Painting on Elland Road is 'as good as it gets' for Leeds United artist as he completes relocated mural

A popular Leeds United fan artist has said painting on the side of Elland Road is “as good as it gets.”

The Whites’ plans for a new West Stand at Elland Road were greenlit in January and as part of the proposals a beloved mural has had to be moved and repainted.

Nicolas Dixon, the well known Leeds United superfan and artist behind the striking Bielsa The Redeemer mural, has been recommissioned by the club to move his original work - which pays tribute to the 1972 FA Cup winning side.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Nicolas said that he felt “privileged” being invited back to play his part in the stadium’s redevelopment.

“As a Leeds United fan painting on the side of Elland Road is as good as it gets,” Nicolas said. “Then to see that work being painted over, was quite traumatic to be honest, but I’m just glad that we’re back on with it and it’s such a privilege to get to do it again.

“With all the work going on at the stadium it feels like it’s exciting times down there and they’re not messing about. Fans will complain about transfers and things like that but it just feels like the club is moving in the right direction.”

The mural, positioned at the north east corner of the ground, celebrates the club’s 1972 FA Cup triumph and features legendary manager Don Revie, trainer and coach Les Cocker and a host of now-iconic players.

As part of the stadium’s refurbishment, the wall that the mural was painted on is to become the club’s new security hub, with the current hub being knocked down. The need for outward kiosk windows meant that the mural needed to be moved and repainted.

Nicolas was originally commissioned by the Leeds United Supporters Trust to hand paint the abstract design in 2022, using original portraits designed by fellow artist Paul Trevillion, to mark 50 years since the club’s FA Cup success.

Re-enlisting the help of his graphic designer, Nicolas admitted that relocating the mural wasn’t as simple as he initially thought it might be and became a process of trial and error.

“I had to reconfigure the players and totally redesign it as the kiosk was right on Don Revie’s head,” he explained. “It was more difficult than I expected to be honest but I’m quite happy with how it all fits, and I actually prefer it now to how it was before.

“I’m not the best with computers, so it’s just a process of ‘can you move this here, can you move that there.’ A bit of trial and error but the players are all on now and I’m just putting the background and colours in.”

Nicolas, who has teased a few surprises on the finished mural, is planning to put the finishing touches to his work this weekend, with it already viewable to the passing public.

Work continues to gather pace at Elland Road ahead of the new season, with the Whites’ next home game due to be a pre-season friendly against RB Leipzig on August 8.

The major redevelopment will ultimately see the stadium’s capacity increase by over 15,000, from 37,645 to 53,000.