Football fans have hit out at a statue of England captain Harry Kane – commissioned five years ago – mocking it as ‘the stuff of nightmares’.
In honour of the Walthamstow-born striker, it was announced in 2019 that ward councillors in Waltham Forest Council had agreed plans to erect a piece of art in recognition of his feats.
Now, in pictures obtained by The Big Issue, fans have been treated to a first-look at the statue.
The FC_E wrote on X, formerly Twitter: ‘Does any professional footballer have a decent statue? Why do they all look so bad. I doubt Harry Kane is happy with this.’
The statue of England captain Harry Kane – which was commissioned five years ago – has been pictured for the very first time
Photos showed how councillors initially planned for the statue to be situated inside a park
Councillors in Waltham Forest have struggled to find a suitable place for Kane’s sculpture
Mollie Goodfellow wrote: ‘Why does he have a goatee?’
COPA90 added: ‘Waltham Forest Council’s £7,200 Harry Kane statue is the stuff of nightmares’
Another mocking tweet compared the statue to a still from US animated sitcom King Of The Hill
Mollie Goodfellow wrote: ‘Why does he have a goatee?’
Ben Dallimore tweeted: ‘Harry Kane has a statue?’
Project Football EPL posted: ‘Waltham Forest Council spent £7,200 on a Harry Kane statue in 2019, it’s been in storage ever since. Why’s his head so big?’
COPA90 added: ‘Waltham Forest Council’s £7,200 Harry Kane statue is the stuff of nightmares.’
In his full England kit, Kane’s sculpture – which remains in storage – shows the Bayern Munich star sat on a bench with a football in his lap.
Further photos released by The Big Issue showed how councillors envisioned placing within Ridgeway Park – however that never came to fruition.
It was then planned for the statue to be installed on a platform at Chingford Overground station – but they were shelved following a risk assessment carried out by Transport for London.
Emma Best, the Conservative councillor for Chingford’s Endlebury ward who approved the project, claimed that they’d had spent ‘hours and hours’ trying to find a home for the artwork.
A spokesperson for Kane, 30, said they were ‘really excited’ about the statue and hope it is unveiled ‘in the coming months’.
‘Especially with Harry being England and Tottenham’s all time top goal scorer. It is what he deserves,’ the spokesperson said.
‘The location of the statue is really important to us and like Emma said we are having some issues at the moment, but when we get it right, we will be happy to go.’
In a statement to Mail Sport, a Waltham Forest Council spokesperson said: ‘Community Ward Funding projects are suggested by residents and approved by ward councillors, who lead on communications around ward funding opportunities and the delivery of projects or events that receive funding.
‘Each year there is clear guidance on what can and cannot receive Community Ward Funding, dependent on the corresponding theme.
‘All ward councillors must unanimously approve projects to receive Community Ward Funding. Councillors must follow the guidance provided to them, which is reviewed each year.’
A close-up of the statue shows off the likeness between the sculpture and the England star
A spokesperson for Kane insisted they were ‘really excited’ for the statue and it’s unveiling
Kane was seen reporting for England duty on Tuesday afternoon, as the England captain continues to deal with an ankle injury.
During Bayern Munich’s 5-2 win at Darmstadt on Saturday, the Three Lions skipper suffered the injury after colliding with the goal-post during the match.
Just two days later, the 30-year-old had a scan on the ankle and has since joined up with his international team-mates at St George’s Park.
England have friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, before warm-up games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in June, but it’s yet to be seen what Kane’s involvement will be.
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