Two new lion statues have been installed inside Wembley Stadium to bring to three the number of the beasts at the venue - finally reflecting the Three Lions on the national team's badge and the symbol of the FA.
Artist Faith Bebbington used waste cardboard, plastic cups and broken plastic seats from the venue in Wembley to create the two new pieces of art, which compliment the existing recycle stainless steel lion made by artist Michael Turner currently guarding the ground.
Ms Bebbington said: “I was delighted to be commissioned by the FA Group to create two lions for Wembley; partly as the stadium is such an iconic site and because I prefer my artwork to be accessible to the majority of people - rather than just art gallery goers.
“In February I was diagnosed with lung cancer (stage 4) so working on this commission has been a challenge at times, but also an excellent distraction from grueling rounds of treatment!
"Thankfully the FA were understanding and flexible about delaying the planned delivery date from spring to late summer.
“I like the challenge of being given a pile of rubbish and transforming into something special.
"The range of waste materials provided by the FA Group from Wembley Stadium were particularly interesting to combine – from old broken red plastic stadium seats, to used plastic Carlsberg beer bottles!
"The FA trusted me to get on with the job and refreshingly, gave me complete creative control!”
Part of the beasts' internal structure is made from willow, used to create the curved shapes, and the rest from reclaimed wood collected by the artist.
The standing lion has cardboard ‘fur’ while the sitting lion has 'fur' made of broken red plastic stadium seats, used plastic beer bottles, wooden knives, straws, cardboard food wrappers and used paper cups.
Fishing line, parcel tape, and hot glue were used to stitch and stick the fur together, and the animal's eyes were made from eco laundry balls.
All the waste was carefully handwashed by the Veolia contract manager for Wembley Stadium before being delivered to Ms Bebbington.
James Huartson, the stadium's sustainability manager, said: “The FA Group Green Team has worked hard to improve our recycling rates and reduce how much waste the Stadium generates.
"We’re now rightly looking at how we can re-use our resources.
"This makes both environmental and commercial sense and helps us move towards a circular economy.
"Faith Bebbington’s lions are a marvelous reminder to staff and visitors about Wembley’s vision for a sustainable future."
Ms Bebbington’s lions, positioned at different locations on the stadium’s second tier Club Wembley level, can be seen as part of the Wembley Stadium tour along with the first lion, which is housed on Level 1 where the Champions League Exhibition used to be.
The stadium may hold a competition later inviting people to name the three beasts.
