This article tells the story of a bronze statue dedicated to the late Manchester United midfielder Duncan Edwards in Dudley's market square. It also explores the rich history and unique character of Enniskillen, a town in Northern Ireland known for its canals, castles, and fascinating past.
The late Manchester United midfielder Duncan Edwards – AKA the ‘real-life Roy of the Rovers’ – finds his legacy immortalized in a bronze statue in Dudley ’s market square. Edwards’s right leg swings back, ready to kick the ball into the rain, down the hill. This monument to the Black Country legend, a “real-life Roy of the Rovers” (so said Terry Venables), is as surely set as his bronze quiff.
Despite its prominent site on the edge of Dudley’s market square, only ageing Man United pilgrims and curious travelers pause to admire it. Dudley’s town centre in winter drizzle is hard to appreciate, but at its edges are fine buildings: a neo-Georgian town hall and turreted former police station; a handsome Eros who has shot his arrow; the deco-influenced Fountain Arcade, dated 1925; a “sports bar”, called the Old Glasshouse, which occupies a Victorian fire station. A tram line is being built to connect to Wednesbury, whence to Birmingham. Canals already do this. More than 500 miles of canals crisscross the West Midlands, built to link up factories and get goods to market. Dudley had coal and limestone mining, iron, steel, engineering, glass cutting, textiles and leatherworking. The town made cranes, chains, anchors (including the 15-ton centre anchor for RMS Titanic), nails, fire grates, anvils, vices. Much has gone, but I hear clangs and bangs as I amble.Enniskillen – the Island of Kathleen, Queen of the Fomorians, supernatural raiders from the sea – is at the confluence of Lower and Upper Lough Erne. North and south lie countless islands, and an amphibious ecology of rushes and reeds, waterfowl and waders. For my visit, the Atlantic was sending in great waves of rain to top it all up. The steep streets were waterfalls. Enniskillen was founded in 1612 by a charter issued by the earthly invader James VI and I. Cambridge-educated Captain William Cole was awarded a grant of land, upon which he planted a church, school, jail/court and houses for burgesses. He built bridges and refurbished and added a tower to Enniskillen Castle – which had been the medieval seat of the Maguire (Mag Uidhir) chieftains of Fermanagh. A market house and “diamond” (town square) – a common feature of Plantation towns – were placed at the centre. The signage conjures ghosts and old ways. Wall murals celebrate former inhabitants, including Oscar Wilde Enniskillen’s streets have their previous functions displayed on ceramic plaques. Queen Street was formerly Barracks Street and Brewery Lane. Belmore Street was Gaol Street. Hospital Lane became Preaching Lane, which later became Wesley Street. Eden Street was Pudding Lane, after the offal from slaughterhouses. Perhaps plaques and street art help Enniskilleners recall the insular lifestyle of yore. There’s a powerful appetite for the past here
Sports Duncan Edwards Manchester United Dudley Enniskillen History Football Statues Heritage Canal Towns
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