It remains footy’s most iconic image.

So fed up with the torrent of racial abuse he received during a match at Collingwood’s Victoria Park, St Kilda’s Aboriginal star Nicky Winmar did something that would etch itself into the national consciousness.

Celebrating a victory, in which he starred, Winmar lifted up his jumper, pointed to his skin and told an angry crowd: “I’m black – and I’m proud to be black!”

It was a spontaneous act that photographer Wayne Ludbey captured superbly, ensuring its legend would only grow.

What is now known as ‘Nicky Winmar’s stand’ was later dubbed “a seminal moment in the history of race relations in Australia” by The Age, while it was also the subject of an AFL television commercial in 2013.

The 25th anniversary of Winmar’s act comes next year and footy fans Alex Wadelton and Aaron Tyler hope the moment will be remembered forever thanks to a statue they are crowdfunding.

“It’s the moment when Nicky said ‘enough is enough’ and stood up to the generations of racism that he and Aboriginal people have been subjected to, purely because of the colour of their skin,” they told The New Daily.

“That image is so strong that it tells a thousand stories … it’s possibly one of the strongest images Australia has.

“We can’t think of another moment more deserving to last forever.”

Through website Pozible, the pair have raised more than $12,000 for a bronzed statue of Winmar, a project that has his approval.

Much more is required, though, and Tyler is encouraging footy fans to dig deep.

“Racist slurs from the crowd were very common in the 90s … they made me feel uncomfortable, but no one would speak up or object to it,” he added.

“These days, things are different. I feel Nicky’s example is partly responsible for this change as it kind of ignited a national line in the sand for racism.”

Wadelton and Tyler are hopeful fans can make the statue a reality. Photo: Supplied

The statue would cost $155,000 or $187,500, depending on size, and all contributions, great or small, are greatly appreciated.

It would be located either at Victoria Park, the MCG, Etihad Stadium or St Kilda’s spiritual home, Moorabbin.

Winmar is hopeful the funding can be sourced.

“I’m honoured to be a part of this,” he told The New Daily.

“It means a lot, not just for me but for my family, including my grandkids and all Indigenous people all over Australia.

“If it happens, it will be great.”

Ludbey, who took the famous photo for The Sunday Age, called on the AFL and government to make a contribution to the funding.

“I think it’d be a great thing for Nicky,” he told The New Daily.

“It would be a permanent reminder that racism is repugnant, vile and not to be tolerated.

“Hopefully the AFL can get involved and pump some corporate dollar in.

“You would think the state and federal government would want to be involved too.

“It’d be fantastic to see it unveiled on the 25th anniversary.”

To learn more about the project and to donate, click here.