Pat Jennings: Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper says statue means 'everything'
- Published
Watch: Pat Jennings statue unveiled in Newry
Pat Jennings says it means "everything" to him after a statue in his honour was unveiled in Newry on Wednesday.
The legendary Northern Ireland goalkeeper praised the statue as "unbelievable" and "fantastic".
Jennings played 119 times for Northern Ireland and won the the FA Cup with both Tottenham and Arsenal, and the Uefa Cup with Spurs in 1972.
"That's the first I've seen it. It's unbelievable, what a fantastic job," Jennings said of the statue.
When asked what it meant, Jennings said: "Everything really. It's something I've never even dreamed of, [I] thought it was something that happened to other people but would never happen to me.
"It's just a brilliant occasion to have this back in my home city."
The bronze statue, which depicts Jennings throwing the ball, was unveiled on Wednesday on Kildare Street at 11:45 GMT.
Among those in attendance were former Northern Ireland players Billy Hamilton and Gerry Armstrong, ex-Tottenham captain Ledley King and former Arsenal and Republic of Ireland midfielder Liam Brady.
"It's a fantastic turnout," he added. "I didn't really realise that I reached out to so many people."
'Feeling a bit better'
Jennings' family attended the unveiling on Kildare Street in Newry
Jennings attended the unveiling after taking ill when attending Tottenham's game against Chelsea on Monday.
The 78-year-old was taken to hospital for tests, which came back clear, and he was later discharged.
"I'm hopefully feeling a bit better," said Jennings.
"I wish I knew what happened to me but I've had all the check-ups and everything came up good, so no worries about that."
Jennings' club career included winning five trophies with Tottenham and Arsenal in addition to being named the 1976 Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Player of the Year in 1973.
Jennings' total of 119 caps was a record for the Northern Ireland men's team until he was surpassed by current captain Steven Davis in October 2020.
He won his first cap in 1964 at the age of 18 in a match against Wales alongside fellow debutant George Best.
Jennings played for Northern Ireland at the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, making the final appearance of his 22-year international career in a 3-0 defeat by Brazil at the latter tournament in Mexico.
He became a CBE in the New Year Honours in 2022 for his contribution to football and charity having become an MBE in 1976.
Jennings hailed the quality of the statue and said he was touched by the "fantastic" turnout for the unveiling
