It’s our national game and one followed by millions.
Now football artwork by a Huddersfield-born artist has gone on show at the National Football Museum in Manchester.
And Darren Baker is hoping that sales of some of the work can help boost museum funds.
A selection of has been created by Meltham-born Baker in support of the museum.
The original paintings and drawings of world football legends are now on display and for sale.
The works include a portrait of former England captain David Beckham and a special scene from perhaps the most famous football match of all time.
It depicts troops from both the English and German armies playing football in No Man’s Land between the Great War trenches on Christmas Day 1914.
Baker’s work features three of the many footballers who were called up to the front line but never returned.
They are 2nd Lieut Donald Bell (Newcastle United and Bradford Park Avenue), 2nd Lieut Walter Tull (Tottenham Hotspur and Northampton Town) and 2nd Lieut Evelyn E Lintott (Plymouth Argyle, QPR, Bradford City and Leeds City).
All died in the conflict.
Baker originally created the work for the Professional Footballers Association.
He said: “All of the football-themed paintings and drawings are for sale in support of the museum.
“It’s in the heart of Manchester city centre and is great day out for the whole family. There is so much to do and so much more to see.”
The Museum in Cathedral Gardens is open seven days a week.
