Sponsored by
Hillsborough is a great LITTLE ground - PICTURES
IT'S long been considered one of the most historic stadiums in football.
And now Sheffield Wednesday's iconic Hillsborough ground has been captured for all time - in magnificent miniature.
Life-long Owls fan Brendon Oxley has painstakingly created a scale model of the famous old stadium after being inspired by a famous victory.
And it's so impressive officials at the club are to display at the ground the three feet by three and half feet model for all to see.
Brendon, aged 39, a stock handler, of Cottam Road, High Green, spent months building the model from reinforced cardboard.
And to most people it looks perfect in every detail.
But perfectionist Brendon reckons he might make another one . . . because this one isn't quite right.
"Most people that have seen have been amazed," said the dad of three. "But I reckon I can do better.
"There are one or two areas I feel I could improve upon.
"For a start the number of seats on the Kop isn't exactly right and if you look down the gangways into the stand you can't see the concourses."
Brendon doesn't normally make models but said he was inspired to do so by a derby day victory over arch rivals Sheffield United.
"When I saw Wednesday beat United 2-0 last season the stadium was jumping and looked brilliant.
"It just inspired me to have a go at making my very own Hillsborough.
"And once I'd started it sort of took over my life."
First he built the South Stand, then the North, the West and finally the Kop.
Wednesday director Ashley Carson and the club's operation manager John Rutherford were blown away when they saw it.
So much so they asked for his permission to put it on display in the South Stand reception on Saturday November 29 when Wednesday take on Norwich City.
After that it will be moved to the Owls Megastore so all supporters have the opportunity to take a closer look.
Brendon and a friend will be invited to the Norwich match as VIP guests of the club.
Mr Carson said: "Having seen Brendon's model I was very impressed and I think it is excellent that it will be exhibited at Hillsborough so all of our fans can see it.
"Brendon has put in a tremendous amount of effort over several months and the attention to detail shown in the model is quite unbelievable."
Brendon said: "I feel completely honoured that Wednesday are going to display it at the ground.
"My wife Deborah is also pleased it's finished and going - she can have her kitchen back now."
Got a view on this story? Add your comment below.
READ MORE
Main news index
Your letters.
Features
More Rotherham news
More Doncaster news
More Barnsley news
Check out the very latest on South Yorkshire's roads - including live traffic cameras on Sheffield's commuter routes - with our Traffic section
Latest sport.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
