An award-winning sculptor from Chichester has unveiled detailed plans for a permanent memorial honoring Milan Mandaric, the beloved former owner of Portsmouth Football Club who passed away in Belgrade on Saturday at the age of 87. Vincent Gray, a specialist in figurative sculpture known for his historical commemorative works, has designed a striking tribute that he hopes will receive support from both the club and its devoted fanbase.
Gray's proposed memorial consists of a three-meter bronze bust of Mandaric mounted on an inscribed Portland Stone plinth, designed specifically for installation at Fratton Park. The 65-year-old sculptor, who previously lived in Portsmouth neighborhoods including Farlington and Palmerston Road before relocating to West Sussex, is currently presenting his concept to Portsmouth FC officials. His intimate knowledge of the club and its supporters stems from his years as a local resident and regular attendee at matches.
"Milan turned the club around and was quite a character, loved by all Pompey fans, and I feel he definitely deserves something at Fratton Park to remember him by," Gray told reporters. The sculptor revealed that plans for a Mandaric sculpture had been considered approximately two decades ago, possibly including his own involvement, though those earlier proposals never materialized. Following Mandaric's recent passing, Gray felt compelled to create a new design to honor the influential football executive.
Interestingly, Gray initially considered incorporating Harry Redknapp into the memorial design, recognizing the powerful partnership between the former manager and owner. "I did consider creating a design which also incorporated Harry Redknapp because he is a tour-de-force as well and they were a great partnership. There are lots of images of them together," he explained. However, he ultimately decided to focus solely on commemorating Mandaric.
The sculptor also referenced a previous Mandaric statue that was erected outside St. Mary's Stadium, though he was quick to distance himself from that particular work. "I still remember the Milan Mandaric sculpture which was put up outside St Marys stadium - and that was nothing to do with me! Immediately I saw it was out of proportion and just a matter of time before it was melted down," Gray noted, expressing confidence that his proposed design would avoid similar issues.
Gray's impressive portfolio includes several prominent works currently displayed throughout Chichester. His most notable sculptures include commemorative pieces of poet John Keats, composer Leonard Bernstein, Maurice Patten, and the acclaimed Nelson and Murray group installation. "My most prominent sculpture would be Nelson and Murray in the center of Chichester, while closest to my heart is John Keats, which is also in Chichester," the artist shared.
Currently, Gray is working on a sculpture of Percy Bysshe Shelley destined for display in Horsham, demonstrating his continued focus on literary and historical figures. He was also commissioned to create the West Africa Squadron memorial for Gunwharf Quays, featuring three life-sized figures including a naval officer and two slaves as a tribute to navy personnel who enforced the abolition of slavery. However, that project faced an unexpected setback when Gunwharf management canceled the installation in January, deeming the subject matter "a little too delicate for their clientele."
Gray expressed his enthusiasm about potentially contributing to Portsmouth FC's tribute to Mandaric, stating, "Hopefully it can be organized for Milan to have something at Fratton Park - and I would be delighted to be involved." The sculptor's proposal now awaits consideration from club officials and input from supporters as Portsmouth FC determines how best to honor the memory of the man who played such a crucial role in the club's history.
