HIS gloves helped save points on the field and now Owain Fon Williams’ paint brush has helped score £3,000 for the Pars off it.

The 33-year-old, who joined the club on loan from Hamilton Academical in January, decided to combine lockdown and his passion for art by creating a striking canvas to raise funds for the ‘Support the Pars’ campaign.

Welsh international goalkeeper Fon Williams, who has a collection of his work available online, used an image of East End from the 1960s to depict supporters heading to the ground.

The canvas was then auctioned online by supporter Kenny McLachlan and by the time it came to a close last Saturday, the winning bid was revealed to be the huge four-figure sum.

That has helped take the ‘Support the Pars’ total beyond its initial £40,000 target and Fon Williams, who still has a year left on his contract with Accies, was delighted to play his part.

“I didn’t know what the bid was at at any stage,” he told Press Sport.

“The auctioneer was taking all the bids in and didn’t let me know until afterwards. It kept everyone on their toes and me anticipating!

“A lot of research and things went into it and I wanted it to do well for the club. I’m absolutely over the moon with the reaction and how much it’s gone for.

“It’’s helped them reach their target and took it just over £40,000. It’s brilliant and goes to show that it’s a tight community. It’s a difficult time and, for so many people wanting to help by giving what they can, shows a real community in Fife and Dunfermline.

“From my point of view, it’s nice to be part of that, but what matters is that the money goes to the club and it gets enough money to able to maintain the club and football in Dunfermline.”

Fon Williams, who hopes to hand his work to the winning bidder when COVID-19 restrictions begin to lift, continued: “With art, it’s something personal to you.

“It’s your thoughts, research and imagination, and a lot of hours, that go in to get things right.

“I needed to think of something iconic about the club. I have never seen the stadium like that before myself but my eye took me to the turnstile, and some of it is still there.

“It could relate to any Pars supporter today, and from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s or whatever. I like the research that goes into it and I wanted it to be personal to whoever likes the picture.

“From a personal point of view, it’s nice to hear people like the painting and would enjoy having it in their living room.”

Drew Main, chair of the Pars Supporters Trust and the club’s supporter liaison officer, added: “What an incredible gesture from Owain. Speaking to him earlier, it’s clear he has developed an affinity with the club and the fans in his short time here and for him to have made this work available to us at this time is fantastic.”

 

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