George Best

How do you follow 'The Greatest' - with 'The Best', I suppose! It was with a tinge of sadness that I began work on our  latest addition to 'The Greatest' range. We were all huge fans of George Best at the Groggshop and felt very priviledged to have met him when he paid us a visit in the early 90's to be presented with his 9" figure.

Once again the choice of pose was an obvious one as, to us, it summed up his attitude on and off the field - Coolness and bravado - a footballing gunfighter in effect! The decision to add the mud was drawn from old photographs which show George was very often floored by frustrated defenders, only to rise again to torment his hapless adversaries.

Thanks must also go to my future son-in-law Jason for the loan of his legs in the making of this piece.  The old two dimensional images proving unsatisfactory, I had to resort to a live model to get the complete muscle structure right!

So although muddy I hope the World Of Groggs tribute to our  Greatest soccer player meets with your  approval.

Muhammad Ali

The finished piece.

The Work

Another labour of love

Richard's Notes...

'When I had finished Bryn Terfel as Falstaff I was looking forward to making something with slightly little less detail!  It was a fascinating project but one which , when I got down to the nitty gritty , totally took over my modeling time for a full six months. This was obviously frustrating to our collectors who, although patient, were  looking forward to new additions to their collections. So with a sigh of relief I started a long overdue project - Muhammad Ali. ‘ This will be alot simpler ‘ I thought - no costume - just shorts and boxing boots! What I hadn't anticipated was the complexity of a pose which has over the years become an icon of sporting history. There was simply no room for artistic license. The figure had to be correct in every detail but in 3 dimensions. Whoops – I did it again! So four months down the line I’ve almost finished- the complicated expression on Ali’s face, the muscle structure, the creases in the shorts, the 17 lace loops on each boot are all there when I close my eyes at night – but the results I hope will be worth it and I myself can’t wait to see the finished piece.’

17 lace loops on each boot!

More Work In Progress pictures coming soon!

Bryn Terfel as Falstaff

Finished at last!

Everyone waiting for the Falstaff will be glad to know, Richard has finally finished modeling the piece and it survived the kiln and is ready to be moulded.

Please be aware it is going to take a while for this special piece to be coming through for orders and we hope to have a price within the next few weeks. Stay tuned!

Nearly finished! Richard's almost completed this extremley detailed figure of Bryn Terfel as Falstaff

Created to commemorate Bryn Terfel's 40th year, Richard is also in the middle of modelling a Limited Edition of Bryn in his much aclaimed role as Falstaff.

Falstaff was also a favourite of John's who made Sir Geraint Evans in the role 3 times, two of which reside in Richards house too large to be sold!

The new figure will be approximately 12" high and hand painted in his glorious scarlet costume.

History repeats itself - another great Welsh Opera Star is Grogged as Falstaff

Sir Geraint Evans with his Falstaff made by John and Richard.

Limited Edition Testimonial Action Rob Howley

First edition 'Perfect Day' Wembley '1999'

Unique Cardiff Cup Winners 1997

Two of Rob Howley's Testimonial figures will be made available at Rob's inaugural event at the Hilton Hotel, Cardiff on 1st of September. The first edition of the 50 pieces in the 'Wembley 1999' (Perfect Day) strip and of the 9 unique strips, the Cardiff Cup Winners '97.

As collectors already know, 9 of the 59 action Rob Howley figures will be in unique strips, representing Rob's outstanding career in rugby union. The Cup Winners '97 figure will be the only one produced in a Cardiff strip, making it completely unique and a singular piece of Rugby memorabilia. 

'Captain Fantastic!'

Rob at the Groggshop with the First Edition.

Other unique forthcoming strips will include:-

  • LIONS (Australia 2001)
  • LIONS (South Africa 1997)
  • WALES - First Cap V England 1996 (Debut try)
  • WALES - Paris 2001, 75 yard try (reserve £500)
  • BRIDGEND - 135 games, 1990-1996
  • BABARIANS V N.Z - First appearance at the National Stadium
  • WASPS - European Champions 2004 

 

Limited Edition Testimonial Action Neil Jenkins

"Just Kick It"

"The ritual began. The sandcastle was made.....Five steps, one tentatively done as ever, back before three with an increasing arc to his left side. The foot had been wiped on his calf, imaginary mud is picked from the sole of his boot. The kicker bows to the ball....Eyes down again, and up. It becomes shamanistic. The left hand swiped down the jersey, the right shaken loose, it's fingers distended in a paroxism, all the time the eyes moving from ball to posts, then the object imaginatively ushered in by the back-to-front sweep of the open palm. This eternity of preperation takes hardly any time at all before he runs in.
32-31 to Wales

Quote from "More Heart and Soul"

For Neil's Testimonial Year Richard wanted to make something 'special' and 'Unique', the most difficult Grogg made to this day and who else would it be but Neil. Richard spent over six months making this superb figure. Standing on one leg, you can imagine Richard's fears when taking away the support holding up the figure at the very last minute. It is Limited to 100, although only 87 will be available for sale. The remaining unique 13 we have dedicated to Neil's Testimonial, each one individually painted in every strip Neil has played in, including Pontypridd Cup Winners and 'Full House' Wales Strip.

For auction at Neil's first Testimonial Dinner at the Vale Hotel in January, was the Unique 'Just Kick It' in the Lions strip that he wore in 1997 when he won the test series for the Lions with his World Famous Goal Kicking. The figure was eventually bought by great Grogg Collector and Neil Jenkins fan Mr Mike McDonald of Ebbw Vale, who was determind not to be out bid and went up to £4,100 on the night. This Lions figure is one of only three, the other two belong to Neil and his mother, so Mike is in great company!

Mr McDonald at the Groggshop with his prized possesion

At Neil's Pontypridd after match Dinner the top raffle prize was the 'Just Kick It' figure in the Pontypridd Cup Winners 1996 kit. We still have to make the Celtic Warrior Strip and various Welsh strips which will all be donated to Neil's Testimonial.

This figure is only available to the public in the top Welsh Strip, which is priced at £395 plus £10.00 p+p and is a Limited Edition of 87. 

On the 14th of August the last of Neil's testimonial dinners was held. For auction was the Celtic Warrior 'Just Kick It' which again was totally unique being the only Warrior one made. The Brett family who are very good collectors went home with the figure adding to their vast collection.

Click on the link below to order.