Illustrator Alex Bennett, 32, has been into football for as long as he can remember so drawing a packed football terrace was an obvious choice of subjects
But it is the detail, scale and accuracy of his clever Where’s Wally style Football Mishmash illustration that makes it so amazing. And Chorleywood is even represented in the crowd! Alex tells us about his work of art which has recently been given well deserved wall space at Watford Football Club Family Stand
“>Can you sum up the work?
‘Football Mishmash’ is a massive hand-drawn illustration created from over 450 famous and infamous incidents from the history of football and featuring approximately 3000 individual characters and everything from Geoff Hurst’s goal in the 1966 World Cup Final to Rene Higuita’s incredible Scorpion Kick for Colombia; the tragedy of the Hillsborough Disaster, to Zinedine Zidane’s notorious headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final; Sylvester Stallone’s penalty save in the movie Escape to Victory, to a timeline of David Beckham, and perhaps more importantly, his haircuts!
What inspired you to start the project?
I was a huge fan of the Where’s Wally books. I realised that there hadn’t been a football crowd scene and decided Football Mishmash could document the history of the game as well being fun to look at!
How did you do it?
I started in April last year and spent countless hours researching and sketching historic incidents on You Tube, ensuring football kits and clothing were accurate and asking friends what incidents they could recall. All characters and incidents have been individually drawn. Once inked, I would scan and colour the drawing in Photoshop then drag the illustration into the main image.
How did you decide what and who to include?
Those that made it in were based on the famous and instantly recognisable. As the illustration developed, I included some ‘wildcard’ incidents like the monkey riding a unicycle that relates to Bristol City chimps tea party at half-time in their fixture with West Ham back in 1976 . I didn’t have good enough photos to draw everything such as British troops playing with the Germans during the Christmas Day truce in 1914 so used artistic licence.
What was the biggest challenge?
The composition and making everything clearly visible. The latter stages of were like putting together an 8000 piece jigsaw!
How long does each character take to get onto the final image?
Some characters would take an hour while more complex things like the Shankly Gates at Anfield took a couple of evenings
Why the Chorleywood link?
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I went to Russell School and have fond memories of playing for Chorleywood Common Football Club from 6yrs -18yrs. My dad Malcolm was Chairman for over 10 years and my mum, Aline taught at Stag Lane. I have even included a fan with the ‘famous’ Chorleywood black & white hoops on! (see photo)
What’s next?
I am in early discussions with a Dutch company to make it into a jigsaw, floor mats and someone mentioned wallpaper for toilet cubicles! I have recently started ‘Wrestling Mishmash. I also take commissions.
What do you do in your spare time?
Apart from football, I enjoy spending time with my family – my wife Simone and baby Jack, I wanted to call him ‘Gianfranco Zola Bennett’ but the Mrs vetoed that one!
Football Mishmash – ‘The History of Soccer in One Image’ www.footballmishmash.com
Large signed prints (120cm wide x 88cm) £25.95 inc p&p. £5 discount to CW Mag readers available from website. Mention ‘Chorleywood Magazine’ at checkout.