Sign up to FREE email alerts from NorthWalesLive - Anglesey News Subscribe Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

One of Wales’ Euro 2016 heroes has once again picked up his easel to immortalise an unforgettable summer.

Unlike most professional footballers, Owain Fôn Williams is more likely to be found picking up the palette and paints than spending his free time on the X-box or golf course.

Having unveiled a tribute to his fellow squad members last year, the Inverness Caledonian Thistle goalkeeper, who grew up in Dyffryn Nantlle, has painted a fresh canvas - inspired by the friendship and personal bond between Joe Ledley and Anglesey-born goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey.

Despite not being selected in the squad, following a frustrating injury-hit season in the Scottish Highlands, Williams, 30, will be cheering on the boys in tonight’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Austria, from TV studio as he provides punditry for S4C.

(Image: HANDOUT BY OWAIN FON WILLIAMS)

Williams, who played for Crewe and Tranmere before venturing up north, displayed some of his newest work displayed at the National Eisteddfod Maes on Anglesey last month.

There were portraits of Gareth Bale lining to take up a free kick, Welsh fans walking by the Eiffel Tower, and Joe Ledley enjoying a well deserved post-match beverage in his own distinct manner.

The former Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle pupil was initially reluctant to paint anything about last year’s European adventure in France, even though some of the boys, “Wayne and Joe especially, were asking me to”, he said.

“But coming back, I thought ‘You know what? Wales have created history by getting to France and reaching the semis.’

Belgians guard of honour for Wales fans

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“The whole occasion brought the whole of the country together, it was an unforgettable seven weeks or so. ‘Together Stronger’ was so apt.

“It felt right to try and capture that piece of history as a painting. It’s something that means an awful lot to me.”

Those images are now on display at the National Library in Aberystwyth showing 47 members of the victorious squad and staff.

And this year he decided to carry on from where he left off: “When I first started painting, it was scenes from the slate mining communities where I grew up, and characters from the area, which I loved.

(Image: TAKEN BY REPORTER, TRINITY MIRROR COPYRIGHT)

“I’m sure I’ll go back to that, but at the moment I’m enjoying looking back at that great summer it was, not just for us in the team, but the whole nation.”

William’s is now preparing a full exhibition at Oriel Ynys Môn next May.

“It takes a long time to generate enough work for a full exhibition, but I’ve already been working on portraits of the gaffer, Chris Coleman, Gareth Bale, and of course Joe and Wayne.

“I’ve got a way to go but to have my own dedicated exhibition is something quite special, and on Anglesey where my mother and the whole side of her family come from.“

(Image: TAKEN BY REPORTER, TRINITY MIRROR COPYRIGHT)

But with all minds on tonight’s game, Owain has confident in his teammates to grind out a vital three points, while hoping to work hismself back into Chris Coleman’s plans.

“We need to win, both on Saturday and against Moldova, there’s no doubt about that,” he concluded.

“These are the type of games you need three points out of, especially at home, if you’re thinking of qualifying for a major tournament.

“But I know we have enough quality in the squad, if we can be as organised as I know we can, I’m confident we’ll be marching on to Moldova with another three points in the bag.”

For more information on his work, visit www. owainfonwilliams.com