Dudley Council backtracks after ordering mural of Wolves legend Steve Bull to be removed from family garage
A family has hit out at Dudley Council after bosses demanded they remove a professional mural of Steve Bull from the front of their garage – a gift for a father's 70th birthday.
Grace Stockton spent £500 on getting the image painted of the Wolves legend on the garage of her parents' home in Norton, Stourbridge.
It was a 70th birthday treat for her dad Eddie Solly, a huge Wanderers fan.
The artwork has even had the seal of approval from Steve Bull himself – and has been there since September.
Dudley Council threatened to take 'formal action' unless it was removed by January 4 – the authority sent the family a letter explaining the 'advert' needed to be removed.
But today leader of the council Patrick Harley has said "no further action will be taken".
Grace said in a Facebook post originally: "So my parents have received a letter from Dudley Council saying they have til Jan 4 to remove the Steve Bull tribute I had painted on my dad's garage door for his 70th birthday. Hope the sad w****** that reported him have a really s*** Christmas!! Bully won’t be going anywhere without a fight."
Support
Members of the community rallied round to support the family.
Toni Sidebotham, a nearby resident, said: "Absolutely shocking it's his garage and not harming anyone. There's so much worse things happening right now."
Grace said Steve Bull had even FaceTimed her father last week and Mr Solly took him outside and showed him the garage. She said he thought it was "incredible".
She added that the family had received nothing but support from neighbours so they were shocked to receive the letter from Dudley Council.
Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said today: "We have received a complaint about the garage door and therefore have to act on it, and we hope people understand we have a duty to represent everyone.
"However, things are never that straight forward and we completely understand how important football is to people’s lives. Common sense has to prevail with this and I have instructed officers to take no further action."
