The Man Who Paints Football book released by Baildon artist

The iconic former home of Bradford (Park Avenue) and City’s Valley Parade star in The Man Who Paints Football by Baildon-based artist Paul Town.

The richly-illustrated book features over 100 artworks inspired by football clubs’ homes and scenes from ‘the beautiful game’ recreated by Town.

A new book that features two iconic Bradford football grounds heavily has been released (Image: UGC) The focus of the book spans the length and breadth of the footballing nation and also includes a foreword from celebrated sports commentator John Helm.

The book features a number of artworks of Bradford (Park Avenue) – the place where he fell in love with football grounds as a youngster when exploring the derelict site.

The book includes artworks of the visit of the Czechoslovakia national team, the last Wool City derby at the famous old ground and a recreation of the artist’s father scoring in a trial match for the club.

Town's father Barry scores in a trial match for Bradford (Park Avenue) (Image: UGC) A number of artworks of Valley Parade are also included in the artist’s debut book such as Town’s time as a ballboy at the club, depictions of famous matches, and the changing face of the ground through time.

Bradford’s two famous football grounds feature alongside artworks of Hampden Park, Highbury, Old Trafford and Wembley.

A plethora of much-loved venues and matchday scenes from across the football world - including a number from across Yorkshire - also feature.

The last Wool City derby at Park Avenue (Image: UGC) Town said: “My most personal artwork of Park Avenue depicts my dad scoring a flying header as a 16-year-old in a trials game with the club.

"There was a lot of emotion going on when painting this as my dad was in hospital at the time with a serious illness.

"Deciding on what view to paint was an easy decision as he scored this goal at the Canterbury End of the ground which gave me a superb angle to paint the old Leitch stand in its full glory.”

Town as a ball boy at Valley Parade (Image: UGC) Town added: “My love for football, and in particular my love for football grounds, began as a young child.

"At Bradford City, it was City’s claret and amber colours that intrigued me and combined with my first ever full replica kit; a Christmas present from my now late uncle and I was hooked and now a Bantam.

"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, priced £19.99, is published by Heritage Unlocked and is available from bookshops, galleries, online retailers and from the publishers’ website at www.heritageunlocked.com/shop/themanwhopaintsfootball