Idea of Sparksy mural at Life Centre rejected

PUBLIC HAS RAISED THOUSANDS OF POUNDS TO HONOUR 'VOICE OF ARGYLE'

- WILLIAM TELFORD

PLANS to have a huge mural painted on the side of the Life Centre in tribute to “voice of Plymouth Argyle” Gordon Sparks have been kiboshed by Plymouth City Council.

Thousands of pounds have been raised from the public but the authority has told the team behind the mural project it is a non-starter because it might have to pay costs in future.

John McNulty, the former Argyle chief executive and project manager for the Gordon Sparks Mural Committee, said he was “gutted”. He said all planning and other permissions had been secured and money ring-fenced for ongoing maintenance of the painting.

He said there was even an offer to remove it after five to 10 years and repaint the entire side of the Life Centre facing the Pilgrims’ Home Park stadium.

Mr McNulty, who was in charge at Argyle during the redevelopment of the football ground 20 years ago, said: “I’m totally gutted and have had a few sleepless nights over this.

“We are only painting a wall, for goodness sake. I’ve had more trouble over painting this wall than with the whole development of Home Park.”