Even by its rich traditions he was one of the finest footballers ever produced by Scotland.
Now a campaign is under way to build a statue to Billy Bremner, former proud captain of his country and Leeds United.
A statue of the legendary midfielder, still known for his never-say-die attitude, has stood proudly outside Elland Road, the home of Leeds United, for some years.
But the current campaign is for a similar accolade to be built in his home town of Raploch, Stirling.
The campaign is backed by the Scottish Football Supporters Association, in partnership with Leeds United Supporters Groups and Raploch Community Council. Others supporting the initiative are the University of Stirling, Stirling Community Enterprise, Tartan Army Magazine and Stirling Council.
UK artist Kenny Hunter has been selected as the chosen artist for a statue to be commissioned honouring Bremner in the town he grew up.
It is hoped that the memorial would be positioned near to where he grew up on Weir Street, round the corner from the Raploch Community Campus near Stirling.
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SFSA Project Manager Alexander Gibb said, “It is an honour to be working closely with an artist of Kenny’s prestige and we cannot wait to support Kenny in his vision of Billy Bremner.”
Gibb added, “Leeds and Stirling are two great cities in which Billy Bremner is revered. While he has been immortalised in Leeds, it is about time Bremner is further recognised north of the border in his hometown. It is an honour to be part of the project commemorating the man voted as ‘Scotland’s Greatest Ever Captain.”
Further comment comes from Professor Richard Haynes of Stirling University, who added, “We were very proud to work with the local community on the cultural heritage project about Bremner. We are delighted to be working with Kenny, the SFSA and other partners to take the development of a memorial of Bremner in his hometown to the next stage.
"It is an honour that is more than rightful for a man of Billy Bremner’s stature.”
Life-long LUFC fan Heidi Haigh, who has written numerous books about the club and still watches every game, told this site, “Billy Bremner is the greatest Leeds United player I have ever seen and he will always be my hero. Part of the great Don Revie side, he instilled in me the love and loyalty of supporting my team through thick and thin. He always gave 110% and was worth his weight in gold on the pitch scoring vital goals for us.
“Being part of the group raising money for a statue of him in his home town of Raploch in Stirling, is an honour and I'm looking forward to the day that our efforts see the completion of the project,” added Yorkshire-based Heidi, who is one of those behind the statue campaign.
A spokesman for the campaign said, “This is only the beginning of the Billy Bremner memorial project. Over the next year there will be fundraising events to reach the minimum value required to be able to erect the statue, while any excess funds will be redistributed via community projects in Stirling.”
Regarded as one of the game's great midfielders, Bremner combined precision passing skills with tenacious tackling and physical stamina. He played for the great Don Revie Leeds side from 1959 to 1976, serving as captain from 1965, in one of the most successful periods in the club's history, including an infamous European Cup Final in Paris in 1975.
In his midfield position, Bremner became a "fiery midfield dynamo" whose "tireless energy" made him a natural leader on the field, always spurring his team on to greater effort.
In its Hall of Fame dedication to him, the National Football Museum said: "His priceless precision passing, stamina and skill led him to become a Leeds United legend and one of the game's greatest midfielders".
Sadly, Bremner died at the very young age of just 54 in 1997.
In 2007, a Sunday Times article described Bremner as "10 stone of barbed wire" due to his tenacity and tough tackling. He later went on to manage his beloved Leeds, leading them to an FA Cup semi final appearance.
His statue directly outside the Leeds United ground is often festooned with scarves and other memorabilia and has been something of a “shrine” to someone widely regarded as one of the greatest British players ever.
As part of the costs of the statue a raffle is being held where all profits will go towards the fundraising of the statue. The organizers are looking for businesses or individuals to donate prizes towards it. Anyone interested should send a message to Heidi Haigh through the contact form on her website.
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