Sir Alex set to join Denis Law at November statue unveiling

A statue of Scottish footballing legend and charity patron Denis Law will be unveiled to the public next month.

The proud Aberdonian is expected to be joined by his friend and fellow footballing royalty Sir Alex Ferguson at the event on November 18.

The statue will be situated next to the newly renovated Provost Skene’s House in Aberdeen city centre. Both Sir Alex and Denis are prominent in the new visitor attraction having scaled unbelievable heights in football.

Denis Law, patron of Denis Law Legacy Trust, is Scotland’s equal record goalscorer and still the only Scotsman to win the famous Ballon d’Or trophy – being voted European’s best footballer. His rise from Printfield in Aberdeen to top of the world at Manchester United and Scotland is befitting of his nickname, The King.

Sir Alex Ferguson is widely regarded as Britain’s greatest ever manager having won the European Cup Winners Cup and subsequent European Super Cup with Aberdeen before unprecedented success at Manchester United.

Both stars feature heavily in the Hall of Heroes inside Provost Skene’s House as well as in the Sporting Champions category where memorabilia from their careers are displayed.

The cost and erection of the "Legend" statue, which shows the footballer in an iconic arms-raised pose, has been met by Denis Law Legacy Trust and the city's Common Good Fund. It was sculpted by Alan Herriot.

Denis Law said: "I am honestly humbled that a statue is to be erected in the heart of my beloved home city. Aberdeen and the people of Aberdeen mean everything to me.

"This is truly a huge privilege and I would like to thank Aberdeen City Council and Denis Law Legacy Trust for honouring me in such a manner.”

David Suttie, Trustee, Denis Law Legacy Trust, said: "The Trust is delighted the statue of Denis Law is to be erected in the city centre at Marischal Square, close to Provost Skene’s House and in eyesight of King Robert the Bruce.

"Denis Law is known throughout the world as ‘The King’ so this means that Aberdeen will have a fabulous tourist attraction in the heart of the city – the two Kings of Aberdeen. We are anticipating that both Denis and Sir Alex Ferguson will be involved in the ceremony.”

Councillor Ryan Houghton, convener of the City Growth and Resources Committee, said: "Denis Law is a truly inspirational figure, who transcends his sport and is held in the deepest regard and affection by the people of Aberdeen.

"The honour would be ours in welcoming Denis and Sir Alex to the city, where they have done so much to further Aberdeen's success and our standing in the world. The council is delighted to be supporting this project."

The legacy of Denis Law is already well represented within Aberdeen through Denis Law Legacy Trust and its successful Streetsport initiative, ran in partnership with Robert Gordon University, as well as the Trust’s thriving Cruyff Courts in partnership with Aberdeen City Council.

Streetsport is the Trust’s flagship programme and aims to improve the lives of young people through sport and creative endeavour in areas of Aberdeen that need supported most. The programme attracts hundreds of young attendees every week throughout the city.

The Cruyff Courts, built in collaboration with Aberdeen City Council and the Cruyff Foundation, enable children to play on free, unbookable, high-quality astro pitches at any time in the heart of their communities.

Both Denis Law and Sir Alex Ferguson have been awarded Freedom of the City, with more than 15,000 people lining Union Street to greet Denis Law when he received the honour in 2017.

More: Aberdeen City Council