A lifelong Manchester United fan has supplied artwork for the recently opened Hotel Football Old Trafford, after GG Hospitality director, Gary Neville spotted his work on Twitter.
Welsh artist Neil Roberts, aged 32, from Caernarfon, has designed a one-of-a-kind timeline featuring football superstars. The artwork lines the stairway to the Old Trafford Supporters Club and the main hotel stairway leading to the Player’s Lounge and Stadium Suite conference and event spaces.
Neil’s artwork compliments the 70 pieces supplied by students of Salford University, also chosen by members of Class of ’92 along with GG Hospitality managing director, Stuart Procter and Hotel Football general manager, Stewart Davies, to decorate Hotel Football’s 133 bedrooms.
Dad-of-one, Neil, who manages a children’s fun centre, said: “It’s unbelievable and a bit surreal to have been chosen, I was a bit apprehensive at first and couldn’t quite believe it. At first I even said I couldn’t do it because I’ve never done anything like this before, but then I realised this opportunity couldn’t be missed.
“I’m a regular match goer, so I’ve seen the hotel being constructed and my artwork taking shape. I was able to show my son the finished pieces ahead of the last Burnley game and I had a tear in my eye to be honest, he was very proud and so was I.”
Neil’s artwork captures iconic moments of football history, such as the first international England v Scotland game and leads right up to Gareth Bale’s transfer to Real Madrid. Ryan Giggs’ memorable celebration after his semi-final winner against Arsenal in 1999, Pelé netting in the 1970 World Cup and Sir Alex Ferguson pointing to his watch are another three of a handful of legends to decorate some of Hotel Football’s stairways.
Neil added: “This is a hobby for me, so it was a big commitment. I was designing the various pieces for over seven months so to see it all finally complete is fantastic.”
Located opposite Manchester United’s OId Trafford stadium, Hotel Football offers the ultimate match day experience, with bespoke corporate packages, as well as being home to The Old Trafford Supporters Club, making it the place to be for any football fan.
