Source: FOOTYMAD
Emotional Hill speaks of the happiest thing in his life.
One of the best thing ever to happen to him Yesterday Jimmy Hill unveiled his own statue in front of The Ricoh Arena 50 years after he first became involved with Coventry City. There was a tear in his eye as he undid the cord and started the lifting of the cover over the 7' tall bronze statue and the loudspeakers and assembled fans entered into a rendition of the Jimmy Hill penned Sky Blue Song. The statue was funded by donations from fans and former players alike to honour a man who not only revolutionised Coventry City, but professional football as a whole. The warmth from the crowd showed just how much Jimmy Hill still means to Coventry City fans and for what the success he achieved from his arrival as manager in 1961 to his departure as chairman in 1983. Jimmy Hill, now 83 years of age, told reporters that the statue was one of the best things ever to happen to him in his long and varied footballing career. Mr Hill said, “It’s the most fascinating achievement because it’s so different from anything else that’s happened in my life. It is such a lovely feeling for me to know that what I have done here has been respected.” That respect was proved in the crowd that had gathered to witness the great man unveil his statue as they varied in age from the very young to the very old. They were rewarded when Jimmy leapt up to head an imaginary football and then led a rendition of the Sky Blue Song. Jimmy was asked what he thought of the 7' bronze statue and he responded by joking, “I think they should have made the chin just a little bit bigger!” He reminisced about his time at Highfield Road in the 1960's, saying, “It was the happiest thing in my life. I enjoyed the company of my players, they are in my mind very special people." “There are times when I think how much I love them because of the time we spent together.” One of Jimmy's players, striker Bobby Gould, who later went on to manage the club himself said, “The statue’s beautiful, impeccable, and the sun is shining. That says it all really. Sometimes you see statues that don’t look like the person, but this has caught him perfectly.”
