Most people know that Leeds United are the greatest team in the land. For those who don’t, well, I’m sure it’s probably just a matter of time. Fortunately fans of the club and fans of street art have also been treated in recent years to a series of Leeds United themed murals popping up in places near to Elland Road and across the city. This post looks at all the Leeds United Murals and shows you where to find them.
Dotted around the city of Leeds and it’s outskirts. The Leeds United murals range from large scale pieces from artists such as Tankpetrol, Nicolas Dixon, Adam Duffield and Akse P19. To smaller but more widely spread works created by the local street artist known as the Burley Banksy. These latter pieces are hard to miss, with telecom boxes being a favoured canvas of the artist. Many of the works have been commissioned and supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust.
Leeds United Murals Locations Map
Leeds United Murals
Elland Road
Champions – Mateusz Klich & Meds One
It’s rare that the worlds of sport and graffiti combine. But in Leeds and Poland international Mateusz Klich we have a particularly fine crossover. Not only is Klich one of the heroes of Leeds championship season but he is also a graffiti writer. His champions piece shows off some of his style nicely. It was supported by his friend Adam Duffield who also goes by the name of Meds One. Both artists have painted together before and this piece can be found at the Elland Road stadium.
We’ve Been Through it all Together – Nicolas Dixon & Paul Trevillion
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Leeds United’s first and only FA Cup win in 1972 when the defeated Arsenal 1-0. Supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust it was painted by Nicolas Dixon and Paul Trevlillion. It sits at the front of the Elland Road stadium and features portraits of all the cup winning team. Both artists are long time fans of the club. For Nicolas Dixon, it’s the third of his Leeds United Murals with others to be found in Pudsey and Wortley. The yellow and blue patterning surrounding the mural is in his distinctive style.
Paul Trevillion meanwhile is an illustrator who for years worked as a sports artist for a number of national newspapers. The portraits featured in the mural are his. Trevillion knew the players he was painting well. Back in 1972 he had been hired by Don Revie to help give a boost to Leeds United’s image. As part of his role, Revie had asked him to sort out a song for the cup final. The end result ‘Leeds, Leeds, Leeds’ would eventually become better known as ‘Marching On Together‘ the clubs anthem to this day
Marching on Together – Jameson Rogan
Painted in 2017 the ‘Marching on Together’ mural greets fans as they walk along Lowfields Road towards the Elland Road stadium. It depicts the formidable midfield quartet from Leeds United’s 1992 championship winning side. In particular it shows Gary Speed, David Batty, Gary McAllister and Gordon Strachan. The manager Howard Wilkinson is shown in the middle walking with the trophy. Funded via crowdfunder by the Leeds United Supporters Trust it was painted by local artist Jameson Rogan.
United at Home – Adam Duffield
Created to celebrate the fact that fans were once again allowed back into stadiums following the pandemic lockdown. For Leeds fans it had been quite a journey. The team won the championship title yet could only celebrate behind locked doors. The season afterwards saw a return to smaller socially distanced crowds. This was prior to full stadiums being allowed once more on 19 July 2021. Local artist Adam Duffield created the piece with sponsors Hisense and the Leeds United Supporters Trust.
Armley
Vinnie Jones – Tom Crowe
A Leeds United legend, Vinnie Jones moved from Wimbledon to Leeds in 1989 and instantly became a cult hero. Only playing one full season, that season would become iconic in the clubs history. The time that Leeds United would win the old second division championship and be promoted back to the old first division. Painted by Tom Crowe of the Northern Mural Company it is another mural supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust. The piece shows Vinnie Jones in the teams yellow away kit used that season. In the background is the badge worn during that campaign.
Bramley
Gary Speed – Claire Bentley-Smith
A mural to mark the anniversary of Leeds United hero Gary Speed can be found in Bramley. Showing Speed in goal-scoring form it was painted by Claire Bentley-Smith aka Poshfruit Creative and supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust. Gary Speed sadly lost his life to suicide and the mural has also been created with Andy’s Man Club a mental health charity. Speaking on her instagram the artist said that it was “a matter very close to my heart after losing dad the same way 27 years ago and I love the vital work of @andysmanclubuk helping men, especially Yorkshire ones, open up about mental health!”
Chapel Allerton
The Chief – Adam Duffield
The portrait of former Leeds captain Lucas Radebe is on the side Sweeny Todd Barbers on Potternewton Lane. painted by Adam Duffield aka Meds One. It shows Radebe in action against the backdrop of his national South African flag. Written, it says ‘The Chief’ which was the name given to him by Leeds United fans. Next is the phrase ‘This is my hero‘ which was used by Nelson Mandela himself on a visit to Leeds after seeing Radebe in a crowd. The choice of location was on account of the fact that Radebe himself was a regular at the barbers. It was supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust and ‘Fans for Diversity’.
Guiseley
Managers Mural – Phil Harris
On the side of the Yorkshire Rose pub in Guiseley, Phil Harris’s mural commemorates three former managers. Each of them joined together by having won the championship trophy during their time at the club. They are each shown connected to the silverware through different coloured energies. Painted in October 2021 the mural was supported by the Leeds United Supporters Trust.
