Unveiling date for new legends statue confirmed
The unveiling date for the new statue of Coventry City legends George Curtis and John Sillett has been confirmed.
The statue will be unveiled at 1pm on Thursday 17th April at the Coventry Building Society Arena, after a huge fundraising effort by supporters, businesses and benefactors. The current side will face West Bromwich Albion on the next day - Good Friday, 18th April, when the Club will also mark the occasion of the statue unveiling.
The statue has been confirmed as being located in the South-East corner of the Arena, near to the Club’s Ticket Office and backing on to the Singers Corner section of the stadium, with the area to be transformed by the new statue, which will become the new welcome point for many fans to the Arena.
Supporters are welcome to attend the historic unveiling in April, with a number of VIPs expected to attend the unveiling, including both families and stars of Coventry City’s past and the wider football community, as they come together to remember and celebrate the duo that led the Sky Blues to FA Cup glory and had such a huge wider impact on the Club and our City.
George and John would lead the Club to FA Cup triumph in May 1987, beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-2 in a classic final at the old Wembley Stadium. This added to their achievements already at the Club, including as the pair took charge and guided the Club to top flight safety in 1986.
George was a legendary player at the Club – captain and leader in the Sky Blue Revolution of the 60s as the Sky Blues rose through the league, he played a total of 543 games for the Club from 1956 to 1969. Curtis went on to play a hugely influential role behind the scenes at the Sky Blues from 1972 to 1994 in commercial roles and as Managing Director, and George was made a Life President of the Club in 2012. George passed away in July 2021at the age of 82.
John joined City as a player in 1962, and his performances at right-back were instrumental in promotion to Division 2. He left in July 1966 after 128 games, but had spells on the coaching staff in the late 70s and 80s. After being in joint charge, following the 87’ triumph Sillett took sole charge of team affairs, achieving 10th, 7th and 12th place finishes before leaving in November 1990. He would later scout for the Sky Blues, be a matchday host and Life President. John passed away in November 2021 at the age of 85.
The Statue will see the huge achievements of Curtis and Sillett celebrated and is being made by the critically acclaimed UK sculptor Douglas Jennings. Past footballing figures to be immortalised by Douglas include Johnny Haynes, George Cohen and Jack Charlton, and he has also produced statues of other figures including Queen Elizabeth II.
A committee was formed in March 2023 to guide the statue project, which included members of the Curtis and Sillett families, the Club and supporters.
Joe Elliott MBE, the former Coventry City Chairman and chair of the Committee, said:
“We are proud to confirm the unveiling date for the statue of George Curtis and John Sillett.
“Since the Fundraising Appeal was formally launched in January 2024, following earlier donations from a number of generous individuals and businesses, there has been a groundswell of support for this project.
“To see the statue at the Arena will be a proud day for everyone connected to the Club, but most of all for the Curtis and Sillett families, as we recognise and remember the achievements of their loved ones.
“The Club that George and John loved is continuing to make strides forward, and the feel around the Arena is more of home than ever.
“We have a proud history and they are two towering figures, and characters, in it. It is brilliant that they will now be such an important part of the Arena for generations to come.
“On behalf of the Committee I would like to thank everyone who has been involved to get this project to this point, including everyone who donated, Coventry City Football Club and Coventry Building Society Arena. It has been a long journey since our first meeting in March 2023, with the Committee being so dedicated to making this Statue a reality.
“We are all looking forward immensely to 1pm on Thursday 17th April, and I am sure the Sky Blue Army will be out in force for this historic occasion.”
Elliott added:
“I would also like to thank Scott Joyce Builders, who have been getting the foundations of the statue ready, as well as Hewitts Sportsturf for preparing the area and Ainscough Crane Hire, who are providing the crane for the unveiling.
“It has been a real community effort making this statue a reality, bringing together so many people and organisations in celebrating George and John’s immense contribution to the Club and the City.”