Sunderland fan launches fundraising drive for mural of legend Gurney

A Sunderland fan is hoping to raise £6,000 to help pay tribute to one of the club’s greatest players and all-time leading goalscorer, Bobby Gurney.

Supporter Gav Willis is looking to raise funds to pay for a mural of Gurney - similar to the one of Raich Carter - on the side of a pub in Silksworth, Sunderland, close to where Gurney was born and raised.

Gurney went on to make 388 league appearances for Sunderland, scoring 228 goals.

He won a First Division Championship medal in 1936 while Gurney also scored against Preston North End in the 1937 FA Cup Final in a 3–1 Sunderland victory at Wembley.

So far £675 has already been raised towards the total, with a new website launched to help spread the word.

Artist Frank Styles - who painted the Carter tribute has been approached to do the artwork.

Explaining his fundraising drive, Gav said: “I am hoping to raise necessary funds to finance the production of a mural of Silksworth boy, Sunderland AFC legend, and still the club's all-time leading goalscorer, Bobby

Gurney.

“I am pleased to announce that new owner of The Golden Fleece, Eddy Bland, has kindly agreed to allow the mural to be painted onto the large gable wall on the side of his pub in Silksworth, Sunderland, very near to the area of the village where Bobby was born and raised.

“The pub is currently undergoing extensive renovations, including the repair and repainting of the building's exterior and, due to the prominent location of the pub, I believe this makes it a prime spot for the artwork to be installed.

“Many people will be familiar with some of Frank's other amazing artworks at sites across the city.

“Our target is £6,000, which will cover any necessary work, including the full clearing and preparation of the site, scaffolding and the actual artwork installation.

“Should any funds remain after works are completed, they will be donated to the Foundation of Light and Niall Quinn Childrens Centre.”

To donate towards the artwork and for more information, log onto: www. gofundme.com/f/bobbygurney-mural-project