By STEPHEN RAFFERTY
ARTIST EDUARDO PAOLOZZI has netted a
new generation of fans with his iconic designs
inspiring a unique football shirt which is
raising awareness and funds for Leith Athletic.
The football club, established in 1887 and
which has spawned generations of talented
players, has produced a ground breaking and
eye-catching strip which is being snapped up
by local fans and collectors the world over.
The Paolozzi shirt is the brainchild of Leith
Agency designer Scott Dawson and has been
four years in the making after he offered his
services to help promote the popular club at the
heart of the Leith community.
Working with club officials and after
securing the support and approval of The
Paolozzi Foundation, the result is a striking
shirt which is true to the club’s black and white
colours but unlike any contemporary football
strip.
More than 500 have been ordered for a new
production run, including 250 shirts heading
to a French company which will include the
Leith Athletic top as part of a subscriber’s
package sent out worldwide to collectors.
In addition to raising awareness in Leith and
surrounding communities, funds raised will be
used to establish a girls team and a ladies team
to compete in league competition.
Leith Athletic chairman Leighton Jones, said:
“When Scott produced his original designs and
storyboard I just about fell off my seat. The
strip was a standout and I couldn’t believe what
I was seeing.
“Paolozzi attended Leith Academy and we
are all aware of the ‘big foot’ statue at Picardy
Place, so it was a natural and brilliant
connection to make with his local community.
“The initial run of the shirt caused a huge stir,
our social media has exploded, we have gone
from just two girls to 32 at the club and scarves
with the same design sold out within one hour.
We want to create a pathway for young girls to
play football and to establish a ladies team and
funds raised with help us do that.”
Scott Dawson said he approached Leith
Athletic with the proposal because he has
always been interested in the positive effect
football clubs can have within their
community.
He said: “This one just made sense, Paolozzi
is from Leith and his family members are said
to have played for the club in years gone by. It
would have been his 100th birthday this year
so, with the blessing of The Paolozzi
Foundation, we pulled his iconic screenprint
patterns into the Leith Athletic stripes to create
the special edition kit, with all proceeds going
to the women and girls’ teams.
“So far we’ve had orders from places like
England, France, The Netherlands, Australia,
Brazil and America, it’s been huge for the club.
We’re on track to sell way over 500 products
(shirts and scarves) so it’s looking as though
we’ll raise a significant sum for the cause.
“Leith has such a creative history, so it’s great
to see art and football come together like this.
The best thing about the campaign so far is that
it’s raised the profile of the club within the
community and shown how supportive
Leithers are of positive community causes. So
this will hopefully just be the start of something
bigger for the club.”
The son of Italian immigrants from Lazio,
Paolozzi graduated from the Edinburgh School
of Art and forged a hugely successful
international career in a number of mediums,
including graphic art, sculpture, ceramics as well
as holding important European teaching posts.
He is widely considered to be one of thepioneers of pop art. His large scale
commissions include the colossal statue
Newton after Blake at the British Library and
vibrant mosaics at Tottenham Court Road
underground station in London, and
Edinburgh’s Manuscript of Monte Cassino
outside St Mary’s Cathedral, which was gifted
to the city in 1991 by Sir Tom Farmer. Adrian
Barr-Smith, Trustee and Secretary of the
Paolozzi Foundation, said: “The Paolozzi
Foundation is delighted to support the club
with the re-design of their football shirt, which
reflects some of Paolozzi’s imagery.
“The artist was born and raised in Leith,
where his family owned a sweetshop and in
which he worked as a young boy. The
Foundation has also donated a Paolozzi print
for the Leith Athletic clubhouse.”The special edition Leith Athletic Paolozzi shirt
can be ordered up until 8 March through
http://www.hopeandglorysportswear.co.ukThe Paolozzi at 100 exhibition, celebrating the
centenary of his birth on 7 March, is on at the
National Gallery of Scotland’s Modern Two until
Sunday 21 April, free admission.77
By GEORGE MAIRTHE STONE OF DESTINY, one of
Scotland’s best known treasures, will go
on display at Edinburgh Castle for the
last time on 10 March.
Historic Environment Scotland [HES],
which cares for the Stone, advised its
members of their “last chance” to see the
historic symbol of Scottish monarchy in
the capital.
The historic artefact, used for centuries
in coronations, has been on show at
Edinburgh Castle since it was returned to
Scotland in 1996.
It will be moved to its new home at
Perth Museum, where it will be the
centrepiece of the attraction once it
opens to the public on March 30
following the completion of a £27 million
redevelopment project.
The Stone will return to the Fair City
following a 728 year absence after it was
originally taken from its historic home in
Scone by England’s King Edward I in
1296.
Visitors are expected to flock to
Edinburgh Castle to see the Stone before
it is transported to Perth, with HES
advising visitors to book in advance “to
avoid missing out”.
HES told its members: “After more than
25 years on display in Edinburgh Castle’s
Crown Room, from March this year the
Stone of Destiny moves to the new Perth
Museum.
“Your last chance to see the Stone at
Edinburgh Castle will be Sunday 10
March 2024, it will then be displayed in
Perth Museum from Easter weekend.
“We will still care for the Stone of
Destiny, as well as the Honours of
Scotland.
“We have been working on a re-display
of the Honours of Scotland, and from
mid-March the Crown of Scotland,
Sceptre, and Sword of State, which are
amongst the oldest crown jewels in
Europe, will be on display for you to see
alongside the new ceremonial Elizabeth
S w o r d .”Stone of Destiny to
leave Edinburgh Castle
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reporter.co.ukNeil HannaDebra Hurford BrownTeam effort on new
Paolozzi shirtAthletic strip wins over
Leither’s art and minds
Sir Eduardo PaolozziPaolozzi inspired redesign raises awareness and funds for port club