Moyes mural pub set on fire by arsonists

David Moyes 'Manager of the Decade' mural set alight by masked arsonists during pub attack

Gang of men raced into Liverpool pub on Friday night and poured flammable liquid onto the floor before setting it alight as staff serving locals

Gutted: Owner Taff Hughes surveys the damage


Masked men set alight a signed mural of sacked Manchester United boss David Moyes during an arson attack in a packed pub.

The gang of men raced into Taff’s Tavern in Old Swan, Liverpool, on Friday night and poured flammable liquid on the floor of the bar area as locals supped their ale.

With staff still serving, the men then lit the liquid - sending it into a ball of flames before turning around and running out of the bar at around 10.30pm.

Terrified customers and workers fled the blaze and while everyone managed to get out safely, one long term tenant was not so lucky – a signed mural of former Everton boss David Moyes.

The mural, which proclaimed the Scot 'manager of the decade', was well known among football fans and became an internet meme with its slogan “10 years at Everton for boss who proves you don't need trophies to be a winner but he is a winner”.

Damaged: The David Moyes mural at Taff's Tavern in Old Swan 

Taff Hughes, 79, who has run the pub for nearly 25 years, told the Liverpool Echo: "David Moyes hasn't survived, I'm afraid he's down but somebody said they could restore him. I might get another one done.

"The damage is pretty bad. We're just drinking the last of the product now.

"Downstairs is covered in black soot but upstairs is just smoke damage. I think structurally it's not too bad. We've had an electrician in already.

"A lot of the customers are saying 'where are we going to drink now?' We're hoping to re-open as soon as possible."

A man suffering from burns, who is suspected to be one of the gang, was found a short distance away by paramedics and is in a stable condition in hospital.

Police are now searching for the offenders, who they think may have escaped in a dark-coloured car.