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21-February-2014 05:44:16 PM
The Royal Mail issued a set of stamps featuring some of the UK's biggest soccer heroes to mark the 150th anniversary of Football Association rules being established, the 140th anniversary of the Scottish Football Association and celebrating 11 of the greatest football heroes from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.
The Football Heroes first class stamps were illustrated by the artist Andrew Kinsman and show the stars in their home country's strip.
The stamps feature the 11 heroes in their home nation strip :
- John Barnes (England)
- Gordon Banks (England)
- George Best (Northern Ireland)
- John Charles (Wales)
- Bobby Charlton (England)
- Jimmy Greaves (England)
- Kevin Keegan (England)
- Denis Law (Scotland)
- Dave Mackay (Scotland)
- Bobby Moore (England)
- Bryan Robson (England)
The 11 1st Class stamps will feature individual footballers from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, all of whom were supremely gifted, talented players who stood out in their generation and beyond. The stamps have been illustrated by artist Andrew Kinsman, who took existing photography of all the players, then created a composite artwork, so when the 11 stamps are placed together, they form a traditional team shot.
The eleven players selected were chosen for their outstanding record on the pitch and representation of their home countries. All are in the National Football Museum’s Hall of Fame.
In goal was a man many consider to be the greatest ‘keeper to ever play for England, Gordon Banks, with the legendary English World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore, possibly the finest Welsh player of all time John Charles, and Scottish legend, Dave Mackay making up an impressive back three.
English ‘Captain Marvel’, Bryan Robson takes his central midfield berth alongside Bobby Charlton, recognised as one of the greatest English footballers of all time and Kevin Keegan, twice named European Footballer of the Year.
Leading the line in this adventurous formation sees the wide positions occupied by the graceful English winger, John Barnes and the Northern Irish genius, George Best. Both players supply a striking duo of England’s Jimmy Greaves, one of the most instinctively gifted footballers in the history of the game, and Denis Law, the Scottish Football Association’s outstanding player of the previous 50 years.
Alex Horne, FA General Secretary said: “The Royal Mail has done a fantastic job with producing this stunning collection of stamps, and the artwork by Andrew Kinsman is particularly striking. I am sure it will serve as a permanent reminder of The FA’s 150th year and stand as a lasting tribute to the great players featured.”
Andrew Hammond, Managing Director, Stamps and Collectibles at Royal Mail, said: “Across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, we’ve been lucky enough to witness some of the finest footballers to ever play the beautiful game. “The UK has given the world some of the greatest sports and football is rightly celebrated as a national obsession. The stamps celebrate heroes of the beautiful game who excelled on the pitch at club and national level, and are rightly considered icons of the sport. We feel there is no more fitting tribute to the Game’s 150th anniversary than this collection of football heroes on stamps.”
Royal Mail Website
Football Heroes Miniature Sheet
Catalogue code: MZ092
The first 11
Features additional background from the original artwork, enabling you to enjoy the evocative images of Jimmy Greaves, John Charles, Gordon Banks, George Best, John Barnes, Kevin Keegan, Dennis Law, Bobby Moore, Bryan Robson, Dave Mackay and Bobby Charlton as a team.
Jimmy Greaves, England
An instinctively gifted goal scorer, Jimmy Greaves played 57 times for England and scored 44 goals, an impressive international ratio that would guarantee him a place in any footballing hall of fame. Having enjoyed huge success at Chelsea, Greaves spent nine years at Tottenham Hotspur, where he scored 266 goals in 379 matches, before becoming a popular TV pundit.
John Charles, Wales
Judged by many to be the finest Welsh footballer of all time, the tall, strong John Charles was noted for his heading, fine touch and powerful shot. He was dubbed ‘the gentle giant’ during a hugely successful spell with Juventus and in 1997, 35 years after his last appearance in Italy, was voted the best non-italian to have played in Serie A.
Gordon Banks, England
Unquestionably the finest goalkeeper to have played for his country, Gordon Banks was a supremely reliable presence for almost ten years, including the successful 1966 World Cup campaign. A truly astonishing save from Pelé during the 1970 World Cup finals is still considered one of the greatest ever made.
George Best, Northern Ireland
When Bob Bishop, a Manchester United scout, first saw the 15-year-old George Best he told the then United manager Matt Busby: “I think I’ve found you a genius.” A sublimely skilful player who could pass, shoot, tackle, head but above all dribble with the sort of brilliance you only see once in a generation.
John Barnes, England
John Barnes has been described by many of his former Liverpool and England teammates as simply the best footballer they ever played alongside. Playing for England against Brazil in the Maracanã stadium, Barnes dribbled past four defenders and the goalkeeper to score arguably the finest England goal of all time.
Kevin Keegan, England
Kevin Keegan was a vital force in the great Anfield team of the 1970s, in a period when the club won seven major trophies. For a time Keegan transcended football, becoming one of the symbolic figures of the decade before moving to Germany and twice being named European footballer of the year.
Denis Law, Scotland
Denis Law was nicknamed ‘the King’ by supporters during his 13 years at Old Trafford, a tribute to the manner in which the Scottish striker carried himself on the field as much as his phenomenal goal-scoring record. In 2003 the Scottish Football Association rated Law the outstanding Scottish player of the previous 50 years.
Bobby Moore, England
The most composed of defenders, Bobby Moore was a loyal servant at West Ham United for 16 years. Moore attained idol status at the East London Club, while his place in the nation’s affections was cemented for all time when he captained England to World Cup glory in 1966.
Bryan Robson, England
The most complete midfield player of his generation, Bryan Robson’s bravery and commitment sometimes resulted in injury, but his determined example made him a natural leader and captain for both Manchester United and England. In a 2011 poll of former Manchester United stars, he was voted the club’s greatest-ever player.
Dave Mackay, Scotland
Edinburgh-born Dave Mackay was an immensely strong, determined and hard-tackling midfielder. Bill Nicholson said the Scot was his greatest-ever signing while Brian Clough called him the ideal skipper. Mackay himself went on to enjoy success as a manager, guiding Derby county to league championship success in 1974/75.
Bobby Charlton, England
Quite possibly the greatest English footballer of all time, Bobby Charlton played almost all his football for Manchester United and England, setting goal-scoring records for both. Sir Alf Ramsey described him as the lynchpin of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, and he was subsequently voted the best player of that competition.
Design True North
Size of Sheet 192mm x 74.25mm
Stamp format/size Portrait 30mm x 32mm
Printer Cartor Security Printing
Print process Lithography
Perforations 14.5 x 14.5
Phosphor All over
Gum PVA
Acknowledgements
Original artwork by Andrew Kinsman; Thanks to the Football Association, the Irish Football Association, the Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales for their co-operation and assistance.
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