Holbeck
Giant Leeds United Badge – Shane Green
At the end of Tilbury Mount in Holbeck just next to the footbridge over the M62 is a giant mural of the Leeds United badge. Painted in 2019 by local artist Shane Green it marks the centenary year of the club with the dates 1919 and 2019 written on either side. The location is special. Normally a quiet spot it represents a popular walking route for the fans heading to Elland Road. Somewhere that the artist himself also walks past and knows well. “The mural is a gift to the fans and to Hunslet” he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Fans Scene – Andy Sykes
Running under a pedestrian subway in Holbeck. This cartoon scene of fans celebrating was painted by local artist Andy Sykes. “I wanted to paint something that represented the heritage of Leeds and Holbeck” he said. “I’m not a massive football fan but I obviously know how important Leeds United are to the city as a whole and this area in particular”. The mural forms part of one of the walking routes to Elland Road. It’s part of a wider effort to support regeneration and to encourage more Leeds fans to make matchday journeys on foot.
Hyde Park
Marcelo Bielsa – Tankpetrol
The mural of Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa appeared on Hyde Park Corner just before the start of the 2021/22 premiership season. Painted by Manchester based Polish artist, Tankpetrol, the artist is no stranger to the city. We featured a previous mural by the artist when he collaborated with the Nomad Clan on a mural in Globe Lane. That piece has long since been demolished but this one possibly even better represents his graphic style. The mural was funded by the Parklane group. Speaking to the BBC, managing director Naveen Ahmed said: “We felt it was only right to pay tribute to the superb style of play that Bielsa has introduced to Leeds United which has engaged so many people in the city”
Leeds City Centre
Paving the Way – Akse P19
A mural created in partnership with Leeds United and Roc Nation a marketing agency. Situated on the Calls in Leeds it shows former Leeds United and England star Kalvin Phillips. He is flanked by former footballers Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe. Called ‘Paving the Way’ it pays tribute to the black players who came before and who paved the way for others. Johanneson was a South African who signed for Leeds in 1961. He became a key player for Leeds and the first black player to play in an FA cup final. Another South African Lucas Radebe signed for Leeds in 1994 becoming captain of both his club and his country. The mural was painted by Akse P-19 himself an artist known for his striking portraiture.
Pablo Hernandez – Adam Duffield
A hugely popular player during his time at the club. Pablo Hernandez was one of the stars of Leeds United’s promotion push to the premiership. Funded by the Leeds United Supporters Trust, it takes a prominent position on the side of the Duck and Drake pub. Local artist Adam Duffield aka Meds One was commissioned to create the piece. It shows Hernandez celebrating a goal scored against Swansea City. A vital moment in the teams promotion season. Duffield has contributed to several Leeds United murals including the champions piece with Mateusz Klich and ‘United at Home’ overlooking Elland Road stadium.
United We Stand – Jiem
Painted in 2016 the now faded ‘United we Stand’ mural can be found at 85 Kirkgate in the city. Indeed it’s got a fair shout as being the oldest Leeds United mural currently standing. Painted by French artist Jiem he was commissioned as the first artist in residence at the ‘Art Hostel’. Working with East Street Arts he was inspired by the role and importance of football. The mural also featured a lot in the Amazon documentary ‘Take me Home’.
Peacock Mural (Marching Out Together) – Cbloxx
The famous Leeds United emblem of the Peacock painted by Cbloxx overlooks the busy A64. Called Marching Out Together it was commissioned by the organisation of the same name. Their aim to promote diversity in football especially amongst LGBTQ+ supporters. On the side of East Street Arts they also supported the work along with the club themselves. The Peacock is a symbol of Leeds United and is one of the clubs nicknames. You can read all about this piece here.
Pudsey
Legends Mural – Nicolas Dixon
Painted in 2021 the mural by Nicolas Dixon pays tributes to some of the Leeds United legends who had recently passed away. It shows Jack Charlton, Peter Lorimer, Trevor Cherry and Norman Hunter all former heroes of the club. Speaking to leedsunited.com Dixon said “It’s been quite emotional working on this mural, especially as I’m a lifelong Leeds fan. I’m proud to be able to combine my two passions in art and Leeds United. I’m looking forward to everyone visiting it and I hope it continues to spread some more joy around the city”.
Woodhouse
Leeds United Badges – Phil Harris
Overlooking Meanwood Road heading into the city, this is a homage to all the Leeds United badges of the past. It shows the clubs current iteration alongside 10 previous versions all etched on to a football which itself is crashing into the back of a net. Another piece commissioned by the Leeds Untied Supporters Trust the only badge it doesn’t show is the 2018 version which showed the ‘Leeds Salute’. Widely ridiculed by fans that was soon abandoned as an idea so wasn’t included. For the artist Phil Harris, the mural is his second Leeds United based piece having also painted the ‘Managers Mural’ on the Yorkshire Rose pub in Guiseley.
Wortley
Bielsa the Redeemer – Nicolas Dixon
Painted on Oldfield Road in Wortley, Bielsa the Redemmer is a mural featuring Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.. Painted by local artist Nicolas Dixon and supported by Andy McVeigh aka the Burley Banksy. The piece shows Bielsa as Christ the Redeemer. In Spanish it says ‘Marchando Juntos – Dos Mil Veinte’ which translates to Marching on Together – 2020′.
Last Game Before the World Stopped Going Round – Burley Banksy
The last game at Elland Road prior to fans being excluded from the stadium due to the pandemic. It would mean a period of playing behind closed doors followed by small increases in capacity. The championship season was won in front of no fans at all. The mural commemorates that game and that moment, a 2-0 against local rivals Huddersfield Town in which Luke Ayling scored. The quotes on the mural are taken from the commentary of the game. The piece was painted by Andy McVeigh aka the Burley Banksy.
Across the City
Leeds Painted Boxes – Burley Banksy
The Burley Banksy is by far the most prolific street artist in the area. His work is all over with an special focus in the streets surrounding Elland Road. Capturing them all would be a whole different article. They are all unique, different and with homages paid to different eras at the club.
The murals and street art of Leeds United were visited first on 15 January 2022 and then at various points in the year
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