A new 10-metre high piece of public
artwork celebrating the love Manchester has for football has been
unveiled on the edge of the city’s Northern Quarter.
Over the last few weeks, Manchester football brand Umbro has been
asking Mancunians “What does football mean to you?”. Umbro received
hundreds of responses and chose the 11 best to feature on this huge
piece of art commissioned to celebrate the brand’s 95th anniversary.
Some of the members of the public whose words are up on the wall
attended today’s unveiling to see the mural for the very first time.
Rachel Herdson (43), a Manchester City fan from Altrincham, tweeted:
“Football determined my choice of husband’. She met her husband at a
City match twenty years ago this year. City won 6-0 against Sheffield
so she thought he was a lucky omen and married him.
Don Grant, 60, a Manchester City fan living in Old Trafford, tweeted:
“It’s not just for Christmas”. As a MCFC fan of 50 years, he’s
experienced the highs and lows of football and been loyal to the Blues
throughout.
Leon Mike (37) is a Manchester United fan from Chorlton. He’s also an
ex-professional footballer with Manchester City. Leon tweeted:
“Watching the impossible become a reality” in reference to Manchester
United’s treble in 1999.
On seeing the mural unveiled, Rachel commented: “It’s fantastic – so
colourful. I’m really chuffed and proud to be part of Umbro’s 95th
birthday celebrations.”
Umbro Head of Global Brand Marketing, Helene Hope, said: “Umbro was
founded in Manchester back in 1924 and is still based here today so
it’s only fitting that we kicked-off our 95th birthday celebration
right here in our hometown. Football is nothing without the fans and
this piece of street art, created by fans, reflects the passion
Mancunians and Umbro have for the game. I think every football fan in
this city that comes to look at the wall will recognise the love for
football on display.”
The next event to celebrate Umbro’s 95th birthday is a pop-up
exhibition of retro football shirts in conjunction with
Manchester-based Classic Football Shirts and football magazine,
Mundial. It will open in Manchester on April 8th and run until April
14th at 23a Princess Street, M2 4EN.
