Football mural found in home built during England's 1966 World Cup win

They had only just begun the task of stripping their daughter's bedroom when they made an unexpected yet timely discovery.

Peeling back the wallpaper at their house in Leng Crescent, in the Eaton suburb of Norwich, the couple were astounded to uncover an unusual mural.

Plastered across an entire wall was a painting celebrating footballing legends - including those who played during England’s 1966 World Cup triumph.

The pair discovered the mural while preparing to decorate their daughters bedroom (Image: Submitted)

They have since discovered the detailed work - depicting stars of the era including Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, George Best and Brian Kidd - was painted by the late Brian Savory, a local artist who died in 2023.

For 60 years, Mr Savory lived in the house - built during the historic year of 1966 - with his wife Joyce and their sons Eric and Keith after moving from London.

The house in Eaton where the football mural by artist Brian Savory has been uncovered (Image: Denise Bradley)

The couple believe the serendipitous discovery of the mural could be a good omen for victory in this year's World Cup.

However, Mr and Mrs Shelbourn are now in a predicament over what to do with the artwork as their three-and-a-half-year-old daughter has requested pink walls with rainbows and unicorns.

The football mural discovered in the house built during the World Cup 1966 (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Our daughter had started to feel a bit sad about her room, so we decided to brighten it up by painting one wall pink with a rainbow for her," Mr Shelbourn said.

"I started using a wallpaper steamer on that wall and, completely by chance, discovered the mural underneath.

George Best in the football mural uncovered during redecorating (Image: Denise Bradley)

"It was the first wall we'd worked on, so we had absolutely no idea it was there.

"We'd only just finished another house renovation before moving here, and we're planning to make this our long-term family home, so there's no rush to decorate the rest of the house."

He described being "fascinated" as the uncovering happened, adding: "It was so much fun uncovering more of it as we went along.

Gordon Banks in the football mural (Image: Denise Bradley)

"We're a bit conflicted because we have to decide whether to carry on with our original decorating plans for that wall or try to preserve it as a piece of history.

"The original plan was simply to paint that wall pink with a rainbow for our daughter, but finding the mural has made us stop and think.

"It's such an unexpected discovery and feels historically significant, so we're considering whether there's a way to preserve it instead of simply painting over it."

Neighbours who knew Mr Savory had hinted to Mr and Mrs Shelbourn that there may be a mural somewhere in the house when the pair moved in a month ago.

The couple suspect the artwork was papered over when Mr Savory's children moved out.

Brian Savory (Image: EACH)

Mr Shelbourn added: "Considering the house itself was built in 1966 - the year of England's only World Cup triumph - and with the 2026 World Cup currently capturing everyone's imagination, we couldn't help but think, what are the chances?

"It felt like we'd uncovered a wonderful little piece of football and local history, hidden away for decades.

"It's a lovely reminder of some of England's greatest sporting moments, and perhaps a small symbol of hope that history might just repeat itself in 2026."

The artist's signature, Brian Savory, in the football mural uncovered during redecorating (Image: Denise Bradley)

Mrs Shelbourn said: "I think our daughter was a bit shocked when she woke up after our late-night wallpaper stripping. Now we are open to suggestions on what to do with it."

Mr Savory had also fitted the house out with wooden cabinets and shelving units, which the couple intend to preserve. They have described the original owner as a remarkable craftsman.

Wood fixtures made by Brian Savory (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Brian also did all this carpentry and was very meticulous," Mrs Shelbourn said.

"Other people said they wanted to tear everything out but we like it and it’s of its time and so strong - not like anything you can buy these days.

"We made sure to tell Keith, the son who was selling the house, that we would keep it.

"We are not going to rip the whole thing apart, we want to preserve what is here. It doesn’t need to be a museum but it's nice."

The wood fixtures made by artist Brian Savory. (Image: Denise Bradley)

A NORFOLK LEGACY

Born in London, Mr Savory moved with his family to Norwich in 1966.

He painted scenes from across East Anglia, including the Norfolk Broads and Suffolk villages.

He worked full time at Norwich City College, where he taught drawing, painting, model-making, design and decorating.

Artwork by the late Brian Savory (Image: EACH)

He died on November 25, 2023 aged 92.

Last year, some of his handiwork went under the hammer after his family donated 300 pieces to raise vital funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).

Artwork by the late Brian Savory (Image: EACH)