Memorial to ‘Spider’ Kellys
The Spiders... Billy and his father, Jimmy, pictured in the 1950s.
Plans for a memorial to father-and-son boxing greats Jimmy and Billy Kelly are to be discussed by Derry City Council.
The Kellys - both known as ‘Spider’ - hold a unique accolade in British boxing history as the only father and son to both win the British and British Empire Featherweight titles.
Billy Kelly, who continued boxing until 1962 and finished with a career record of 56 wins, 24 defeats and four draws from 84 professional bouts - passed away in 2010, aged 78.
Derry City Council plans to discuss the move at a meeting of its Development Committee this week.
The memorial will incorporate a plinth and seated area located at the top of Waterloo Street.
It’s believed Council is proposing to provide support “in kind” to the Kelly family and local organisations to plan, commission and deliver the memorial.
In a report to Council, officials say there is a “great deal of support to publicly remember” the city’s “great sons and cultural icons.”
It’s believed Council officials would support the Triax Beighbourhood Partnership Board in preparing an application to the Department of Social Development for the cost to implement the project.
It’s hoped to have the memorial in place by July of this year.
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Weather for Derry
Thursday 23 May 2013
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