Layer Road legend Peter Wright would have been “pleased as punch” at having a statue made in his honour.

That’s the view of Wright’s former team-mate Bobby Hunt, who will be among the group of Colchester United players past and present at today’s unveiling.

The sculpture, which celebrates Wright’s contribution to the U’s and the Colchester area, will stand at the centre of the site of the club’s former Layer Road home.

It acknowledges Wright’s considerable efforts for his home town team Colchester, for whom he spent his whole playing career and played more than 400 times for between 1952 and 1964.

Hunt, who scored 90 goals for the U’s between 1959 and 1964, was good friends with Wright, who died in October, 2012 at the age of 78.

He said: “Peter would have been very proud - he’d have been pleased as punch.

“Peter was a great player - he was probably the best I ever played with.

“He had everything - pace, trickery, was good in the air and he could also score goals.

“Birmingham City once came in for him and had he gone there at the time, I think he’d have gone on to play for England.

“In those days teams had wingers and Peter was such an exciting player to watch and played for the division three south team, which he regarded as an honour.

“I think he probably played a part in around half of the goals I scored for Colchester.”

Colchester Borough Council and other benefactors have funded the statue, which has been designed by local artist Mandy Pratt.

A bugler will play the “post-horn gallop”, the U’s old theme tune to begin proceedings at today’s statue unveiling.

Peter’s widow, Lindsey Wright and Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell will unveil the statue.

Along with Hunt, Wright’s fellow former U’s team-mates such as Vic Keeble and Barry Smith are also expected to attend the event, which starts at noon.

For all of the latest Colchester United news, including Sam Walker's weekly column, see Thursday's Daily Gazette.