Gallery: new mural celebrates history of Swindon Town FC

Legends of Swindon Town FC turned out to see a new town centre mural devoted to the club.

Don Rogers, John Trollope and Chris Kamara admired the artwork, which was designed by Hannah Dosanjh.

It features heroes including Chris, Don, Alan McLoughlin and Jan Åge Fjørtoft.

After seeing the mural on Twitter, Chris was keen to see it in person. He made 233 appearances and scored 27 goals from his midfield position for Town in two separate spells in the 1970s and 80s, and went on to carve out a successful TV career as a pundit on Sky Sports.

Chris said: “It’s a real honour to be featured in this mural, especially as I’m there with some real footballing legends.

“I am very proud to have been the first player of colour to represent Swindon Town in 1977 and to captain the club at the age of 21.

“I enjoyed two wonderful spells with Swindon Town, helping the club to two promotions and a League Cup semi-final, which will live long in my memory and means I have a real affinity with the supporters. 

“My wife and two sons were born in Swindon and now I, too, have my own special place in the town."

Mural artist Hannah Dosanjh said: “This has been a wonderful project to work on and I was really lucky to have help from STFC historian Dick Mattick with the research.

“It’s so great that local artists in Swindon are being showcased in this way, I’m thrilled this was spotted by Chris and that he has come to see this in person today.”

Cllr Kevin Small, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member who covers the Town Centre, said: “It’s wonderful to see this tribute to some of Swindon's footballing legends. 

"I fondly remember when Chris visited Westbourne Secondary school to give after school coaching sessions, and although he is now more famously known for his Sky TV work, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Swindon fans. 

“It was also great to see other Swindon hero’s being honoured, like John Trollope, Don Rogers and the late Alan McLoughlin, all three of whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the years, through my refereeing and previous job at the Wiltshire FA. 

“Whatever their ups or downs, Swindon Town FC is an integral part of our community and it’s only right that we should have this amazing piece of artwork in our town centre to celebrate the history of the club and hopefully it brings some good memories to all that see it.

“Artsite have produced some great pieces of work that is brightening up our town, like at Kimerfields, and I can’t wait to see what they do with PaintFest later this year.”

The mural, which is located on the pedestrian walkway between Corporation Street and the bus station, is part of a series of design painted on hoardings surrounding the Kimmerfields regeneration site next to Zurich’s new HQ.

Local community art group Artsite was commissioned by the council to create 24 murals covering topics including football, the environment and life in Swindon.

Rob Angus, STFC’s Chief Executive Officer was also in attendance at the gathering, alongside Andy Cossens from the Official Supporters Club and Paul Hedges from the STFC Museum.