Soccer

Pat Jennings statue unveiling in Newry to go ahead despite illness

Pat Jennings won 119 caps for Northern Ireland and represented Spurs between 1964 and 1977 before switching allegiances across north London and joining Arsenal.
Pat Jennings won 119 caps for Northern Ireland and represented Spurs between 1964 and 1977 before switching allegiances across north London and joining Arsenal.

Plans to unveil a statue of Pat Jennings in his home town of Newry will go ahead organisers insist, despite the former Northern Ireland goalkeeper falling ill ahead of the Premier League match between Spurs and Chelsea on Monday night.

The former Tottenham goalkeeper, who played over 550 times for Spurs, collapsed before the feisty encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was taken to hospital for tests.

They all came back clear and Jennings (78) was released shortly before midnight.

Jennings, who won 119 caps for Northern Ireland, represented Spurs between 1964 and 1977 before switching allegiances across north London and joining Arsenal.

He is a regular guest at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Read more:

Ange Postecoglou says ‘we have to accept the referee's decision' after home loss

Pat Jennings: Statue of legendary Arsenal and Spurs goalkeeper to be unveiled in NewryOpens in new window ]

The Friends of Big Pat Committee in Newry remain confident that he will be able to attend Wednesday's unveiling ceremony at Kildare Street in Newry.

In a statement release by the friends of Big Pat Committee, PRO Kevin McAllister said plans to unveil the statue to Pat are still on course.

"Yesterday evening, Pat was feeling unwell as reported in the media, however, he would like to assure his many well wishers and fans that he is ok to continue and after some further rest today, is looking forward to unveiling his statue in his home city of Newry."

The ceremony will take place around 12pm on Wednesday, with people asked to arrive from 11.30am at the Kildare Street site in front of Newry Town Hall.