Iheanacho v Pogba – Leicester City v Man Utd, October 2021
The Foxes versus the Red Devils at the King Power Stadium on Saturday promised to be a tasty game… although Leicester has had what you could kindly call a ‘mixed’ start to the season.
Saturday saw an apparently new team come out to play the super squad of Manchester Utd – Mostly the same faces but my word – new attitude, new confidence and new purpose! Absolutely wonderful to see and whilst it must be a painful start to the weekend for fans of Manchester Utd – they have some extraordinary players who are just a joy to watch as well.
My first image shows a little tussle at the start between Paul Pogba and Kelechi Iheanacho, who was not standing for any nonsense and took the ball away. Interesting fashion note with Pogba was that he had blue and white dreadlocks – I was surprised!
Great afternoon and such a wonderful game that will live long in the memory of Leicester City fans! Lovely to see them back! 🙂
Media: Original watercolour with pen and ink and pastel Image size: 26cm x 26cm / 10.25in x 10.25in, image only
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The match progressed, with great persistence from both sides, but the commentators kept saying that a goal would come, the pressure was coming from England… all the things that wind me up horribly! Curse of the commentator and all that.
So full time comes and extra time commences, just adding to the torment … I am praying that it doesn’t go to penalties, and then a penalty is awarded!
Kieran Trippier can’t look, which was a surprise, but he wasn’t alone! Leicester City fans know the abilities of the Danish goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel who is very likely to save it.
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: The Penalty, Part 1
Bless him, Kasper gets there, no less than I expected, but on the rebound, Harry blasts it home – Kasper reacts immediately – and is actually there – but the shot is too strong to resist.
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: The Penalty, Part 2
Wembley erupts! The Lions roar!
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: The Lions Roar!
England 2-1 up and with a place in the final on Sunday – today! I can’t believe it!
Immense and outstanding, from both teams, who played their hearts out.
England in the semifinals were a goal down, but how would they respond? The wonderful thing this England team didn’t do, was panic or lose concentration.
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: Saka to Sterling!
Quite the opposite – Bukayo Saka, the nineteen year old, showed the coolest head and when the chance presented itself to him, struck a lovely cross to my England favourite, Raheem Sterling, but sadly for Denmark, captain Simon Kjaer was put under immense pressure and forced the ball into his own net to provide England with a vital equaliser before halftime.
England in the semifinals was an amazing feat, could they go a step further? The next series of posts show that the answer to that was a resounding ‘Yes!’
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: Damsgaard Strike
Denmark opened the scoring with a huge strike from a free kick by Mikkel Damsgaard, an absolute beautiful shot that flew into the goal, putting Denmark ahead in emphatic style.
England in the semifinals was an amazing feat, could they go a step further? The next series of posts show that the answer to that was a resounding ‘Yes!’
Euros 2021 – Semifinal, England v Denmark: Phenomenal Pickford
Back from Rome to Wembley, with great opponents, Denmark had played with huge strength of character following the traumatic start to their campaign. Sixteen minutes in, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford leapt into the air with John Stones to push a great shot on goal away to safety. Playing a vital part of the team’s performance, Pickford was assertive and strong.
Gosh! England were good! A fantastic performance saw four goals against Ukraine in the quarter final match played in Rome.
Both sets of fans were restricted in numbers to the Stadio Olympico due to travel restrictions, but they were all in good voice, and speaking personally, it was great to see a Leicester City flag prominently on display!
Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Foxes in the house!
The first goal came only four minutes in, with a super shot from Captain Harry Kane, sliding to the ground, following a beautiful pass from Sterling…
Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Kane goal No1!
The second came straight after halftime in the 46th minute, with a superb set piece free kick. The most delectable cross from Luke Shaw flew across to the head of his Manchester United teammate, Harry Maguire, who slammed the ball home in great style. There were big hugs of thanks between them.
Euros 2021-Ukraine v England, BigHugs! Maguire and Shaw
I made two pictures to show this, a little panorama dyptich to show the drama!
Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Shaw’s pass to Harry!Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Onto Maguire!
