A permanent tribute to Lisbon Lion John Clark is 'set' to be erected in his home village of Chapelhall.
Clark, who passed away last June at the age of 84, made 182 appearances for Celtic and was part of the side that famously defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the 1967 European Cup final.
Born in Chapelhall in 1941, he remained closely connected to the area throughout his life, running several local businesses before later moving to nearby Holytown.
His contribution to the game was formally recognised in 2017 when he was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame. Now, according to Lanarkshire Live, plans are underway to honour his legacy with a bronze statue in the village.
Airdrie South councillor Michael Coyle is leading a community-backed committee working alongside North Lanarkshire Council to deliver the project.
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He is joined by members of Chapelhall’s tenants’ and residents’ association, fellow councillors, and local supporters. Coyle said: “It’s an honour to head up this committee as John is a true Chapelhall and footballing legend.
“Joe Meechan has been running events in the White House Bar in Holytown to raise funds for the statue. The council has also made a financial contribution, and we have support coming from businessmen James Mortimer and Mark Guidi.”
Renowned London-based sculptor Douglas Jennings has been commissioned to create the piece, with the design inspired by an iconic image of Clark lifting the European Cup.
Coyle added: “He has done a prototype design based on a photo of John lifting the European Cup. The statue will be bronze and will sit on a marble plinth.”
The aim is to have the statue completed and installed next year, with a proposed location beside the village’s ‘Welcome to Chapelhall’ sign.
Coyle said: “The community are over the moon and can’t wait for the statue to be erected. John was a very popular guy in Chapelhall and ran several local businesses, so he is very deserving of this permanent tribute.”
