Coventry City Football Club have announced that they are just £13,000 short of the target they need to to be able to erect a statue to Sky Blue legend Jimmy Hill.
The target was originally set at £150,000, but because of generous donations of building materials from local suppliers, the sum now needed is considerably less and the shortfall is now about £13,000.
Donations totalling over £12,000 have been received in the past week and have given the appeal a significant boost and hopes have now been raised that the statue could be in place by the start of next season.
The chairman of The Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal committee which also includes Covsupport News Service's Kev Monks and CV One's Dave Long, Kevin Heffernan said, "We are delighted at the level of local and national support this appeal has received and we are excited to be within touching distance of the finish line."
"Many people have worked extremely hard to get the appeal to this stage and they, including the many Sky Blue Supporters who have made donations so far, can be very proud of their efforts."
The sculptor tasked with making the statue, Nicholas Dimbleby has already drawn sketches of several designs for the statue and is waiting for the final decision as to which one will be chosen and for the go ahead to start work on the sculpture, which will be forthcoming as soon as all of the money has been raised.
The idea of a statue to Hill has the backing of the Professional Footballers' Association and Coventry City's Former Players Association.
It is hoped that the last £13,000 will be raised within the next fortnight and that the go ahead will then be given to Dimbleby to make a start.
The completed statue will be placed outside the main entrance to the Ricoh Arena and will be permanent reminder of the work and achievements of Jimmy Hill, who as manager took Coventry into the top flight of English football. Hill later became the club Chairman.
Director and former chairman of Coventry City Football Club Joe Elliott said, "Jimmy is an iconic figure in the history of the Sky Blues and if anyone deserves a statue at the home of Coventry City it is him."
"We are confident of raising the required amount in time to have the statue ready for next season and any additional support to get us over the line would be very gratefully received."
Donations are accepted by cash or cheque at any Coventry Building Society Branch and by cheques made out to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal and posted to Godiva House, Binley Business Park, Coventry, CV3 2TQ.
Online bank transfers can also be made to the Jimmy Hill Tribute Appeal using account number 44715278 and sort code 40-63-01.
The appeal fund will remain open until further notice, with any excess donations being put towards a football scholarship with the Sky Blues Academy for a young Coventry born footballer.