PLANS to honour Tranmere Rovers' legendary manager Johnny King with a statue at Prenton Park will be recommended for approval by Wirral planning committee next week.

If approved the bronze model, designed by Tom Murphy, will be unveiled ahead of Rovers’ League Two fixture against Stevenage at Prenton Park on Saturday, November 1.

The Trust and Liverpool-based Murphy have been working to ensure the monument is a truly fitting tribute to King, who managed Rovers in two spells, from 1975 to 1980 and from 1987 to 1996.

Under him, the club won three promotions, made five trips to Wembley and hammered on the door of the Premier League for three seasons.

Murphy is one of Merseyside's best-known sculptors, with works including some of the region's most iconic sculptures, such as John Lennon, Dixie Dean, Bill Shankly, Billy Fury, Ken Dodd and, most recently, a Hillsbrough Disaster memorial.

Last year King, 75 accompanied his family on a visit to Tom Murphy to see the maquette of a bronze statue that the Tranmere Rovers Supporters Trust is fund-raising to erect outside Prenton Park.

Welcoming news that statue is recommended for approval, Trust chairman Ben Harrison told the Globe: “We’re delighted that the council have supported what we trying to do. The statue has cost about £55,000.

"There are 430 names on the plaque at the base of the statue; no company names, just all names of supporters who have supported our campaign to raise money for the statue. So, it is a real tribute to the Johnny King and the fans.”

Tom Murphy said: "This will be great for Birkenhead and for Tranmere, I think having a sculpture produced is the greatest honour you can have."

A report to be considered by planners next Thursday reads “The statue is to be located outside of the football stadium and relates to the history of the sports ground.”

The application had raised concerns from nearby residents regarding the siting of the statue. There were concerns that the hoardings will detract from the statue or that it would attract vandalism and graffiti.

The report concluded: “The statue reflects the history of the football club. It is hoped it will be repected as part of the history of Wirral."