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Bloomer memorial unveiled at Pride Park

Bricklayers employed by Hodgkinson Builders (Midlands) Ltd worked against the clock to complete the plinth that now supports the Pride Park memorial bust to Derby and England soccer legend Steve Bloomer.

Work on the pitchside memorial adjoining the manager's dugout began in December and involved the removal of an extremely thick concrete beam running the length of the plinth base. Then days of frost and extremely cold weather prevented the Hodgkinson team from making any real progress on the brickwork. But, everything was in place for the official opening on January 17.

“We are very proud of our reputation for delivering contracts on time irrespective of the problems we encounter,” said managing director Ian Hodgkinson, a self-confessed Rams fanatic, who is pictured (centre) with foreman bricklayer Paul Fletcher (right) and apprentice Elliott Milner.

“It's a real honour to be asked to work on such a prestigious thing as the Bloomer plinth and being a Rams fan makes it a job I'll never forget,” said Paul.

“There's an awful lot of work gone into this, and using bricks from the original Baseball ground makes it even more special. We're bringing some of the club's past history to Pride Park.”

The bronze bust of Bloomer, created by artist Andrew Edwards, sits just to the right of the home dug-out.

Bloomer was Derby's leading goal-scorer in 15 seasons between 1892 and 1914. He scored 18 hat tricks for the Rams and is still the only Derby player to net six goals in one game.

His England career was no less successful. He scored in his first ten games for his country and still ranks in the top ten all-time leading scorers for England with 28 goals in 23 games.

Bloomer died in 1938 and is buried in Derby's Nottingham Road cemetery.

© Hodgkinson Builders 2009

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