The third was another header, and a second for Harry Kane. The move began with the most audacious flick of the ball from behind by Raheem Sterling, across to Luke Shaw who sent the ball across just as before, beautiful move, different Harry! I need to make the Sterling Shaw part of this goal but haven’t worked it right yet, but I will add later on.
Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Leaping header for Harry!
Finally, header number three, in the 63rd minute, but header No1 for Jordan Henderson who scored his very first goal after 63 caps for England. What a way to seal the win and secure a place in the semifinal against Denmark back in London at Wembley… The England team is coming home… is football?
Euros 2021 – Ukraine v England, Incredible Henderson header!
We are waiting, hoping and praying for more of this…come on England!
Euros 2021 – England v Germany Sterling Strike!Euros 2021 – England v Germany, Grealish PassEuros 2021 – England v Germany, Kane headerEuros 2021 – England v Germany, Kane that header!
There are no words really, but what a fantastic result… and after being brought to tears only a couple of hours earlier with Mark Cavendish and his stage win… I am overwhelmed by the day’s results for England and the Isle of Man
I won’t forget 29th June 2021 in a hurry. Mark wil have a separate post but here are my first images from the match, still on the drawing board!
Sterling strikes! Grealish passes beautifully…Harry heads it!Knee slide to victory!
Some drawings from two matches that both resulted in draws, both of which were unexpected, including the debacle that was England v Scotland… (at least for England fans).
Scotland played with great heart and their fans were so passionate, it was great to see.
Euros 2020 England v Scotland – Flowers of Scotland
England’s best moment was an astounding acrobatic header from John Stones, which sadly hit the post, not the target… ditto a lovely strike from Che Adams, which was wide of the mark.
Euros 2020 England v Scotland – Incredible Height, John StonesEuros 2020 England v Scotland -Adams strike
Next came Hungary v France, a game where Hungary played really well and put the current World Champions to the test. A lovely flying strike from Fiola put Hungary ahead. Griezmann equalized and that’s the way it remained, a great achievement for Hungary, not so great for France…
Euros 2020 Hungary v France – Fiolas Flying StrikeEuros 2020 Hungary v France – Griezmann, Beautifully struck!
It will be interesting to see what happens next with these four… some hearts could be made or broken and maybe not as expected.
Not long to go before the re-match between Scotland and England at Wembley. The first time since 1996! I remember it vividly, England won, with one of the most celebrated goals in recent memory.
The audacious goal by Paul Gascoigne, lit up the tournament and broke the hearts of Scotland fans.. the celebration was just as notable as the goal, Gascoigne throwing himself to the ground to remind everyone that only a few weeks before he (and the team) had been caught out celebrating in an establishment which delivered drinks from a great height, in huge quantities, to the open mouth of the person lying on a Dentist’s Chair… It was a moment England fans relished in spite of themselves! I confess that I was one!
I made this sketch recently and think I might have had a lemonade or two, as I had completely forgotten about drawing it! Not my best drawing but I love the Dentist’s Chair… many happy memories of a magic time for England and my own life too. It’s a long time ago but feels very close.
Good luck tonight, wishing everyone a wonderful time, safe and sound… and don’t be too silly with the pop!
Turkey v Wales last night was an extraordinary match – from the volatile and sometimes hostile atmosphere, a bizarre penalty miss for Gareth Bale, to some phenomenal defending and two goals, which included one of the most breathtaking passes a fan could see – Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey seem to be joined by some magical cord so that that the ball arcs across from the foot of one to the chest of the other – it was a joy to watch! The win was secured by a second super goal from Connor Roberts and left 30,000 Turkey fans stunned into silence. Wales have booked their place!
I am working on more drawings from the highlights which I will add later but here is the start of the lovely pass from Bale to Ramsey to begin with… what a match!
Euros 2020 – Turkey v Wales – Gareth Bale – It’s a fantastic ball!
