I'm delighted to have one of my charcoal portraits of Justin Fashanu featured on the front cover of Jim Reads' updated biography of the trailblazer entitled 'Not Forgotten'. I think it was about 24 years ago when Jim penned his first biography of Justin. Chapter 7 is entitled 'Ups and Downs,' inspired by my graphic portrait of Justin using a 'snakes and ladders' board as a metaphor for his somewhat chaotic life! The image was never featured in the first biography, which was a shame.
In 2022, I displayed the first ever fine art exhibition dedicated to Justin Fashanu at the Blue Door Gallery in Coventry. Kindly sponsored by the PFA.
England 'Kicking Cancer' Walking Football!
England ‘Kicking Cancer’
It’s an absolute honour to have been selected for the England Kicking Cancer Walking Football Squad (over 60’s). I cant wait to join my fellow players for a training session in October with the prospect of playing in a series of exhibition and international matches thereafter. I look forward to becoming an ambassador for the Kicking Cancer project.
Below : First England trial at Bishops Cleeve.
England Kicking Cancer has created two teams: an under 60’s and over 60’s team with approximately 10-12 players in each squad. In the near future KC would also like to develop an England womens team. The LTH Kicking Cancer social team will also continue in tandem, much like the CDWF league and social teams.
The Kicking Cancer Walking Football project was the idea of Tony Linforth- Hall (TLH) who sadly passed away in July 2023. In his honour, Tony’s initials are used in the title of the TLH Kicking Cancer Walking Football team. His idea was a simple one; to encourage those individuals living with or in remission from cancer to reap the benefits of playing walking football alongside like-minded individuals. His ambition was to form regional teams and eventually a national team. After many months in the making, his vision for a national team is finally coming to fruition.
My involvement with the TLH Kicking Cancer team started in 2023 through a chance meeting with John Cooper, ex England Walking Football International, and a tireless advocate of the Kicking Cancer project. I played against John in a couple of ‘nomad’ games up at Coleshill, he’s a difficult player to mark! John informed me about his ‘Renal Clear Cell Cancer’ and I spoke about my recent prostatectomy operation. Afterwhich John asked me to play in the Kicking Cancer team and subsequently to take on the role of captain, which was a great honour. In turn, I was delighted to suggest several players from the Coventry Macmillan group to join the squad.
Over the past 18 months, The Kicking Cancer team has played in a variety of exhibition matches and tournaments throughout the UK, with very good results. The stand out matches include games at Saint Georges Park, Arsenal, Millwall and Nottingham Forest football hubs, along with tournaments at Rushall and Northampton Town FC.
Below, Second England trial at Millwall FC , third trial at Solihull
The process to become an official England team is not straightforward. The project has to receive the support of both the Walking Football Association and The Football Association. The football trials have rules too! The FA requires that at least 24-28 players take part, (four teams) officiated by two qualified referees, with two official scouts or spotters to select players or give feedback. The referees are strict, definitely no running, physical contact or verbal abuse!
Three trial have been completed in order to select both squads of players. The first trial at Bishops Cleeve (May 26 th) followed by the second trial at Millwall FC (6 th July) and the final trial at Solihull.
A brief note about the football trials, which were exhausting! Playing six matches of 15 minutes duration with a five minute break in between. Teams included a goalkeeper and five outfield players, substitutes were a luxury! In the majority of cases your teammates were total strangers, so you had to quickly develop a system of play, no room for prima donnas! The pitches at Bishops Cleeve were excellent, outdoors too, so some relief from the heat. Unlike Millwall Community Centre, which was indoors and like playing in a hothouse! Onwards and upwards!
Stop press news! The Kicking Cancer project has received a grant from the National Lottery, marvellous news.
Colin Yates
Eight 'Exceptional' Coventry City Football Supporters!
Eight "exceptional" Coventry City fans have been painted by local artists to celebrate their work in the community.
All eight fans and artists have been invited to a pre-match celebration in a hospitality suite at Coventry Building Society Arena, where their portraits will be displayed ahead of Saturday's home game against Birmingham City.
I was matched with Chris Deacon.
