Harry Kane Statue Unveiled - Seeking Its Perfect Pitch in Londons Landscape
The long-awaited unveiling of a statue dedicated to footballer Harry Kane, first commissioned in 2019, has finally come to light, though the sculpture remains tucked away from public view.
Initially approved by Waltham Forest Council in north-east London half a decade ago, plans for the tribute to the Chingford-born athlete were set in motion, with the project's expenses totaling over £7,200. Despite its completion in 2020, the statue has yet to grace a public space.
Recent images, offer a glimpse of the statue for the first time. In the depiction, Kane is seated on a bench, clad in full England attire, with a football resting on his lap.
Numerous efforts have been made to find a suitable location for the statue's display, all of which have thus far proved fruitless. Initial proposals suggested placing the statue at Chingford Overground station, but these were thwarted following a risk assessment by Transport for London. Similarly, a plan to position it in Ridgeway Park, where Kane honed his skills as a youth, was abandoned after council members dismissed the idea.
In February, Councillor Emma Best lamented the considerable time and effort spent in pursuit of a suitable site for the statue. A spokesperson for the Bayern Munich striker expressed ongoing enthusiasm for the statue's unveiling, expressing hope that it would find its place in the public eye in the near future.
The spokesperson remarked that it was especially significant considering Harry's status as England and Tottenham’s all-time top goal scorer. They noted the importance of the statue's location, acknowledging the challenges faced, but expressing optimism that they would eventually find the right place for it.
Despite a recent injury scare while playing for Bayern Munich, Kane managed to join the England squad for international duty, confirming his availability for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium as part of their preparations for Euro 2024 in Germany this summer.