What a great start for England? Wonderful performance against a strong Croatia – with a super flying goal from Raheem Sterling, MBE – so delighted for him, as he justified his selection in style. Other highlights were a super shot on goal from Phil Foden, only five minutes in, which ricocheted off the post – and a super-determined, creative performance by Kalvin Phillips who set up the goal for Sterling beautifully – The final, arguably the most precious highlight though, was that there was a crowd to watch and cheer on – Joy unbridled! Here are my first impressions from the match – looking forward to Scotland this afternoon…
Well, as an England fan, I certainly hope it is! The tournament certainly is – along with 10 other host cities, matches will be played at Wembley – and there will be fans in the seats! Wonderful news after all this time. I can’t wait to follow the action with my pens and paints – it will be so exciting. Three home nations is fantastic – I also love to watch France, Spain, Netherlands and Belgium – it’s going to be a busy few weeks and my drawings and paintings will, no doubt, be frantic and emotional, like these from 2016… Magic!
Goal of the tournament? Payet, France,
A sea of red – Bale for Wales
One nil to France!
Romania equalise!
Celebrating goal No.1 – Giroud, France v Romania
After the ball, England vs Russia
These are not from the Euro 2016, but some great players who will be there… so many new ones to try as well, I can’t wait…So excited!!!
What a match, what a goal, what a save, (or two!) what an offside, what a day… Incredible! These are the first images – more to follow certainly. First, a letter to my dear uncle, in Australia, now approaching his 93rd birthday in June and a lifelong fan of the Foxes – This is special indeed! Thanks Lads you are terrific!
YouriKasper at full stretch!What an absolute strike! Youri Tielemens – SOLDThat’s heroic from the Leicester City Captain! SOLD Winners! – SOLD
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When it comes to being a fan of football, I am a bit of a romantic fool; either getting my hopes up for England to win a major tournament or for my own team, Leicester City to do well in the FA Cup.
Two silver Foxes!
Reaching a final, let alone winning, for both teams, seem like a lifetime ago. England reached the final (and won) the World Cup in 1966, while three years later in 1969, the Foxes reached the final of the FA Cup, which they lost by one goal to Manchester City. Heartbreak!
Goodness knows that both England and Leicester have broken mine and many more hearts a hundred times over in the years that followed…Ecstasy followed by Agony for one or other of them, and like all the other broken-hearted fans, I keep coming back for more, because there’s nothing quite as thrilling as your football team, local or national, doing well in a big tournament.
It’s the unique experience that all sport gives. It brings us together, excites us and enriches us. The lows are low but the highs are the best and both live long in our collective memories.
When the event and performance are very special, it engages everyone, including people who don’t regard themselves as sports fans, the excitement draws people together in a lovely way.
Southampton fan, so proud of the badge
I watched the FA Cup semi final between Leicester and Southampton on Sunday afternoon with the customary trepidation. I was amazed and delighted by the result. But also, I was even more delighted to see an audience at Wembley, albeit small, the fans were back.
Real people, real voices and a real presence to witness this game. I made as many sketches of them as the action, it was so great to see.
Study sheet of fans in the crowd
So here we go again, Foxes fans daring to dream once more. It’s not the repeat of 1969 as we thought it might be, because Chelsea beat Manchester City in their semi final.
Chelsea are the polar opposite of Leicester City, having enjoyed great success in the FA Cup over the years, but maybe it’s the Foxes time? We know this team is full of surprises, its recent history is legendary. 2016 all over again?
I hope you enjoy my somewhat frazzled drawings and paintings! I wanted to post fairly quickly while the excitement is still fresh in mind.
Meanwhile, I can’t wait until 15th May.. will it be Agony or Ecstasy? I hope Gary Lineker has got his best pair of underpants ready if they win!
I am now in the process of making some more images based on the TV recordings and will post them individually with details for purchase.You can email for details or sign up to my newsletter for information 💙
Leicester City are playing some great football just now – which is lovely to see as a lifelong fan – Wilfred Ndidi is a phenomenal asset to this team – just a joy to watch him play. He scored an absolute wonder goal against Chelsea – this view just before he took it but I love the juxtaposition of his blue shirt against the orange of the goalkeeper’s kit – I feel that there will be more pictures to come – this was great to make and a little bit larger than usual, which was nice. Welcome to 2021!
