I got a giant mural of England star Declan Rice painted on my pub… fans point out the same thing – but it’s a good omen
A PUB landlord has backed England to bring football home after splashing out on a giant mural of his favourite player.
Daniel Morgan, 34, commissioned a wall-length painting of midfield ace Declan Rice on the side of his pub in Orsett, Essex.
The massive West Ham fan was even more thrilled when the Hammers captain surprised him by turning up to The Kings Arms and posed outside this weekend.
He told The Sun: "We didn't know he was coming.
"One of my locals pulled in and said: 'Dan, Declan's at your wall' - I thought he was giving me stick.
"I couldn't believe it. I introduced myself and we shook hands, he said he loved it and needed to get down to see it.
"Declan said he saw it all over social media - so he signed the wall for me.
"I was just so thankful that he found the time to get to see us, he is a gentleman."
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Daniel added that as most of his regulars are West Ham fans, the midfield maestro's visit is "the talk of the pub at the minute".
After the West Ham star's unannounced visit, the pub landlord wrote on Instagram: "Thank you Rice for taking the time to come down last night and have some pictures.
"What a gentleman. Good luck in the World Cup."
West Ham season-ticket holder Daniel said that the mural was “something different".
But while the massive mural is going viral across social media, eagle-eyed fans may spot something slightly off about the World Cup mural.
Painter Richy Hughes daubed TWO gold stars to represent England's historic win in 1966 and another in Qatar.
Daniel added: "Hopefully it’ll get the lads to put another star on the shirt."
As well as the mural, the inside of the pub is covered in England flags ready for the Three Lions’ first game against Iran on November 21.
A first-time landlord, Daniel has been managing the pub for just seven weeks - and said he is putting on a £3.50-a-pint deal to run through every England game.
He said he loves the village of Orsett and the punters who will be watching England's games inside The Kings Arms.
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Daniel is predicting that England will lift the World Cup trophy this year: "Going by the last two tournaments, our name's definitely in the hat to go all the way.
"Hopefully we hit the ground running!"
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He added that if England do win the tournament for the first time since 1966, he will commission another mural showing Declan Rice holding the iconic trophy.
- Painter Richy has written a World Cup song called 'Stick Another Star On The Shirt' with group The 12th Man, to raise money for the The Jeff Astle Foundation, which can be streamed on Spotify.
