A stunning mural honouring Rochdale AFC icon Joe Thompson has been unveiled at the Crown Oil Arena, prompting a tidal wave of emotional tributes, social media posts, and mild confusion from the council, who hadn’t prepared for something genuinely uplifting to appear in public view.
Painted by famed muralist AKSE, the portrait captures Joe mid-celebration after his legendary 2018 goal against Charlton, a moment which not only kept Rochdale in League One, but reportedly caused three local men to spontaneously weep into their pies.
Joe’s family commissioned the tribute in partnership with the club, combining art, inspiration and a subtle but effective distraction from the crumbling state of Sandy Lane.
“Joe will be smiling,” said his wife Chantelle, while a council spokesperson was seen quietly Googling ‘how to apply for heritage status before someone puts graffiti on it.’
The mural also features Joe’s quote: “Don’t live life to survive, live life to thrive,” which has already been co-opted by three wellness influencers and a dodgy T-shirt brand based in Heywood.
Fans took to Facebook and Instagram to react with comments such as “Amazing tribute,” “Top work,” and one man simply typing “YES JOE LAD” 46 times with no punctuation. Others noted it was the first time they’d been emotionally moved by anything on Willbutts Lane that didn’t involve a parking fine.
Thompson, who survived cancer twice before returning to score one of the most important goals in the club’s history, was described by fans as “one of our own”, a phrase Rochdalians typically reserve for pies, chips, and exceptionally well-behaved Labradors.
After retiring in 2019, Joe went on to become a motivational speaker, football pundit and all-round top human, which, by Rochdale standards, basically makes him the local Dalai Lama.
Meanwhile, the mural has reportedly prompted a small-scale crisis within the planning department, who are now panicking that more people might start showing up just to look at it.
One town planner, speaking anonymously, said: “We’re not used to public art that isn’t a bus stop with a broken bin. Frankly, it’s suspicious.”
Reporting from down the M62, where the tributes are heartfelt and the public infrastructure slightly less so.
