Graduate commissioned for new SAFC in Europe mural

Sunderland AFC’s journey from League One to the glory of Europa League qualification has been captured in a giant mural designed by a University of Sunderland graduate.

The 11 metre by five metre mural on the back wall of Victoria’s Loft and Street Bar has been commissioned by TNT Sports with local artist and Black Cats fan Kathryn Robertson tasked with capturing the club's journey back to the top table of English football.

The mural created from Kathryn’s design, captures a number of iconic moments from the Black Cats' promotion from the Championship as well as qualifying for Europe for the first time in over half-a-century.

Kathryn, from Sunderland, who graduated from the University in 2019 with a degree in Graphic Design, said: “The design captures some of SAFC’s iconic moments over the last few years, from getting promoted to the Premier League and exceeding expectations last season and securing a Europa League spot.

“I took inspiration from the players that have been pivotal to this, so I chose moments like Enzo Le Fee kissing the ball before delivering the corner to Dan Ballard to score in the last moments of Play-Offs which got us to Wembley.

"Luke O'Nien, who has been with us through League One, the Championship, Premier League and to where we are now. I think there is a lot of local pride for Chris Rigg having come up through Sunderland from being so young. Wilson Isidor is, and was, a key player throughout, as well as Brian Brobbey and Regis Le Bris.

“I also took inspiration from the fans walking over Keel Crossing towards the stadium and their excitement and pride. I worked with Creative Players and TNT Sports, and Mural Republic painted the mural and have done an unbelievable job.

“TNT Sports were keen for a Sunderland fan to design this and they also liked the style of some of the work I'd done previously with SAFC.”

You can see more of Kathryn’s work on her Instagram, @kr.illustrates