North East Statues

Alongside George Hardwick’s statue at the Riverside is the “Golden Boy” Wilf Mannion, perhaps Middlesbrough’s greatest ever player (at least in the conversation with a certain Little Fella).

Mannion was – like Hardwick – an England international. He scored over 100 goals in over 300 games for the club, and the mention of his name is still the leading cause of misty-eyedness in people of a certain age from the Boro area.

Tom Maley’s bronze statue was unveiled next to Hardwick on the 16th October 2000, right outside the salvaged Ayresome Park gates.

Thanks again to Ian Stubbs for providing the modern day photos of the piece.