Local artist paints England stars Bellingham and Rogers on chip shop mural

In Quinton, a suburb of Birmingham, England, a vibrant mural has transformed the side of a fish and chip shop into a local landmark. The artwork features football stars Jude Bellingham and Morgan Rogers, depicted enjoying a local delicacy: orange chips. Local artist Dion Kitson created the mural, aiming to celebrate West Midlands pride and its homegrown talent.

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My phone’s been on fire.

The piece has become a viral sensation on social media, drawing a steady stream of admirers. Passersby, from groups of pensioners to children, have visited to celebrate the local heroes. The mural's popularity has significantly boosted business for Classic Fryer, the chip shop it adorns. Owner Ramesh Natwadia has opened two hours earlier and hired two extra staff members to manage the influx of fans.

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It’s a beautiful moment that’ll stay with me for ever, it melts your heart. Football transcends everything.

Kitson expressed his delight at the mural's reception, noting it has received the biggest response of his career, with posts from Bellingham and Rogers themselves. He intended the artwork to promote a positive sense of local pride, distinct from what he described as the "dark side of patriotism" seen online. The mural also aims to challenge stigmas surrounding the Black Country's industrial heritage by highlighting Bellingham's local roots.

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It’s strange that he’s from our neck of the woods, having role models that sound like us.

"It's a beautiful moment that'll stay with me for ever, it melts your heart. Football transcends everything," Kitson said. He hopes the mural will put Birmingham and the Black Country "on the map," particularly for young people who might feel overlooked. Local residents echo this sentiment, expressing pride in their "local lads" and the positive boost the artwork provides to the region.

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I quite like the idea that as a school kid or something he would have came through here. I like the idea that I can put Dudley or the Black Country or Birmingham on the map.