Ilkeston man's construction firm to install commemorative plinth for FA Cup winner

Employees for a construction firm owned by an Ilkeston man have been involved in building a plinth at the home of Derby County FC to commemorate former club winger Reg Harrison.

Bricklayers from Hodgkinson Builders were commissioned to build a five-feet tall brick pillar on which a £10,000 bronze bust of Mr Harrison, created by celebrated sculptor Andy Edwards will sit in Derby County’s main reception.

Before his death in 2020, aged 97, right winger Reg Harrison was the last surviving member of Derby County’s 1946 FA Cup-winning team, which also included the likes of the legendary Jackie Stamps. 

As an even more fitting tribute, the plinth will be built using bricks from the club’s old stadium, the Baseball Ground, which the Derby building firm’s managing director Ian Hodgkinson reclaimed when it was demolished almost 20 years ago.

Company owner Ian, who comes from Ilkeston and describes himself as a “massive Derby fan”, will oversee the work of his bricklaying apprentices alongside his site foreman Jack Smith, also a big fan of the club.

A short building ceremony was scheduled for 3pm on Thursday 11th August once the bust was in place.

Ian, whose company received huge praise from TV viewers after appearing on the first series of Brickies earlier this year, said: “This may not be the biggest job our apprentices have attempted, but it’s one that will hold a very special place in the hearts of Derby County fans for many years to come.

“As a massive Derby fan myself, I’m incredibly proud to be involved in something that commemorates the life of one of the club’s greatest heroes. 

“Fortunately, I still had just enough Baseball Ground bricks left to complete this very important project. I’m so glad I kept hold of them.”

Ian’s company has a long and involved relationship with Derby County. His staff also built the plinth for the Steve Bloomer bust, which takes pride of place next to the home team dug-out, as well as constructing Pride Park stadium’s Lionel Pickering entrance. 

Perhaps most impressively, Hodgkinson Builders also built the base for the stadium’s iconic Brian Clough and Peter Taylor statue – also created by sculptor Andy Edwards – almost 12 years ago.

“That one took about six weeks to complete,” said Ian. “It was quite a big job. Luckily, the Reg Harrison pillar will be done in less than a day!”  

Cash to pay for the Reg Harrison memorial was raised through a crowdfunding initiative by the Rams Memorial Trust, launched after the player’s death nearly two years ago. 

The bust was originally set to be installed at the entrance to Field Lane FC, in Alvaston, Derby, one of the clubs founded by Mr Harrison in 1982. But fears about the security of the expensive sculpture led to a rethink. 

The scenes on August 11th were due to be filmed by BBC documentary makers as they capture the final frames of the second series of Brickies, due to be aired in spring next year.