Leeds United’s Elland Road home is one of a number of Britain’s iconic football grounds – past and present – celebrated in Yorkshire artist Paul Town’s first book, The Man Who Paints Football.
The richly-illustrated book features over 100 artworks inspired by football clubs’ homes and scenes from ‘the beautiful game’ recreated by Town. Featuring a foreword from celebrated sports commentator John Helm, the new book’s focus spans the length and breadth of the footballing nation through time.
The home of Leeds United for over a century, several artworks of the historic ground feature alongside artworks of other world-famous homes of football through time including Hampden Park, Highbury and Wembley. A rich tapestry of much-loved venues and matchday scenes from across the football world – including a number from across Yorkshire – also feature.
Paul Town’s work draws on his intimate connection with the changing face of football over the past few decades. Paul’s love of creating artwork of football grounds began as a child after exploring the now long-lost home of Bradford Park Avenue. The Yorkshire-based artist was also amongst the crowd when 56 people lost their lives in the fire at Bradford City’s Valley Parade in 1985 – one of the deadliest tragedies in football history that contributed to the transformation of football stadiums across the country.
Town’s artwork has been on show in numerous exhibitions, including the ‘Hampden Trilogy’ at Hampden Park, the home of Scottish Football.
Paul Town: “My love for football, and in particular my love for football grounds, began as a young child. Over the past decade, I have been able to turn my passion into my profession and this first book provides an insight into both a lost world of football and my journey as an artist.
Amongst the Elland Road paintings featured are a number of iconic scenes and personal references. This includes views from outside the ground, the iconic Admiral brand, the unique floodlights synonymous with the Whites, famous matches and the changing shirts of the Club through the years.”
The Man Who Paints Football by Paul Town, priced £19.99, is published by Heritage Unlocked and is available from bookshops, galleries, online retailers and from the publisher’s website here.
Main image: ‘A view inside Elland Road’ by Paul Town.
