A statue of footballing legend Laurie Cunningham will be erected near the pitch where he kicked off his historical career, if given the go-ahead at a meeting next week.

Waltham Forest Council has applied for permission to place the bronze statue in Coronation Gardens, Leyton High Road near Leyton Oreint’s Brisbane Road stadium.

Mr Cunningham who grew up in Stroud Road, Haringey, made his debut for the club in 1974 after being scouted as a youngster.

In 1979 he became the first professional black footballer to represent England before going on to play for Real Madrid and Manchester United among others.

The statue, over seven feet tall, is modelled off a photo of Laurie with a football and is expected to cost £100,000.

Earlier this year the council in partnership with Kick It Out announced it had raised almost £3,500 from public donations.

At 33 Mr Cunningham’s life was tragically cut short in a car crash in Madrid in 1989. At the time he had been playing for Spanish club Rayo Vallecano.

The statue will be erected in the park opened in 1903, with Laurie’s face pointing towards the bandstand and his back to the football pitch.

A decision will be made at a meeting of Waltham Forest Council Planning Committee on Tuesday September 5.