Hot on the heels of England’s thrilling Women’s Euro triumph, and with the Qatar World Cup to come in barely three months, the timing could not be better for this celebration of art works now on display at Sheffield Museums Millennium Gallery.

Featuring painting, photography, film and collage, drawn from submissions across the globe, 50 shortlisted artists now have their works on display as part of The Football Art Prize exhibition.

Whether portraying the true grit of grassroots football or those at the opposite end of the spectrum, as the artworks on Roy Keane and Marcus Rashford perfectly illustrate, this is an exhibition that reflects football in its entirety.

Roy Keane, so cleverly portrayed by artist Toby Michael, emerged as overall winner, after the entries had been judged by a panel including writer, critic and broadcaster Sacha Craddock, former England player turned pundit David James MBE, former Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association Gordon Taylor OBE and Turner Prize-winning artist Mark Wallinger. 

They were joined by Jo Cunningham, Exhibitions, Collections and Archives Manger at Sunderland Museums and Winter Garden, Mark Doyle, Joint Head of Culture at Touchstones Rochdale, and Kirstie Hamilton, Director of Programmes at Sheffield Museums.

Says winning artist Toby Michael: “The painting is derived from Will Carling’s infamous “Ice cream Roy” photograph. Roy Keane often paints a clear and concise image with his plain-speaking brand of punditry, and here he is depicted simply painting a self-portrait.”  

Other works include Hat Trick, painted by Sue Spaull, now hugely topical with all the celebration and increased focus on Women’s football following England’s triumph.

“When I painted Hat Trick, it was the 100th anniversary of FIFA’s fifty-year ban on women’s football,” she said.

Soccer pundit and former England goalkeeper David James enjoyed his role as judge.

“The Football Art Prize judging was a thrilling experience,” he said. “The depth of content was quite amazing, not just in material presentation, but subject matter too.”

After its launch at Touchstones Rochdale, The Football Art Prize exhibition remains at Sheffield Museums Millennium Gallery through to October 31st. Admission is free.

When the World Cup kicks off it switches to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens from November.