A rare sculpture of Derby County legend Dave Mackay has been saved for the city – and Rams fans -thanks to a lifelong club devotee.
Neil Bennett, 54, paid £2,500 for the work of art when it went under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, more than three times its £500-£800 estimate. But for him the price was unimportant – it was something ‘he just had to do’ to honour the team’s history.
When the hammer fell, Neil, who went to his first Rams game at the age of eight in 1976, was so overwhelmed he admitted, ‘I cried my eyes out’.
The civil servant, from Spondon, said: “I couldn’t go to the auction because I work away but I managed to watch it online. When the bidding reached £2,200, I honestly thought I’d lost it. When the hammer fell at £2,500 and I realised I’d won it, I couldn’t believe it.
“It was so important to me to save this sculpture for Derby. It was something I needed to do for the history of the club. I wanted to keep it in Derby and put it on public display. I want people to see it and remember Dave Mackay and the other legendary players from the 1970s like Kevin Hector, Roy McFarland, Alan Hinton, Roger Davies and John O’ Hare. I want to give something back to these men because they put Derby on the map.
“It’s not about the money, it’s about the pride and joy of owning something that’s part of Derby County’s history. I didn’t want someone to buy it and stick it in a cupboard.”
The 2ft-high Mackay maquette, one of only six, was made as a preliminary model before a full-size sculpture of the player known as ‘The Rock’ was made for Pride Park Stadium. It was commissioned by the club following Mackay’s death at the age of 80 in 2015.
The maquettes were made by Garry McBride, 68, a fellow lifelong Rams fan from Quarndon, Derbyshire, and owner of Monumental Icons. He made the moulds for the Mackay sculpture and decided to auction one of the maquettes to raise money for Derby County Community Trust.
“It’s turned out to be a win-win for the charity because as well as getting the money from the sale I’ve arranged for the sculpture to go on display in their offices,” said Neil. “I also plan to display it at an annual charity cricket match I arrange for the trust at Spondon Cricket Club on July 17 and at Pride Park celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of Derby becoming Football League Division 1 Champions in 1972.”
Garry said: “I’m really pleased with the auction result. I’m so happy the maquette has gone to a true Derby County fan. Plus, the money raised will help the trust with their invaluable work in the community.
“I knew the maquette would be priceless to the right person. It’s made out of exactly the same material as the sculpture at Pride Park, black granite. It was designed to look as if Mackay was hewn out of rock because his nickname was ‘The Rock’.
“I made the original moulds for the sculpture and the maquette. I didn’t tell anyone at the time but I made six maquette replicas. At the grand unveiling of the Dave Mackay sculpture in 2015 I took them along as a surprise. I presented one to Roy McFarland, one to the club and one to Dave Mackay’s wife. She burst into tears when I gave it to her.
“The event was attended by Derby County legends so, while I was there, I asked them to sign the oak backing on the maquette which was auctioned. Signatures include Charlie George, Kevin Hector, Alan Hinton, Roy McFarland and Steve Powell.
“I made the replicas as a record for myself. No others can be made because the mould has been destroyed.”
Dave Mackay’s daughter Val, who lives in Nottingham, supported the sale. She said: “Dad adored Derby – the club, the fans and the people. As a family, we’re pleased the sale of the sculpture will benefit Derby County Community Trust.”
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons and a Rams fan, said: “What a great result for this Mackay sculpture – a perfect happy ending. Neil’s determination to buy the object for the fans and the city demonstrates the deep devotion of Derby County supporters at a time when the club is facing one of the most difficult times in its history. The club is integral to the city and its community. Derby County fans are proud their club is a founder member of the Football League.
“Mackay represents glory days in the Rams’ history from the late 1960s to the mid-70s when they rose to become the best team in the land. This maquette celebrates that history.”
Pete Collins, Business Development Manager at Derby County Community Trust, was delighted by the auction result. “It really is a case of the club’s history supporting the community’s future.”
Edinburgh-born Mackay (1934-2015) made 122 appearances for Derby from 1968-71. He was 33 when Brian Clough and Peter Taylor signed him for £5,000 at the start of the 1968-69 season. He came fresh from spending nine years at Spurs, another club where he gained legendary status.
Clough used Mackay in a sweeping role and encouraged him to use his influence to turn defence into attack. In his first season at the Baseball Ground, Mackay helped the club gain promotion to the First Division and was named FWA Footballer of the Year. Mackay was Derby’s manager from 1973-76 and guided the Rams to the League Division 1 title in 1975.
He represented Scotland 22 times and was selected for their 1958 FIFA World Cup squad. He is listed by the Football League in their ‘100 Legends’ as well as being an inaugural inductee to both the English and Scottish Football Halls of Fame.
The Mackay maquette was sold in Hansons Auctioneers’ March 23 Football and Sporting Auction at Etwall Auction Centre, Derbyshire. Items are invited for the next sports sale. To arrange a free valuation, email David Wilson-Turner: [email protected].
