A HIGHLAND League football club has gone viral on social media after unveiling a controversial William Wallace statue at its ground.
Brechin City have installed the so-called “Freedom” sculpture – based on a likeness of Mel Gibson in Braveheart – at Glebe Park.
The artwork, officially called the Spirit of Wallace, was created by local man Tom Church and has long sparked debate.
It was targeted by vandals during a decade at the Wallace Monument in Stirling before being put into storage for several years.
The statue has now found a new home at Glebe Park, with Brechin City unveiling the new landmark in a ceremony on Sunday.
BRAVEHEART STATUE UNVEILING
— Brechin City FC (@BrechinCityFC) September 6, 2021
We were delighted to host the unveiling of the Braveheart Statue yesterday afternoon at its new home at Glebe Park.
It was brilliant to see the community of all ages turn out in numbers to support the event.
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/Oag5KIUXha pic.twitter.com/Dj84pzsKJs
STV newsreader and Brechiner Andrea Brymer was invited to the do the honours in front of a small crowd at the stadium.
The club said: “The sun and crowds came out for a fantastic day to honour the craftsmanship of Brechiner Tommy Church and it was brilliant to see the community of all ages turn out in numbers to support the event.”
READ MORE: How Italy reacted to The National's Euro 2020-Braveheart front page
However, the sculpture has once again sparked debate among the public, with many onlookers less than impressed.
Actor Iain Robertson commented: “This statue used to be at the foot of the Wallace monument – & I think they had to encase it, because folk kept damaging it. Probably because it’s an awful statue in so very many ways!”
This statue used to be at the foot of the Wallace monument - & I think they had to encase it, because folk kept damaging it. Probably because it’s an awful statue in so very many ways! https://t.co/dPk1Kt9vW0
— Iain Robertson (@IainR0bertson) September 6, 2021
Former BBC journalist Hasan Patel wrote: “Arguably the worst statue I have seen but it is getting a lot of traction so kudos to the person who designed it.”
Former Better Together chief Blair McDougall added: “The thing I love about this nomadic unwanted statue is that it’s *not* a statue of Wallace. It’s a statue of Mel Gibson.”
The thing I love about this nomadic unwanted statue is that it’s *not* a statue of Wallace. It’s a statue of Mel Gibson. https://t.co/f0Z8GauNaJ
— Blair McDougall (@blairmcdougall) September 6, 2021
Others seemed to see the statue in a different light.
“Absolutely fantastic,” Twitter user Paul Kitson wrote.
John McDougall added: “He looks happy to be there. Can he play centre half?”
Journalist Otto English, with just a hint of sarcasm, replied: “It is a classic. We'd miss it if it was lost to us.”
It is a classic. We'd miss it if it was lost to us. https://t.co/kuXv4h5MX3
— Otto English (@Otto_English) September 6, 2021
Let us know what you think of the artwork in the comments.
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