Peter Saville (left) with his original Factory partners in the Seventies
The man behind the iconic artwork designs which played such a pivotal role in the story of Manchester’s legendary independent label Factory Records has lent his considerable talents to the latest official England football shirt to roll off the production line.
Peter Saville, who began his association with Factory after designing a poster to advertise their first club night back in the Seventies, has told of how he wanted the new design to reflect modern England. “Both the nation and the fans themselves are more diverse than ever before – whether that’s differences in politics, religion, ethnicity, fashions, music and art,” he said.
“The landscape of England has shifted dramatically over the past couple of decades and we are now one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. Football is a language that everyone can relate to and the new England home kit provided the perfect canvas to reflect what England looks like today. The reality of modern England is expressed in this pattern as it reclaims the St George’s cross to positively represent our contemporary society.”
The shirt will be worn by the England team for the first time at Wembley tomorrow night (3/9) for their opening match in the 2012 European Championships Qualifying campaign.