LS Lowry's iconic 'Going to the Match' is coming home…

LS Lowry's iconic 'Going to the Match' is coming home to Salford

LS Lowry's iconic painting 'Going to the Match' is coming home to Salford - returning to public display from next Friday, it's been announced.

As reported in the Manchester Evening News , the Lowry Art Gallery at Salford Quays bought the iconic 1953 work for £6.6 million at auction last month. The world-renowned artwork, which depicts football fans on their way to Bolton Wanderers' then ground Burnden Park, has been on public display since the gallery opened in 2000, but was not owned by the venue.

It's bid, however, at the Modern British and Irish Art Sale held at Christie's in London, together with The Law Family Charitable Foundation, was successful and the painting will now remain in Salford on display at the gallery.

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The much-loved work of art has been on public display on loan from the Professional Footballers' Association. Following their decision to sell it, there were no guarantees that any future owners would share the commitment to keeping the work on public view in Salford and free to access.

However, the successful bid meant it will now be rehung at The Lowry, where it will be free to view. The news has been warmly welcomed by the gallery and politicians.

Julia Fawcett, chief executive officer at The Lowry, said: "We passionately believed Going to the Match needed to remain on public view. Its safe return to our galleries, thanks to the wonderfully generous gift from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, will be a huge moment for Salford, and we cannot wait to bring it home.

"We know visitors will be coming in large numbers in the coming months to view this iconic and much-loved work of art, and we can't wait to welcome them. Again, I'd like to thank everyone who has helped achieve this fantastic outcome."

Paul Dennett, Salford's city mayor, added: "This painting was created in the north and belongs in the north and thanks entirely to the generosity of the Law family, it is coming home to Salford where it should be. It is so important to have this iconic piece of art on view to the public for generations to come and I will be delighted to welcome it back."

Lowry, who was inspired by scenes of industry and sport in Salford and across Greater Manchester, was born in 1887 at Barrett Street, Stretford. In his early years he lived in Victoria Park, Rusholme.

Stretched finances however forced his family to move to Pendlebury, Salford, in 1909 when he was 22. Lowry died of pneumonia at the Woods Hospital in Glossop in February 1976 aged 88. He is buried at Southern Cemetery.