Leeds Rhinos to reveal Headingley's long-awaited John Holmes statue

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
In 131 years of sporting history there has never been a statue at Emerald Headingley Stadium, until this weekend.

A sculpture of the Leeds club’s greatest servant, local lad John Holmes will be unveiled on Sunday, in front of Headingley’s South Stand.

The bronze figure has been sculpted by Steve Winterburn, who created the rugby league statue which has been in place at Wembley Stadium since 2015.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Eight feet high, the statue is solid bronze and stands on a two-foot Yorkshire stone plinth, with a commemorative plaque.

John Holmes celebrates Leeds' Wembley victory over St Helens in 1978. Picture by Steve Riding.John Holmes celebrates Leeds' Wembley victory over St Helens in 1978. Picture by Steve Riding.
John Holmes celebrates Leeds' Wembley victory over St Helens in 1978. Picture by Steve Riding.

The cost of around £110,000 was raised partly by public subscription and through private donations via the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.

One of the club’s all-time greats, Holmes, from Kirkstall, made his Leeds debut as a 16-year-old in 1968.

A one-club man until he hung up his boots in 1990, Holmes’ record of 625 appearances for Leeds - which included 19 finals, all but - is unlikely ever to be broken.