Gareth Southgate Street back as England make final

Rich Leigh and friend Tom Gibbon put the sign back up on Wednesday night in homage to the England manager

As England power their way through to the final of the Euros, Gareth Southgate Street has returned in Gloucester.

The homemade, laminated ‘Gareth’ sign is back on Southgate Street after proving a big hit in 2018 for the World Cup.

Rich Leigh and friend Tom Gibbon decided to put the sign up after watching Ollie Watkins score a late winner against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Mr Leigh, founder of Gloucester company Radioactive PR, said it was “lovely to see” everyone enjoying the sign, which is a homage to the England manager.

“It all started in 2018 when Tom photoshopped something about Gareth Southgate Street and put it on Twitter.

“Because I’m an idiot I thought I’ll get this printed for the World Cup, I cycled past and put it up," Mr Leigh said.

The pair put the sign up near Southgate House ahead of England’s Euros match against Denmark in 2021, with the addition of a second one on the street’s corner with Spa Road.

“For the last couple of Euros when we’ve looked like were doing half decent I’ve put it up,” he continued.

Gareth Southgate Street is back

“I hadn’t even considered doing it again, I remembered I had another one in the office.

“I went to one of the bouncers, with probably one of the weirdest requests they've ever got. I said have you got any zip ties, and he took me to the guy that runs the pizza van.

“I looked at Tom and said we’re doing this again. We snuck away, stuck it up and immediately we took photos as we stood to the side," he added.

The sign, which has become a sensation on social media, was backed in 2018 by Gloucester City Council, with councillors calling it a “patriotic gesture”.

Make people smile

Mr Leigh said it has been really nice to “make people smile”.

“It’s good because everyone’s in a great mood, walking past and taking selfies,” he said.

"Sixty seconds after we did it, we had loads of people walking by, joking and saying 'it's coming home'.

“It’s just nice to make people smile. Life’s not been the easiest and if you can make people a bit happier, that’s great."