Leeds United fans build shrine to Marcelo Bielsa with limited edition mini statues

Tony Clark, an Elland Road season-ticket holder from Colton, imortalised his hero as a 75kg brass statue, commissioned with his brother Craig, through their Batley-based company Trade Furniture, last year.

The life-sized statue was paraded around Leeds city centre following Leeds United's title win and was awarded to one lucky winner of a charity raffle, drawn by Kalvin Phillips.

After several messages from supporters asking if they could purchase the status of Bielsa, Mr Clark commissioned a limited number of handmade mini statues which he sells online.

He has now extended the line of statues to include a new brass club shield, which celebrates the club's promotion to the Premier League.

Tony's partner, Emma Cullis, said orders for the Bielsa statue have flooded in from fans across the UK and customers have shared the unusual places where the statue is proudly on display.

Emma said: "Customers have been delighted with him, he has been placed in some funny places like the bathroom and some homemade Leeds United bars.

"He is being used as a shrine in people's homes, some fans have said they give him a rub for good luck before the game.

"Another customer said her husband got more emotional over the present than on their wedding day!"

The mini 'King of the North' statues are made from resin with brass logos and £5 from each sale is donated to three Yorkshire-based charities.

Tony has selected Yorkshire Air Ambulance, Martin House Children's Hospice and The Ciaran Bingham Foundation Trust, which supports the elderly and vulnerable in South Leeds.

The statues can be purchased online.