Willy Collins: Future of controversial Sheffield memorial still in doubt as monument divides opinion

As discussions continue between Sheffield Council and the family which installed the 35 ton giant memorial continue, city residents have had their say – with some saying the feature in Shiregreen Cemetery should be removed or scaled down, with others saying it is the perfect tribute to a popular family man.

The memorial hit the headlines around the world when it was unveiled in March to mark the final resting place of Willy Collins, who was known to many as 'the King of Sheffield’.

The 49-year-old was the patriarch of a traveller family, one of 16 siblings and had around 400 nieces and nephews as well as his own children and grandchildren.

The dad-of-nine collapsed and died during a holiday with his family in Majorca in July 20220.

His funeral was one of the most extravagant ever witnessed in Sheffield. His gold plated casket was taken to his final resting place in a horse drawn carriage, and was followed along the streets of Sheffield by a procession including 40 Rolls-Royce cars.

His grave plot is equally as lavish, featuring two life-sized statues of the bare-knuckle boxer’s six-foot-two frame, four flagpoles, depictions of Jesus Christ and biblical scenes. It also has a solar-powered jukebox playing his favourite tracks.

The monument is lit up in LED lights that change colour and is under 24-hour CCTV monitoring. A security firm also guards the memorial.

Talks between the city council and Willy’s family began after the memorial was found to have breached guidelines. The family insist they have planning permission but the council says dimensions have been breached.

Willy’s widow, Kathleen, said there would be ‘war’ if the memorial was taken down or damaged by the council.

Posting on social media, one city resident said: “Due to the length of time it’s taking, I think the council are hoping it will just go away and be forgotten.”

One man added: “If every one starts this fad there will be no space for anyone else who passes away. Apart from it being a gross monstrous memorial it's also very selfish.”

Another posted: “It didn't go up overnight, this took some constructing. Why on earth wasn't owt said while they were building it? Then they could have halted it. Monstrosity.”

One woman posted: “When other families build bigger more ostentatious graves for their family members the council will wish they stepped in earlier.”

But some believe the monument should stay.

One woman posted: “I don’t see the problem, it’s not hurting anything or anyone, it’s lovely tbh.”

Another added: “I was up there a few days ago. It does look beautiful as some of the other traveller's graves too.”

One woman described the monument as ‘amazing’.

Earlier this month, Councillor Richard Williams, Chairman of Sheffield Council’s Communities, Park and Leisure Policy Committee, said: “We are still trying to achieve an agreed position with the Collins family over the future of the memorial. Until then, it is not appropriate for us to comment further on this matter.”