A LARGER than life sized tribute to soccer legend, 'Gentleman George' Hardwick, 80, has been unveiled on Teesside.

The nine feet tall statue of the former Boro defender and England captain stands opposite a statue of the late Wilf Mannion, his former Middlesbrough, England and Great Britain team mate, outside Boro's Cellnet Riverside Stadium.

Gazing up at the tribute to Wilf, George told The Northern Echo: "I wish we could have still been what we were.''

He said he had to agree with that old generation of fans who reckon the postwar years were the heyday of British football.

"I would have to agree with them,'' commented George. "There is nothing which could better that time in football. Wilf and I enjoyed it for God knows how many years.''

He said he was "highly pleased'' with his bronze likeness which shows him proudly standing, left foot on the ball, wearing the England shirt, complete with the Three Lions badge.

Sculptor Keith Maddison was on "tenterhooks'' as the Boro Chief Executive Keith Lamb unveiled the tribute. He had completed the commission in strict secrecy, working from photographs of his subject who was in the dark until he reached the foot of the pedestal, yesterday.

A Newcastle supporter since he was eight, 49-year-old Mr Maddison said his statute was a breakthrough, completed in just seven months.

"It's always a challenge particularly with the atmosphere of secrecy that there was around this one. The sources are really limited, from photographs. I had to rely on what the club could furnish me.''

George's wife, Jennifer, was overcome with emotion when she saw the statue and was impressed by the likeness to its flesh and bone subject.

Mr Lamb said: "How we could do with another George on the team today - and tomorrow'' - looking ahead to the game with Bradford.

George made 166 appearances for the Boro between 1937 and 1950, captained the side in the immediate post war years and captained England on each of the 13 occasions he represented his country.

Former Boro centre forward and international player, Mickey Fenton, 87, said: "We were all small but powerful players and we played football.''