The official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire and daughter of footballing legend Willie Maddren has presented her father’s former club with one of her exclusive pieces.
North Yorkshire pastel artist, Lucy Pittaway, who was chosen as the official artist for this year’s Tour de Yorkshire, has created a series of images of the local area that captured the spirit of the race.
One of her pieces, named Northern Light, features a number of landmarks seen on the final stage of the race from Middlesbrough to Scarborough, including the Transporter Bridge, Roseberry Topping, the White Horse of Kilburn and Sutton Bank.
She presented the piece to Middlesbrough Football Club – her father’s former club – at a special event at the Riverside Stadium, where it will be on display in the Willie Maddren Centre.
Lucy, who was named the best up and coming artist of 2016 at this year’s Fine Art Trade Guild Awards, said the Northern Light picture had been her second most popular painting from her collection.
“I am proud that Middlesbrough Football Club would like to hang one of my pictures in the Willie Maddren Centre. My Dad loved his home county and was very proud of its heritage and of course, he loved Middlesbrough Football Club,” she added.
“I feel it is the perfect place for the picture to hang and hope it serves as a great reminder of a wonderful sporting event in our region. One which I feel incredibly proud and lucky to have been a part of.”
Her father, Willie, started his career in the late 1960s and went on to become widely regarded as the best Boro player to never win a full England international cap. He died in August 2000 having been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 1995.
Neil Bausor, Chief Executive Officer of Middlesbrough Football Club, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to receive this painting from Lucy on behalf of Middlesbrough Football Club. The special connections with her father Willie Maddren a Boro legend makes the piece all the more poignant for the football club.”
Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, added: “Lucy has been a fantastic ambassador for the Tour de Yorkshire and her pieces thoroughly embody the spirit of the race.
“I am sure her piece will look fantastic at the Riverside Stadium, the home of her father’s former club.”