AN ARTIST has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, after being asked by the League Managers Association (LMA) to paint pictures for its Hall of Fame.

Ben Mosley, of High Street, Baldock, combined his passion of football with his job as a professional artist, after being commissioned by the LMA to paint a picture when he was found through his website.

As well as creating a painting which was bought by the LMA because it was liked so much, Ben produced a piece called “A Manager For All Seasons”, which was signed by Jose Mourinho and auctioned off for �3,000 at the Hall of Fame dinner in London.

“From an artist’s point of view, it’s not the done thing to get your picture signed by someone else, but it makes it quite unique and rare. It’s an honour,” said Ben.

“The evening was good and I got to speak to Fabio Capello. He recognised my work and I gave him my business card and I also spoke to Richard Keys who took about six of my cards.”

Ben’s picture had to contain a series of criteria, including all the football league clubs, logos and a series of trophies such as the FA cup and the Premiership trophy.

It will now be re-printed and sent out to the FA, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Premier League clubs.

“I would describe my work as abstract figurative. It’s different, and because it’s about football it makes it slightly unique,” said Ben. “That is my identity. It is memorable.”

Ben has previously tasted success as the artist for Barnsley Football Club, and is also part of an artist run gallery called Skylark, which is based in the Oxo Building in Southbank.

To view his other pieces, visit www.benmosleyart.com