George Graham
Instagram: @grgidsgn
What is your story of fascination with football?
Growing up with a Sir Bobby Robson lead Newcastle team and regular Champions League football I was cult like obsessed with our squad, everything was so positive around football at that team and you had genuine heroes to look up to and aspire to, even visiting the drowning statue of St James' it hooked me from day one and still does to this day!
Do you create football art professionally or is it a hobby?
I create football art professionally for Classic Football Shirts, art has always been a passion for me but I never really found a medium that I could be consistent with and when I did, I went all in & luckily I’m pretty versatile in what I do which has helped me lead to a full time job in football.
What football event or story has made an unforgettable impression on you?
The Ronaldinho goal against Chelsea away in the Champions League, yes that one. I remember him generally leaving a lasting impression on me as he’s one of my favourite ever footballers but that goal just stuck with me even to this day.
Do you attend the stadium, and if so, which team’s matches do you try to get to?
Typically a Newcastle away end but deciding to boycott under the Ashley era has now lead me to not being able to source tickets so well, as well as living so far away. The local club to me is Colchester United who I regularly watch and go to the odd away game, a great club who has admittedly been on a steady decline over the last 10-15 years but still offers a decent stadium and fairly decent level of football!
What are your interests besides football and art?
Wrestling, Music, Tattoos & Fashion. I think I generally have a pretty mixed personality as some things contradict each other stereotypically but Wrestling specifically I have been obsessed with it as long as I have football.
Could you highlight a few of your works that make you especially proud and explain why?
Joelinton — Purely because it involves a mix of stadia, patterns and 4 different illustrations of the man himself.
Trezeguet / Fiorentina / Milla — Created for These Football Times — generally proud of the majority of work I’ve done for them, producing something for someone that’d be produced in physical form is always something to be proud of.
Crawley town — First home game back programme cover — being such a landmark game, once again being physical work is something I love! As well as being the back end of the first Covid lockdowns was a nice nod to returning to football grounds.
Who are your favourite football artists?
Sure there's more but this is what comes to mind.
Share a funny story that happened to you personally or that you witnessed (not necessarily related to football).
I was once a mascot for a Newcastle game when I was young, I walked out with a young faced blonde locked Craig Bellamy, with the Captains traditional walk down the line in a testimonial to shake hands, Alan Shearer shook hands with mostly everyone but me comically jaw dropping missed my opportunity purely because your hero is standing in front of you and don’t know how to react to it at the age. You never know, maybe the day will come for me to redeem myself!