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Steve Bloomer will literally be watching as Derby County commemorate one of their all-time legends with a special bust at Pride Park Stadium.

The large bronze sculpture will be unique in football as it will sit right next to the home dug-out - seen by thousands of Derby County fans every match-day - and it will be set on a plinth incorporating original bricks from the Baseball Ground.

It is part of the Board of Directors' aim to ensure that the club's legends are recognised and their achievements are not forgotten by the next generations of supporters.

Fans have hailed the announcement as 'breathtaking' and praised the club's ownership for taking the lead on an issue that is close the hearts of the Derby County faithful.

Tom Glick, President and CEO of Derby County, said: "Steve Bloomer is a name that will forever be integral with Derby County Football Club and it's time to give his memory a fitting and lasting tribute.

"We are very proud to lead this project on behalf of supporters past, present and future to ensure that Steve's legacy to football, nationally, internationally and most importantly here in Derby, is never forgotten.

"This is a project inspired by the fans for the fans and we are looking to hear from anyone with ideas to help continue raising vital funds.

"This is your opportunity to become involved with recognising one of the greatest players in this club's long and distinguished history."

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In a further development, fans will be able to see first hand the bust's progress once work gets underway today (Thursday October 9).

It will be on display inside the reception area in the Toyota West Stand at Pride Park Stadium - giving supporters the opportunity to see renowned artist Andrew Edwards produce the Bloomer bust.

He is the man responsible for the striking bronze statues of Sir Stanley Matthews and Gordon Banks at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium and has been chosen for the prestigious project due to his expertise in the field of sports sculpture.

Mr Edwards said: "It is a great honour to be asked by Derby County to work on this bust.

"I have had the privilege to be part of some pretty big projects in the past, but this one is as prestigious as any.

"Steve Bloomer is a giant of football and this tribute will recognise his standing in the game."

Installation work will be carried out by Hodgkinson Builders (Midlands) Ltd, who are based on Royal Scot Road, a stone's throw away from Pride Park Stadium.

Managing director and lifelong Rams fan Ian Hodgkinson donated £857 to the memorial campaign in August to give it a further boost.

He said: "The entire project is breathtaking. It's a first for English football and a very bold statement from the club about their commitment to Derby's proud history and heritage."

Ian Hodgkinson (centre) and Ian Hayes receive the Steve Bloomer painting from Tom Glick.

But the plan remains ongoing with Derby County looking for input from supporters to keep it moving forward.

John Hemsworth, chairman of the Derby County Supporters Club Executive Committee, welcomed the news and is encouraging fans to get behind the club's efforts.

He said: "I know this is a project that is the close the hearts of many of our supporters and I'm sure they will look to back the project in every way possible."

Derby fan Ian Hayes has been one of the driving forces behind the project to commemorate Bloomer.

He said: "I have the greatest respect for the club's owners, who believe that Steve Bloomer is worth honouring.

"The song 'Steve Bloomer's Watching' is sung before every game and now that will become a reality when the bust is placed by the pitch, which I believe is also a first in English football.

"Steve Bloomer was one of the greatest players ever in England, never mind just Derby County, and I think if people got to know more about him they would have even more respect for him and hopefully this bust will be the spur to highlight just how good he was."

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Steve Bloomer biography

Steve Bloomer, one of the greatest players in Derby County's history, was recently inducted into the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame.

The legendary striker scored 332 goals for the Rams in 525 games spread over two spells in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Bloomer, who also scored 28 times in only 23 international games for England, is widely regarded as football's first superstar.

Though born in Worcestershire, Bloomer can be rightly regarded as a true Derbeian, both in the footballing sense and in his life overall.

He was educated in Derby and played his junior football for Derby Swifts in the Derbyshire Minor League before coming to the attention of the Rams.

It took him four competitive games to get off the mark, a penalty in a 1-1 draw at home to West Bromwich Albion on September 24 1892, but he never looked back.

But for a four-year spell at Middlesbrough, Bloomer would undoubtedly have scored even more goals in an already prolific Derby County career.

His time with the Rams saw him earn honours as a Football League runner-up in 1895/96, and an FA Cup finalist in 1898 and 1899.

Bloomer missed the 1903 final against Bury due to an arm injury.

When he returned from the north-east he captained Derby to promotion from the second division in 1911/12.

His playing career at the Baseball Ground came to an end in January 1914, at the age of 40, having scored his 332nd goal for the club the previous September.

Bloomer coached the Rams' reserves and first-team after World War One before heading to Spain where he enjoyed success with Real Union.

He died in April 1938 and his grave can be found in Derby's Nottingham Road Cemetery.

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