A RECENTLY refurbished Alexandria pub is celebrating sporting stars and cultural pioneers with connections to the Vale with a stylish monochrome mural.

Figures such as three-time world lightweight sculling champion Peter Haining, Scottish and British amateur boxing champion Richard ‘Skeets’ Gallacher, Scottish pro boxing champion Robert Harkins senior, Vale of Leven footballer John McDougall, who scored a hat trick in Scotland’s record 7-2 victory over England in 1878, and the 18th century poet Tobias Smollet now adorn the side wall of the Old Vale Bar on Main Street.

Owner Frank Reilly, 65, is hoping the work will open people’s eyes to the “wealth of talent” from the Vale and Renton.

Frank said he also wants the mural to remind people of the area’s stars who have been”very underrated” for their incredible achievements.

Industries that have shaped the Vale over the generations, such as the dyeworks – portrayed by a turkey for the Turkey Red colour used by Alexandria cotton dyers – are also incorporated into the artwork.

And there is even a nod to the pub’s unique equestrian regular Sir Gallahad, who is still remembered by some in the area for stopping by at the establishment for a bucket with his owner.

Frank, who is originally from Clydebank and moved to the area in 1987, said: “There is a wealth of talent from this area.

“I’ve had great feedback from people about it.

“I’ve had a few comments from people saying I’ve left people out. But there are so many, you can’t possibly get the whole array of talented people from this area on the wall.

“It’s been a big talking point.

“I’d hope people passing who see it would just think there’s more to the area.

“I’m trying to show people there’s more than just football.”

The fascinating work is the third mural created by Glasgow artist Barry Jenkins, known as Barry the Cat, for Frank, who also owns Alexandria’s Laughing Fox and The Pawn Lounge.

The Old Vale Bar’s mural completes the trio of pieces commissioned by Frank for his pubs from the artist, with The Pawn Lounge featuring a roaring lion toppling pieces on a chess board, while the Laughing Fox is decorated with a cheeky hysterical fox, chuckling as a bear hangs from the chimney.

With refurbishments of the insides of all three drinking establishments too, Frank says the style of each reflects their own history and heritage.

And Frank commended the artist for the wonders he has worked with the pubs’ murals, believing they have been fantastic additions to the Alexandria streets to help give the area a boost.

The dad of six said: “I love them. He does it all with spray paint.

“The mural for the Fox is a bit of a joke, and it brightens up the area. The Pawn has more of a political message, depicting Scottish freedom.

“This one is done in monochrome so that’s different to the others.

“There are a lot of shops closing in Alexandria, but there are a lot of lovely business people trying to liven it up.”