Newcastle United fanatic Davey Brown resurrected his love of art after an injury put paid to his career as a decorator.

After exhibiting around the UK and in Ibiza, the 57-year-old dad's amazing work is coming home . Davey has written a book entitled 'Newcastle United: It's In The Blood' and he is holding a combined book launch and art exhibition at the iconic Strawberry pub next month . The Geordie boy has painted some fantastic images of Alan Shearer, Wor Jackie, Sir Bobby Robson, Papiss Cisse and Hughie Gallacher to name but a few.

Like thousands of Newcastle fans, one of his current problems is getting match tickets. After being pushed too far by former owner Mike Ashley. Davey decided he'd had enough. With well over 1,000 matches attended he could not take any more of the neglect of the former Sports Direct tycoon and gave up his season ticket.

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Davey told Chronicle Live: "I'm a lifelong Newcastle fan but I gave my season ticket up on the day Rafa Benitez left! That was the final straw for me and I know a lot of people felt the same."

Davey still gets into St James' as often as he can with his three sons. His passion for art and Newcastle United are a perfect blend and this is where the idea for the book and art exhibition came from.

He said: "I loved drawing and painting when I was a kid, but I lost all confidence and interest after my art teacher told me I'd never make anything of myself in the art world. Despite that and despite her, I still gained my O Level in that subject. However, I didn't pursue a career as an artist and instead, I ended up being a decorator, so I must have had an obsession with paint!"

"Unfortunately, I got a bad injury playing football, and it eventually turned into arthritis. My leg was totally knackered so I had to give up decorating. I had a family and needed to make a living, so I turned back to art. It was one the best decisions I have ever made

"I threw myself into it and pushed myself and my work as hard as I could. It paid off as I have since done commissions for world famous DJs, plus Newcastle players such as Sean Longstaff and Papiss Cisse. I have exhibited in Ibiza where I worked with Cafe Mambo. I have also exhibited in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow."

"I'd love to see what my old art teacher thinks now!"

"With regards to my Newcastle United portraits, it made sense to get them out there, hence the new show. Painting my footballing heroes is a pleasure and a passion."

"Alan Shearer was my favourite player and Sir Bobby Robson was an obvious choice to paint. He has such a great face to paint, so characteristic."

"The NUFC book is something I've wanted to do for a while and I have finally achieved that."

In Brown's book, entitled he reflects on Sir Bobby Robson's famous words about attending St James' Park for the first time. Robson said then: "It's a small boy clambering up the steps for the first time, holding his father's hand, gawping at that hallowed stretch of turf beneath him and, without being able to do a thing about it, falling in love."

Davey told me: "My Dad took me to my first Newcastle United match in 1972. We walked up to the East Stand and I can remember the smell of the hot dogs and the clicking of the turnstiles. That is my first ever memory of St. James' Park. The cover of my book is a photo of one of my sons, Harry, holding my hand as we walk up towards the East Stand. It's replicating the day my Dad took me along that same road on our way to my first ever match.

"Every time I go there I recall that day and it's such a nice nostalgic thought which will never leave me.

"As the book says, it's in the blood. Bobby's quote about clambering up the steps for the first time, that was my moment, my first experience of clambering up those steps, and it will be the same for thousands of others."

The last man to lead Newcastle to a trophy, Joe Harvey, was in charge of the team that day in 1972 against Chelsea. A lot of managers and players have come and gone since then. Davey's wish, as a Newcastle fan, is to see the Toon win that elusive trophy.

Brown said: "I've done over 450 away games, the first one in 1980, and I've lost count of how many home games I've been to since I first went with my dad in 1972."

"I've watched the team on miserable days in the rain when there were 16,000 or so there under Ossie Ardiles in the old Second Division. I was there when Kevin Keegan replaced him in 1992 and he took charge of his first match against Bristol City when St. James' Park was rammed.

"Before the Keegan era I never missed a home game for ten years, whether it was the first-team or the reserves. The old West Stand was the only part of the ground opened for the reserve matches.

"I've been back about twenty times since the takeover. I took my boys to the Sela Cup games and the Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace. A mate of mine has a private box at SJP and he sometimes invites me and the bairns along as his guest.

"It's a lifetime of devotion for me following Newcastle United and my family are all the same."

Davey's book launch and action takes place on December 21 at the Strawberry between 6pm and 11pm and funds will be raised for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He said: "The book launch and art exhibition event is an official partnership with The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. I am doing a portrait of Sir Bobby which is being auctioned, with all proceeds going to his charity. I am also donating £1 from every book sold at the launch."

A selection of Davey's artwork

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