Burley Banksy paints Max Jowitt tribute mural at Wakefield pub after Trinity triumph
A new mural celebrating a rugby league star has appeared on the side of a Stanley pub to paying tribute to his contribution to the season.
The artwork at the Waggon & Horses has been created by Wakefield-born street artist Andy McVeigh, known as Burley Banksy, to thank Max Jowitt for his time with Wakefield Trinity following the club’s Grand Final triumph.
The fullback has since moved to York Knights.
Andy said: “Max Jowitt is from Stanley and they've won Grand Final so I was asked to do it to celebrate.
"I had to rush it a bit because it was going to rain. Luckily we got away with it.”
The pub invited Trinity supporters to visit and take photographs with the artwork, thanking Jowitt for his time with the club.
Paul Spooner, managing director of LongSpoon Pub Co, which owns the pub, said Jowitt’s connection to the area made the tribute fitting.
He said: “I knew Max had begun his career as a child playing for Stanley Rangers – coached by my friend Lee Hudson.”
He said he had followed Trinity and Jowitt’s professional career for some time, adding that his pubs promoted both local and professional sport.
Paul said: “With Max and the team reaching the pinnacle of their sport, Max’s heritage locally and now his move to York finalised, it seemed a fitting tribute that I, the local community and Max can be proud of every time we pass the pub.”
He said he was “absolutely” pleased with the mural.
Andy has previously worked with Paul on murals at his other pubs, including tributes to football figures Daniel Farke and Jack Charlton.
The artist has built a profile through his street art around Wakefield and Leeds.
His work includes designs celebrating Leeds United, while a previous commission for Wakefield Trinity saw him paint club-themed artwork on electrical boxes around Belle Vue.
His wider work features sport, music and popular culture, alongside commissions and community art projects.
Andy has also used his artwork to show support for NHS staff during the coronavirus pandemic, painting a tribute outside Pinderfields Hospital to thank doctors and nurses for their work.
He said he had created the piece as a thank you to healthcare workers during the outbreak.