An online project to identify the cultural icons of England has seen The FA Cup nominated alongside Stonehenge, A Cup of Tea and the Double Decker bus.
“The nomination is a great tribute to what is undoubtedly the world’s greatest club Cup competition,” The FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick has said.
“And it couldn’t have come at a more appropriate moment, given that this season The FA Cup is being played for the 125th time.
“The FA Cup has a unique place in English sporting culture and a magic all of its own. It has consistently generated some of the great stories and moments in sport and we are delighted that it has been recognised in this way.”
The project has been commissioned by Culture Online, part of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Culture Minister, David Lammy will attend the launch at the Globe Theatre.
The other eleven nominations are: Stonehenge, Punch and Judy, the S.S. Empire Windrush, Holbein’s portrait of Henry VIII, the Routemaster double decker bus, Alice in Wonderland, the Spitfire, the King James Bible, the Angel of the North, A Cup of Tea and Jerusalem.
The project will identify what makes England what it is. Hundreds more nominations from the public are expected and ‘waves’ of new “Icons of England” will be announced each quarter, as the online collection grows bigger and richer in content.
Other ‘iconic’ sports-related nominations for future ‘icons of England’ to be received so far, include: Wembley Stadium, the Grand National, cricket and the Ashes.
“No-one can fail to respond to some of the icons that feature in this project, whether it’s Stonehenge, the London Eye or the great English cuppa,” said David Lammy MP.
“Who hasn’t ached for a proper cup of tea when they’ve been on an overseas holiday or yearned for their team to pick up the FA Cup at the end of the season?"
People are being invited all over England, from every community, to nominate their favourite icons.
For further information visit
www.icons.org.uk 