The Tom Finney "Splash" Statue

Image: © Rude Health Taken: 2 Mar 2012

Tom Finney spent the best part of 20 years playing for the Club in the 1940's and 50's. A local plumber by trade, he was seen as one of the most, if not the, complete footballer of his generation. Able to shoot with either foot and have the ability to play anywhere along the forward line, he was endeared by the Preston fans and many around the country. He spent his entire career at Preston before retiring in 1960. However in terms of honours he had little to show for his time at Deepdale, with the Club finishing twice runners up in Division One and narrowly being defeated by West Bromwich Albion in the 1954 FA Cup final. He was though capped 76 times by England. Always a true gentleman. The statue unveiled in July 2004, was inspired by a photo taken at the Chelsea v Preston game played in 1956. After a large downpour before kick off, parts of the pitch were covered in water, but the game was still allowed to start. Whilst with the ball and having just got around a defender Finney ended up in one of the pools of water. A photographer captured the moment and the photo later won the 'Sports Photograph Of The Year Award'. The statue sculpted by Peter Hodkinson, pays tribute to the player and that 'splash' moment. It is certainly more imaginative to any other footballing statue so far unveiled around the country.

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