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Artwork book features historic Darlington football ground Feethams

Artwork of Feethams, Darlington's old stadium, features in a new book. <i>(Image: Paul Town)</i>
Artwork of Feethams, Darlington's old stadium, features in a new book. (Image: Paul Town)

Artwork celebrating football stadiums past and present, including Darlington's historic Feethams site, features in a new book from an artist.

The Man Who Paints Football, by Paul Town, showcases more than 100 pieces of art inspired by football grounds and scenes from the sport.

The book features a foreword by sports commentator John Helm and covers stadiums across the country, including those in the North East.

It includes current and former homes of Newcastle United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Darlington, and Shildon featured alongside world-renowned venues such as Hampden Park and Wembley.

(Image: Paul Town) Mr Town's love for football grounds began in his childhood after exploring the now-demolished home of Bradford Park Avenue and was also present at the 1985 Bradford City fire, one of the deadliest tragedies in football history.

He said: "The North East was and still is home to many iconic football grounds.

(Image: Paul Town) Most read

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"The Ayresome Park artworks in the book were a joy to paint as they held personal relevance to where my clients stood watching Boro from the Holgate.

"Roker Park was an unbelievable football ground complete with stands designed by the famous football ground architect Archibald Leitch and Feethams was an idyllic setting for football.

"Whilst Ayresome Park, Feethams and Roker Park are no more, St James’ Park remains one of Britain’s most iconic football grounds and the artwork featuring Shildon’s Dean Street also includes local character ‘Snack Davis’ and the iconic main stand."

(Image: Paul Town) He added: "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."

The Man Who Paints Football by Paul Town is published by Heritage Unlocked and is available from bookshops, online retailers, and from the Heritage Unlocked website.