Jay Fletcher is used to creating realistic portraits but says Hull Kingston Rovers players are unusual
The Elliott Minchella portrait on the leg of Tyler Fowler.(Image: Jay Fletcher)
A talented tattoo artist in Hull has created a number of unusual works for two die-hard Robins fans in the wake of the team’s 2025 success. Jay Fletcher, who has been tattooing for more than a decade, was approached by clients Tyler Fowler and William George who are now permanently decorated in support of the treble-winning side.
The 35 year-old expert, who is a Robins fan himself, spent hours creating the works at the Sutton Fields studio where he is based. Kings Town Tattoo Co is only open to private bookings – perfect for such niche requests.
“I do realistic stuff quite a bit but doing stuff involving Hull KR players is not the norm!” joked Jay. “I think the kids must be super fans.”
Jay used a stencil overlaid on his customers’ skin and then referred to a photograph to guide the intricate pieces. One shows halfback Mikey Lewis raising the trophy after The Robins’ 24-6 triumph over Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford – the game that completed the side’s famous treble win.
Another, also belonging to Tyler Fowler, shows captain Elliott Minchella lifting the Challenge Cup Final silverware following his team’s win over Warrington Wolves. Both pieces are realistic reproductions of photographs from the games – a feat that requires more than a steady hand and eye for detail.
Jay, who spent up to seven hours on just one of the pieces, explained: “The Mikey Lewis one wasn’t too bad because he’s pictured from the back. But on the Elliot Minchella one – I was doing a tattoo of someone’s face on an area about the size of a 50p piece. That’s pretty challenging.”
Tyler has now chosen the image of head coach Willie Peters raising the League Leaders’ Shield as the next piece to complete the trilogy. Meanwhile William George is proudly wearing The Robins’ badge on his leg, ahead of a trip Stateside to see them take on Leeds Rhinos in a historic Super League fixture in Las Vegas next month.
The 35 year-old traffic management worker, admits some of the process hurt, but added: “I said before Christmas that I wanted it and then I got it done – I’d recommend Jay to anyone, he’s a really good tattoo artists. I’ve wanted the badge for quite a while, so I’m pleased with it.”