Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Derby County fan shows incredible devotion with 18-hour tattoo

Tribalism is one of the core fundamentals of the sport we all love, and without it, football loses much of the fandom that has propelled it to worldwide popularity.

But this Derby County fan has arguably demonstrated his unwavering love for the club in a way we have never seen before.

Fan spends 18 hours getting Derby County tattoo

Derby County gets Pride Park tattooed on back
The incredible tattoo took an astonishing 18 hours to complete. Photo by Icon Sport

Incredible devotion

In an act that can be described as nothing other than a demonstration of undying love for his club, Rams fan Lee Bray devoted a total of 18 hours of his life towards a tattoo that incorporated his son into a depiction of Pride Park – Derby County's current stadium.

Speaking on the experience, Bray said: “I posted it on some social media pages and Derby groups and a few people have said they are not really into tattoos, but they think it's amazing.”

Although, he was also keen to highlight just how painful the ordeal was, explaining that: “There were some areas that were horrific.

“It's like a really, really sharp scratching pain and continuous, and it was three-day sessions which were six hours each, so 18 hours all in.”

Could it become a trend?

Well, Jack Shutt, the tattoo artist who was behind the masterpiece, certainly seems to think so, saying: “Since I posted it [on social media] I've had quite a few different enquiries from people wanting grounds on their back, and three of them are booked in.

“I didn't expect it to be as popular as it was, to be honest.”

So, if you are one of the many people who have been inspired by Mr Bray and are interested in getting your club's stadium on your back, it may be wise to act sooner rather than later.

A long-standing tradition

Football grounds on backs may be a relatively new trend, but football tattoos as a concept are an incredibly long-standing tradition within the sport. From club badges to famous trophies and even to tattoos of individual players themselves – the variation is almost endless.

Some of them are better than others of course, and we all know someone who unfortunately falls into the wrong category in that regard.

Avatar of Harry Dowsett

Harry Dowsett

Freelance football writer with experience writing for multiple digital platforms, such as GIVEMESPORT. Recently graduated from Portsmouth University with a media studies degree - completing a dissertation on the evolution of sports journalism in the process. He has a love for Arsenal Football Club and a passion for football as a whole.

Articles: 248