A PLAQUE is to be erected in a "more central" Ellesmere Port location to honour one of the town's footballing greats.

Back in November last year, The Standard reported that the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) was working with Cambridge Road Primary School to celebrate its legendary former pupils, Stan Cullis and Joe Mercer.

The plan was to unveil plaques in their honour on the school building this summer.

However, the decision has now been made to put the Joe Mercer plaque in a yet to be confirmed "more central location".

The Stan Cullis plaque will be unveiled at the school in June during a special event that will include members of his family and some "star guests".

In an update, organisers of the project told The Standard: "The PFA plaque project to honour two Ellesmere Port footballing giants in Stan Cullis and Joe Mercer will now require two separate events.

"The Stan Cullis plaque will be sited at Cambridge Road Primary School in Ellesmere Port.

"The Joe Mercer plaque will now be located at a more central location in Ellesmere Port, still to be decided at this stage.

"The extensive plans to unveil the Stan Cullis plaque at Cambridge Road Primary School in June are now being enacted.

"They will include in the run up to the event, which will include star guests and members of the Cullis family, a large series of arts and football projects."

RELATED STORY: Two late footballing greats to be honoured by their former Ellesmere Port school

Stan Cullis captained both England and Wolverhampton Wanderers before becoming the club's manager and winning the Football League three times and the FA Cup twice. He passed away in 2001 at the age of 84.

Former England, Everton and Arsenal hero Joe Mercer enjoyed a trophy-laden playing career, before going on to manage Aston Villa and Manchester City where he won the Football League, FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners Cup.

He also managed England on a caretaker basis. Mercer passed away in 1990, aged 76.

Speaking last year, PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor OBE said: "In order to inspire the next generation of male and female footballers and to encourage all pupils to do their best at sport the PFA is keen to take the stories of former pupils who became great football stars back into the schools they attended.

Darryl Pickering, Cambridge Road Primary School headteacher, added: "Both Joe Mercer and Stan Cullis were outstanding professionals and a credit to Cambridge Primary Road School."