DEAL TOWN’S epic FA Vase triumph at Wembley in May last year has been captured on canvas by local artist Clive Metcalfe. He was commissioned to produce the painting by Sandie Wilson, the partner of Deal’s Vase-winning manager Tommy Sampson, as a special birthday gift for the former Town boss.

All three parties are delighted with the painting, from which 250 limited edition prints will be produced for sale.

The painting depicts various moments and scenes from the Wembley triumph, including Roly Graham’s winning goal against Chippenham and the open-top bus parade around the town three days later, as well as portraits of Sampson and all the Deal squad and officials.

Metcalfe said: “Tommy and Sandie supplied me with lots of photos of the final, as well as a video of the game, for me to look at. I had several meetings with Tommy, during which he told me what he would like to see in the painting, and then I produced a cartoon to give him an idea of what it would look like.

“It took me about two months to paint, on and off, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s much more illustrative than the work I normally do, but I trained as an illustrator when I was at college and it was nice to go back to that again.”

The painting will be available for viewing at Clive’s studio gallery at 6 St George’s Passage from October 9-13.

The prints will be signed by Clive and Tommy. Framed and mounted 50x60cm prints will cost £55, and ordinary 35x45cm prints £35. For every print sold, Clive will make a £5 donation to Deal Town.