Chris is a longstanding Coventry City supporter, over sixty years in fact, following the club both home and away through the good and not so good times. His close and extended family have also followed his lead in supporting the Sky Blues.
Chris is a genuine and knowledgeable fan of ‘the beautiful game’, he is also a man of integrity. His voluntary work with the Samaritans, over fifteen years, is evidence of this quality.
In my portrait of Chris, I have tried to capture the sensitivity of the man, alongside his personal football and family journey. I have used a selection of football badges to include his won football family! Long may it continue!
Jack Leslie 'Silenced'
The National Football Museum in Manchester have purchased my portrait of Jack Leslie
It will form part of a dedicated area in the museum in honour of this trailblazer!
In 1925, Jack Leslie was selected to play International football for England, unfortunately once the football authorities realised that he was ‘a man of colour’ his call up was rescinded. Jack had been cancelled!
In my portrait of Jack Leslie aptly named ‘Silenced’, I have deliberately erased a perfectly good drawing of his mouth and jawline using repeated swipes of sandpaper, to form a visual metaphor for this scandalous decision. Thankfully over the past decade his impact as a trailblazer has been recognised.
The family of Jack Leslie, have been presented with a posthumous honorary cap by the Football Association.
Jack would have been the first black footballer to play for England Viv Anderson played for England in 1978, and more contentiously Paul Reaney in 1968.
Colin Yates 'art and football'
A recent profile article in the Birmingham County Walking Football Association
Big Cyrille travels back to Brent
Brent Council purchased my portrait of the legendary Cyrille Regis. Displayed in the Icons of Colour exhibition , a digital format will be used in an outdoor display.
Walking Football Obsession! Update
Coventry & District Walking Football Club
The club has changed its name to Coventry & District Walking Football Club, which makes much more sense considering we are based at The Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry, and the majority of our players hail from the city!
CDWF has recently been awarded a National Lottery Grant, which has enabled the club to expand its range of activities to include a free womens walking football session on a Tuesday evening, with the prospect of forming a Coventry team. The club also supports local charities and good causes in the region.
CDWF runs league teams playing at Coleshill and Rushall (50’s, 63’s and 68’s). With regular social football sessions for mixed ages and mixed abilities at the Alan Higgs Centre in Coventry. (Monday/Thursday and Friday)
A sad but predictable end!
The Rivers of the World project which the CoC promised would play an important part in the CoC programme failed miserably. Not the youngsters artwork I might add which was outstanding but the lack of input and foresight from the CoC team. Clueless. So much for the all singing all dancing exhibition and promotion of the kids artwork. My concern which I made plain, was that myself and fellow artist Amanda Randall had promised the SEND youngsters from the 10 participating schools that their artwork would be exhibited and promoted professionally. A tatty display for a week in the IKEA building was simply not good enough. Hardly an event the kids could bring their family and friends too! I could see it comming, no venues to display the artwork and no idea about education especially SEND education from CoC staff. Rubbish!
Art of the Terraces
My ‘Spanish Racists’ boxed canvas image has been included in the wonderful ‘Art of the Terraces’ exhibition on display at The Walker Gallery in Liverpool. (see blurb)
Combining fashion, football, and art as told from the terraces of the stadiums this exhibition is the first major exhibition to tell the story of a movement that defined sports culture of the 1970s, 80s and 90s.
Exhibitions at The Litten Tree Building, Coventry
One of the better things to come out of the Coventry City of Culture tenure has been the set up of The Litten Tree Building Exhibition/Performance venue in the heart of Coventry. I have been more than happy to display a few of my artworks in their exhibition programme. None of the usual ‘guardians of culture’ nonsense but a more democratic display of peoples work.
Jack Leslie ‘Silenced’ at the Portrait Exhibition
Marcus Rashford and Eniola Aluko at the extended art exhibition at The Litten Tree, a big thank you to Alan Denyer and Toni Peach
Image below, the talented John Yeadon a driving force behind the Sex, Gender and Identity exhibition. John’s work looked really powerful in the space. I contributed with a selection Fashanu portraits and a couple of David Beckham pieces.
