Artist 'gutted' after football heroes mural defaced

An artist says she is "gutted" after a series of murals depicting a group of local football legends were vandalised in a "devastating" attack.

Hannah Dosanjh, who created the original work on Carfax Street in Swindon in 2023, said she was "really surprised" the murals had been targeted and that she was unsure whether she would be able to restore them.

The boards depict notable former Swindon Town players including Glenn Hoddle, Chris Kamara and Don Rogers.

Parts of the mural have been scrawled with black and blue paint over the subjects' eyes and faces, with the artwork depicting Harold Fleming separately marred by an obscene symbol.

Dosanjh, who is based in the town, said there was no quick fix for restoring the artworks.

"Unfortunately, whoever's gone around with a can has done so much damage, and they've actually aimed for the eyes.

"So even if I was to restore it and repaint it, that is the hardest part of the picture. They've literally defaced the portraits. I'm gutted," she added.

The artist saids she had been researching how to "remove spray paint" but that even with experimentation was "not sure" if she would be able to restore the murals.

Chris Kyle, chairwoman of the STFC Official Supporters Group, said the organisation remained interested in taking ownership of the boards.

"We were devastated as you can imagine, why do people have to do this?

"Last year, we actually spoke to the council about getting them.

"I spoke to them end of last week to ask when we can get them and sort them. We were told it was going to be March time this year, but unfortunately it is going to be longer than that. We're doing all we can (to try and save them)."

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