Premier League football came out of Lockdown to strangely silent stadia, fans on Zoom, commentary with or without crowd sounds… all very odd, and yet somethings never change. Leicester City take their fans (including me) on a rollercoaster ride whenever they set foot on the pitch.We never know how it will go and they delight and confound by turn.
Chilwell superstrike
Even though they drive me mad, I love them and when they shine, they shine bright. Here is an image from the first match back after lockdown against Watford.
Ben Chilwell scored a beauty in the 90th minute – only for an equally spectacular scissor kick from Watford’s Craig Dawson three minutes later… You can’t make it up really!
Hello! I know that I should be posting pictures from the first day of this year’s Tour de France… But this was incredible and I just had to post this first – a very quick picture of Harry Maguire’s superb header in yesterday’s match against Sweden.
England now have a place in the semi-finals of a World Cup – A-ma-zing!!! Have a lovely Sunday 🙂
Hello! Following a football World Cup is a rollercoaster ride for all fans! I find that I have a mixture of anticipation, anxiety, excitement, gloom and despair as a tournament goes on. This could well be the fact that I support England and, as all England fans will tell you, it’s never an easy watch!
However, so far, there has been more than a glimmer of hope – plenty of things to lift an English heart – There have been goals and plenty of them, proper passing and a formation that works! Good leadership from the manager and a captain who is a real star, leading his team as a captain should, by great example.
Harry Kane set about taking the net apart!
This picture shows his penalty taken against Panama – in the first game these teams have ever played against each other.
The BBC commentator, Guy Mowbray, came out with a lovely description of the penalty, ‘That was emphatic! Harry Kane set about taking the net apart!’ Long may he continue to do that!!!
Bonjour! The European Football Championships began in Paris on Friday amid great excitement, anxiety and tension. The opening match between France and Romania saw possibly the goal of the tournament from Dimitri Payet to secure victory for France – a fantastic start. Joy too for Wales with the grace and power of Gareth Bale’s free kick earning victory placing them at top of their group. England began their campaign as always… sparks of brilliance but falling short at the last… Here we go again everyone, fasten your seatbelts and get your tissues ready, there will be tears! Meanwhile, here are a few impressions, have a wonderful weekend:
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One nil to France!
Celebrating goal No.1 – Giroud, France v Romania (£150 Framed)
A sea of red – Bale for Wales, (£150 Framed)
Romania equalise!
After the ball, England vs Russia, watercolour, pen and ink (£200 Framed)
Goal of the tournament? Payet, France, (£150 Framed)
Hello! The 2016 English Football season finished yesterday and for the fans of Leicester City, the Foxes, it was the last day of an astonishing year’s play. It feels as though the whole world knows the tale now but for citizens of Leicester and especially the team’s fans, we don’t tire of it! The team was facing relegation from the Premier League and from the bottom of the table, began to win matches. They managed to stay up. The start of the 2015-16 season saw them win and win and win and keep on winning until they secured the title of Premier League Champions for the first time in their 132 year history. (I’m astounded to think that Picasso was 3 years old when Leicester City Football Club began!) I haven’t been a fan quite as long as that but let’s say this… my uncle gave me my first football scarf – a little blue and white one – when I was 6 years old and I still have it many years later. My uncle is nearing his 88th birthday and is thrilled to bits by the team’s achievement as is the whole family and the City of Leicester. Tonight there will be the BIGGEST party in the city and the atmosphere is fantastic! Here are my first impressions of this phenomenal team and their wonderful fans -Definitely more to come!
Hello! Back to sporting action – a first for me as I’ve never drawn football before, ironically as it’s the first sport I followed as a child. The World Cup is on in Brazil and of course, the expectations are high for the host team. The massive Fortaleza stadium was ablaze with colour and could barely contain the sound of the passion of the Brazilian National Anthem. It was a hard-fought and fast game but ended in a draw – fairly in my view, as both teams were brilliant! Here are my drawings:
