DUDLEY council have backed down in the row over a Wolves soccer mural on the garage door of a Stourbridge cancer survivor.

Council leader Patrick Harley defended the original decision because the council were following up on a complaint, but he says: “Common sense has to prevail.”

In what is an acceptance that the council had scored an own goal with their decision to order its removal, he said: "We completely understand how important football is to people’s lives. I have instructed officers to take no further action.”

Read more: Here is how the row began

The news was treated with joy by the family, and dad Eddie Solly has pledged to ‘cherish’ the mural for the rest of his life.

“How wonderful,” said daughter Grace Stockton when we broke the news to her.

“Thank you so much. The story really exploded. My dad is going to be so happy.

“This has been quite a shock to him. He has never had an issue with the council in the 35 years he has lived here and he did not want to get into a legal argument and was worried he would be forced to remove it.”

Councillor Harley explained that they had received a complaint and had to act upon it. “We hope people understand we have a duty to represent everyone.”

Grace, who commissioned the painting for her dad in Sheraton Grange, Norton, said it was a mystery who had complained because the neighbours – including fans of other soccer clubs - had come out to say they had no problem with it.

The mural shows Wolves legend Steve Bull and was painted by an artist as a special 70th birthday gift for lifelong fan Mr Solly.

But the family were shocked when they received a letter from the council demanding it was removed by January 4 as it was ‘an advertisement sign’ and broke a rule that it should not be bigger than 0.3 metres.

Grace explained that because the artist, who runs Artwork by Joe in Wolverhampton, needed good weather, the spray painting was done in September ahead of Eddie’s birthday.

Wife Helen arranged for a trip out with Eddie and their grandson Gunner to clear the way for the artist to do his work, and it was an ‘emotional’ surprise for Eddie to pull into the driveway and see Steve Bull staring back at him.

“It’s a fantastic piece of work,” said Grace. “Dad loves it. He thinks it’s unbelievable.”

The painting is special because it also marks Eddie’s recovery after two very rough years.

He was diagnosed with lung cancer and had part of a lung removed before undergoing a programme of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

And to top it all he had only just recovered from having Covid as well.

So having received the all clear Grace wanted to make this birthday special and spent £500 on commissioning the work.

She’s bought a lot of memorabilia for her dad over the years. Although from Kent originally, he’s a lifelong Wolves fan, and Steve Bull is not just his favourite all-time player, he’s ‘a God.”

“Mum says there are three people in their marriage: her, dad and Steve Bull. She loves the painting too”

She had hoped to book him to come to her father’s birthday, but when Covid put paid to a big celebration she instead organised a 40-minute Facetime call.

“Steve was really touched by the painting. He thought it was brilliant.”

Grace had vowed that the family would fight the council over it and a solicitor who is a Wolves fan had offered legal advice after hearing about the row.