The first three images on this page show the metal armature being moved into the gallery by sculptor Mike Talbot (dark top) and Sproson Fund campaigner John Simmonds. The aramture is used to support the clay as it is applied and can be subtly repositioned to alter the pose if Mike feels its necessary.

The armature, seen on the left with Mike, forms the skeleton of the model, allowing Mike to subtley alter the pose of Roy as he goes along. The next step of the operation is to clad the armature with foam - this is to reduce the weight of the model, as once the modelling clay is applied the entire structure will weigh in at around a quarter of a ton!

The pictures below show the armature fully 'clayed up' and looking something like a Port Vale legend. As the pictures show, Roy has still to be 'dressed' with kit and boots - these are added when Mike feels that the pysique is anatomically correct and the pose has the correct balance and power.

This is what the Sproson Fund was started for. The original idea for honouring our longest serving player in a manner befitting his loyalty and longevity was to erect a statue in his honour which would dominate the air in the same way Roy used to in his pomp. Sculptor Mike Talbot's idea was to have Roy posed in action, heading the ball in a display of power and style. The only thing we needed to do then was to find the money to realise this dream. After what seemed like an eternity the fund had raised the necessary amount to get the first stage of the statue underway - the clay modelling. By the end of this stage we would have a finished mould from which the bronze statue would be cast.

Work commenced at the Moorland Arts Centre, in Leek, as 2005 drew to a close, and would take over six weeks to complete. As the work progressed we kept a pictoral record of the various stages of the modelling process. From metal armature to taking the mould, it's all here for you to see how a legend is made.

Statue Gallery

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