Fans attending Sunday’s game against Arsenal at Goodison Park will have noticed change under way on Goodison Road – with work having begun to install a statue celebrating Everton Giants Alan Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey.

Everton Fans’ Forum has worked closely with the Club to create and locate the new statue, which will be unveiled at the end of the season.

The artwork will sit on Goodison Road, with the pavement outside St Luke's Church on Goodison Road extended to accommodate it – meaning that no matter which road fans use on that side of the ground, they will get a glimpse of at least one member of the legendary Blues trio.  

The figures of the three Everton greats will be mounted on a triangular bronze base, set against re-used cobbles from the existing street to reference how the area looked when the trio played at the Club in the 1960s and ‘70s. 

The statue has been sculpted by Tom Murphy, who also created the Club’s statue of Dixie Dean.

Ball, Kendall and Harvey were widely regarded as the best England midfield trio of the late 1960s and early ‘70s and were integral members of the team which brought Everton league title glory in 1970.

Harvey joined Everton as an apprentice in 1960. Ball signed from Blackpool in 1966 – the same year he was part of England’s World Cup-winning side – while Kendall joined from Preston North End a year later. 

After success on the pitch, Kendall and Harvey went on to become the most successful managerial team in Everton’s history, leading the Club to two league titles (1984-85 and 1986-87), an FA Cup (1984) and winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1985. Ball left for Arsenal in 1971 – his £220,000 transfer fee breaking the British record.

Ball passed away in 2007 and Howard Kendall in 2015. 

Colin Harvey was invited to view initial model versions last year. He said at the time: “Without a doubt it is, and it will be, great for my grandson to come and see it when it’s ready. The only regret is that the other two aren’t here to share the honour.”

Gary Evans, Chair of the Everton Fans’ Forum said: “The idea came about through a combination of things. The iconic image of Ball, Kendall and Harvey used on the main stand got fans talking about their successes and when Howard Kendall sadly passed away, this seemed to galvanise fans and the Club even more to think of a way to honour them.

“The reaction from fans has been really positive. I think that the statue will become a new meeting place for fans before the game.

“Its location means that as people walk toward the ground on the Goodison Road side, no matter which street they use, they should get a glimpse of the statue, and a reminder of our achievements as a club.

“It has been a privilege to be part of this project, honouring three of the Club’s most prestigious players, who our fans rightly view as legends. I can’t wait to see the statue in place.”