Chris Kamara and other Swindon Town legends admire new mural

The Sky Sports pundit decided to pop down and see the Carfax Street artwork in person on Saturday after spotting it on Twitter.

He, along with fellow legends Don Rogers and John Trollope, attracted a crowd of fans and enjoyed posing for pictures next to remarkable likenesses of their younger selves.

The mural created by Hannah Dosanjh, features portraits of the players along with other historic footballing heroes like Alan McLoughlin and Jan Åge Fjørtoft.

It brought back fond memories of Chris' time at the club, when he scored 27 goals in 233 appearances during the ‘70s and ‘80s.

Chris Kamara and Hannah Dosanjh at Swindon's STFC mural (Image: Newsquest)

Chris said: “It’s superb – that could be a photo of me from my time at Swindon, when my hair was a little bit longer!

“It’s a real honour and a privilege to be featured in this mural alongside these legends.

“I am very proud to have been the first player of colour to represent Swindon Town in 1977, to captain the club at the age of 21, and to be player of the year during our best season.

“When you get to my time of life, you really start appreciating things you have done like that.

“I have such affinity for Swindon – I met my wife here, my sons were born here – and now I, too, have my own special place in the town."

John Trollope, Swindon Town FC CEO Rob Angus, Chris Kamara, artist Hannah Dosanjh, Don Rogers, and Coun Kevin Small (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

STFC CEO Rob Angus presented the broadcaster with a personalised home shirt for the new season.

Chris added: "The club is in a difficult transitional period at the moment. Last year, with the way they started off, I thought it would be their season but they ran out of puff.

"Hopefully it will be this time around, that's the beautiful thing about football."

Don Rogers and John Trollope were all smiles on the day, along with Andy Cossens from the Official Supporters Club, and Paul Hedges from the STFC Museum also attended.

Don said: "The likenesses are very impressive - I wish I could draw like that! These murals are a great idea, they brighten things up a bit."

John added: "It's an honour to have been chosen to be in the mural, it looks fantastic."

John Trollope, Swindon Town FC CEO Rob Angus, Chris Kamara, artist Hannah Dosanjh and Don Rogers (Image: Swindon Borough Council)

Artist Hannah Dosanjh said: "What a lovely event that really shows the benefits that art can bring to Swindon.  It was a pleasure and an honour to paint this mural, you can feel their personalities and presence."

The mural is one of 24 that Swindon Borough Council commissioned Artsite to create.

Coun Kevin Small said: "It’s wonderful to see this tribute to some of Swindon's footballing legends.

"I fondly remember when Chris visited Westbourne Secondary School to give after-school coaching sessions. Although he is now more famously known for his TV work, he will always have a special place in the hearts of Swindon fans.

“It was also great to see other Swindon heroes being honoured, like John Trollope, Don Rogers, and the late Alan McLoughlin, all three of whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the years through my refereeing and previous job at the Wiltshire FA. 

“Whatever their ups or downs, Swindon Town FC is an integral part of our community and it’s only right that we should have this amazing piece of artwork in our town centre to celebrate the history of the club, and hopefully it brings some good memories to all that see it.

“Artsite has produced some great pieces of work that are brightening up our town, like at Kimerfields, and I can’t wait to see what they do with PaintFest later this year.”

Chris Kamara with Swindon Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Heritage, Culture and Art, Councillor Marina Strinkovsky and her two dogs (Image: Swindon Borough Council)