Residents of a Merseyside village are up in arms about a football mural they say is ill-suited to their area.
People in Oxton, Wirral, have said the mural of the Birkenhead coat of arms, which incorporates Tranmere Rovers’ logo, is “lowering the tone” of their village and has been flung on them without warning.
The mural is currently being painted and will be finished tomorrow, weather permitting.
Posting on the Oxton Society Facebook group, Nicki Collins, said: “This one is not appropriate for the village and should be something relevant, perhaps a Talbot hound or a portrait of someone local and of note.”
Using the name Ex Sudore Vultus, another member of the group, said: “I love street art, but would prefer to see something relevant to the place where it sits, as Curtis's fabulous Liver Bird wings do over the water.”
The mural, which is located on the side of Home coffee shop in Christchurch Road, was painted by Paul Curtis, who has created a number of Rovers related murals in the local area.
Many seemed to like the idea of football murals near to Tranmere’s Prenton Park stadium, but objected to this mural further away from the ground.
Bernard Grannon said: “Even as a fan of 30 years I'm not happy with this, there's plenty of Rovers related art around the ground, doesn't fit with the village though.”
Others thought football related murals were completely inappropriate for the area.
Corinne Whitham said: “Please not a football emblem - lowering the tone of the village.”
Reflecting the influence of local football rivalries on the mural debate, Angela Preston said: “Hope it's LFC or Klopp cause I am complaining to the council otherwise.”
However, many were in favour of the mural.
Also writing on the Oxton Society Facebook page, Matty Jellicoe said: “Everyone needs to stop moaning about it.
“Tranmere is your local team, so you should support it, some parts of Oxton are classed as Tranmere nowadays and it will probably bring more business to the village because people will want to see it.”
Reacting to a Twitter post about the mural, Ian Landers was keen to talk about the club’s place at the heart of the community.
He said: “Don't get it, a local club that does things for the community yet people moan about a mural that doesn't fit their agenda, yet want to be like Liverpool.
“Well p*** off over the water then and let the real community reap the benefits of having a football club that cares.”
Local objections to the mural also drew a strong reaction from Richard Davies, who tweeted: “Tranmere Rovers will always be the pride of Wirral. The locals unfortunately need to admit they are not locals to Anfield or Goodison. Deluded!”
A spokesperson for the Tranmere Rovers Trust, said: “The Tranmere Rovers Trust commissioned this particular mural of the coat of arms of Birkenhead which incorporates the TRFC logo in the middle as we feel it celebrates a vibrant image of the town itself.”
“We thought Oxton right in the heart of Birkenhead would be a good place to site it.
“We appreciate that it has divided opinion and in no way did we want to offend anyone, that’s why this particular design was chosen.
“We commissioned Paul Curtis to carry out the work as he has painted over 40 other murals across the region which have all been well received.”
