Steve Bloomer Bust project gets underway
Last updated : 22 August 2008 By Rams Mad Editor
The Steve Bloomer project took a giant step forward toward completion today, as a giant painting of the Rams Super Star was sold and presented to Ian Hodgkinson of Hodgkinson's builders.
Ian had paid £857 for the original painting produced by Andy Edwards, an artist from Stoke On Trent who has an International reputation in sculpture and will be producing the Bronze bust of Steve Bloomer to be unveiled at Pride Park in January 2009.
Presenting the painting to Mr Hodgkinson was Derby County CEO and President, Tom Glick. Mr Glick was pleased that the painting will be going to a real Rams supporter and the money raised will help in the cost of the large bust to be sited within Pride Park.
Hodgkinson's builders will also be helping with the plinth on which the bronze bust will stand and bricks from the Baseball Ground will be used as part of that structure, linking both the Baseball Ground and Pride Park, the two homes of Derby County.
Fund raising for the financing of the bronze bust is still in operation and in the next few weeks it is hoped that a collection will take place outside Pride Park on match days. Fans who wish to help with the collection are most welcome and can contact us at
Derby-county-mad@fsmail.net Fans who would like to see for themselves the preparation of the model of the bust prior to casting should be able to come down to Pride Park and See Andy Edwards in action in the coming weeks, (details to follow) already a superb scale model to give an idea of the finished article has been produced in clay and discussions on a site within the ground took place today.
Pictures taken at the presentation and afterwards inside Pride Park Stadium can be seen below.
 | The painting of Steve Bloomer is handed over to Ian Hodgkinson. People left to right are, Andy Edwards (artist), Tom Gick (Rams President and CEO), Ian Hayes (Steve Bloomer Project member) and Ian Hodgkinson (Businessman, builder and life long Rams fan who paid £857 for the painting) |
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 | Andrew Edwards signs his lifelike painting of Steve Bloomer in the offices of Hodgkinson's Builders. The painting will now be going on the boardroom wall of the Pride Park Company |
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 | Outside Pride Park this time as Tom Glick poses with Ian Hadgkinson and Ian Hayes for more photographs of a memorable day for Mr Hodgkinson and The Steve Bloomer Project. |
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 | "Steve Bloomer's watching", so the song goes as his painting takes one last look at the pristine carpet of grass at Pride Park. His bronze bust meanwhile will soon be appearing at the stadium... |
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