A bronze statue of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa was spotted in Harrogate today.
Fans stopped to take pictures with the 75kg sculpture on West Park — which sat on a bronze version of Bielsa’s trademark bucket.
The statue was commissioned by Leeds fan Tony Clark and constructed in Bali, Indonesia. He estimates it cost over £50,000 to build and transport it to Yorkshire.
Fans can pay £10 to enter a raffle for the chance to keep the statue, with the draw being made by Leeds’ star midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
All money raised will go to the mental health charity Mind, a charity close to Tony’s heart after he was caught up in the 2002 Bali bombings.
Tony said:
“It’s my gift to Leeds for what they’ve given me”
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Tony has been driving the statue around Yorkshire on the back of a pick-up truck. He said it was important to bring it to the people of Harrogate because “that’s what Bielsa is all about.”
He added:
“When he first came to Leeds, you just knew there was something good there. It’s been immense, it’s been electric”.
He said the Harrogate public have largely welcomed the statue — however, there have been some unkind comments from Manchester United supporters.