Leeds United have made a decision over the campaign to honour Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson with a statue at the ground after the legendary manager received a prestigious honour.
Howard Wilkinson is the only manager other than the legendary Don Revie to deliver the First Division title to Leeds, having steered the club to glory in the 1991/92 season.
Having initially joined Leeds from Sheffield Wednesday in October 1988, Wilkinson led the team back into the top-flight after a period of wilderness in the Second Division.
Wilkinson also led Leeds to a League Cup final in 1996, where they suffered a heartbreaking defeat against Aston Villa, which signalled the beginning of the end of his reign.
Now, the club have decided to back the campaign for a permanent tribute to Wilkinson at Elland Road, after it was announced that he would be inducted into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame.
Howard Wilkinson looks on during Middlesbrough vs Leeds United
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Leeds United back Howard Wilkinson statue campaign
According to an official Leeds United statement, the club will throw its support behind the campaign for a permanent statue to Wilkinson at Elland Road.
Fans founded the Wilko92 campaign with the aim of building a statue at the ground to honour the last Leeds manager to win the title with the club.
Now, following the announcement that Wilkinson will be inducted into the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame, the club have confirmed that it will support the Wilko92 Campaign for a permanent tribute to the iconic manager.
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The statement reads: “Leeds United are also delighted to announce support for the Wilko92 Campaign to permanently honour Howard Wilkinson with a statue at Elland Road.
“Launched earlier this year and having already made a fantastic start to fundraising efforts, the club will now actively work with The Wilko92 Campaign to ensure Howard’s legacy is truly remembered.”
Leeds United Division One Champions 1991/92
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Statue is a fitting tribute to a legendary Leeds United manager
There are two prominent statues outside Elland Road, one of legendary club captain Billy Bremner outside the South East corner of the ground, and one to Don Revie, saluting the East Stand with his fist clenched.
Inside Elland Road, there are further tributes to the Revie Era, with the Don Revie Stand, the Jack Charlton Stand, the Norman Hunter Stand and the John Charles Stand paying homage to the giants of Leeds’ past.
However, the lack of tributes to Leeds’ last title-winning side will finally be addressed with the addition of a tribute to Wilkinson.
It is a fitting tribute to the man who took Leeds back to the pinnacle of English football, after years spent in the doldrums following the dissolution of Revie’s great side, and set Leeds up for the successes of the early 2000s with his work to modernise the youth set-up.
If there is any single figure from Leeds United’s modern history who deserves a lasting tribute at Elland Road, it is Wilkinson.