'Football, We Love You' - an animation by Art of Football

Football is the language of love - and if you are like us (Art of Football) you are fluent in it. You are devoted to your badge, your colours and your match-day rituals. That unconditional loyalty is rooted deep within you, it’s integral to the game; but it isn’t the reason you fell hopelessly, often obsessively in love with Football. It’s the the players, your childhood heroes, and the moments of magic that you never forget.

We started Art of Football 4 years ago with the intention of paying homage to those special moments. We wanted to create artwork that gives you a lasting reminder of why you fell for the game. This film is our love letter to football.

Our love story with football has been a lifetime in the making - And this animation has felt like a lifetime in the making. We set out on this project in September 2016 with the intention of releasing it in December 2017. Two Christmases, three breakdowns, and 1600 hand drawings later and we are proud (relieved) to present to you our first short-film: ‘Football, We Love You’

The animation is completely done by hand. It was created by 23 Year-olds Gabe Cuthbert (Founder of Art of Football) and close friend Matt Williams (Subject Studio). The idea was to squeeze as many of our favourite moments and players into an end-to-end, high-drama sequence of play. It’s a magnified look at all football has to offer, the ebbing flow from highs to lows; expecting the unexpected; and the eternal hope that this match is the match you have your DEENEEEEEEEEEY moment.

We would like to thank Martin Tyler helping us with the commentary for the animation. His eloquence in the language of football helps bring the whole thing to life, and his kind words and clear love for the game is something that we won’t soon forget.