Euros 2024: London’s ‘most patriotic estate’ lives up to its reputation with Eze mural
A South London estate which has been dubbed “England’s most patriotic estate” is living up to its reputation with a giant mural of England’s players as the Euros kicks off.
The Kirby Estate in Southwark Park Road, Bermondsey, unveiled a huge image of 25-year-old midfielder Eberechi Eze on Thursday. The new mural stands alongside a previous tribute to England forward, and estate namesake, Fran Kirby.
The central courtyard has also been adorned with bunting and about 700 England flags.
The artwork was created by street artists MurWalls, who are behind portraits of Raheem Sterling and Gareth Southgate in the past.
On Friday, the estate got a surprise visit from Eze’s family and friends.
Taking to X, The Kirby Estate posted: “A day after we unveiled our new mural to the England soon to be superstar Ebere Eze (no pressure!) a visit from his family and friends who are over the moon and so grateful this has happened to him!
“It was a special afternoon.”
Eze was picked because he grew up in nearby Greenwich, starting his career at Millwall and playing as a teenager for London clubs QPR, Fulham and Arsenal before eventually joining Crystal Palace.
Responding to the mural, in a video posted by England on X, Eze said: “This is insane. Your pictures on a wall somewhere, someone’s painted you and it’s in the ends as well so that’s huge.
“I feel like I’m representing the whole of South.
“In South London that’s what they do, they’re always trying to celebrate someone. My boys live there as well, so my group chat was going off.
“It’s a big blessing.”
Four Crystal Palace players are in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, whose Euro 2024 campaign started with a 1-0 victory against Serbia at the Arena Auf Schalke in Gelsenkirchen last night.
After the game Southgate hailed Marc Guehi’s performance in his first start at a major international tournament for the Three Lions.
The Lewisham-raised 23-year-old completed 96 per cent of his passes, won 100 per cent of his tackles and made two clearances.
Dean Henderson and Adam Wharton were also called up, making Palace the most represented team in England’s 26-man squad.
England will take on Denmark on Thursday, in Frankfurt, before rounding off their group on June 25, in Cologne, against Slovenia.
The Kirby estate first rose to fame during the World Cup in 2018, after a video of its 300 England flags – which has now racked up more than 6.million views – went viral on social media.
Residents had started putting up flags in 2012 and the tradition grew each year.
Pictured top: A mural of England’s Eberechi Eze at the Kirby Estate, Bermondsey (Picture: PA)