Gareth Southgate's waistcoat gets the meme treatment as fans photoshop 'it's coming home' onto it in tiny letters

Gareth Southgate's trademark look has sparked a 35 per cent rise in waistcoat sales at Marks and Spencer
REUTERS
Tom Powell5 July 2018

England fans have been sharing amusing pictures of Gareth Southgate’s waistcoat with "it’s coming home" photoshopped onto it in tiny letters.

It is one of a horde of ‘football’s coming home’ memes to have emerged online after England knocked Colombia out of the World Cup on penalties to progress to the quarter finals.

The hoax photo appears to show a close-up of Southgate’s navy blue waistcoat, with the words of the legendary Lightning Seeds’ song forming barely visible pinstripes.

Southgate’s waistcoat, which he has worn for every match so far, has sparked a 35 per cent rise in sales of the garment at Marks & Spencer.

He has been labelled one of the most stylish managers at the World Cup as fans rush out to emulate his trademark look by purchasing the £65 waistcoat.

Three Lions supporters have also developed a new chant for the boss, sung to the tune of Atomic Kitten’s 90s hit Whole Again .

Gareth Southgate was emotional, having personally missed in a penalty shootout in Euro 96
EPA

“Southgate you’re the one, you still turn me on. Football’s coming home again,” could be heard ringing out at pubs and on high streets on Tuesday night.

The 'it's coming home' waistcoat was created as a stunt by Huawei to advertise their P20 Pro's zoom feature. The firm is now asking M&S to make the waistcoat for real.

A Huawei spokesman said: “In the build up to England v Colombia, Huawei UK photoshopped the image for fun but it’s really taken off and captured the hearts of England fans.

"If England make the final, our dream is to see Gareth walk out the tunnel wearing that waistcoat in its full glory.

"The only brand we could ask to make this a reality is Marks and Spencer so we are asking them to get on board and help to bring it home.”

Southgate was promoted to England manager from the under 21s in 2016 after Sam Allardyce was sacked after just one game in charge.

Following England’s victory over Colombia, Southgate told the BBC: “Today was a special night for every Englishman..

"The fans that were here were outnumbered but I'm delighted for them and everyone at home.

England fans go wild after victory over Colombia - In pictures

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"We're trying to write our own history, and I've talked to the players about that. They write their own stories. We don't have to be bowed by the pressure of the past.

"This was special but I want us to go on. I don't want to go home yet."

England now have three days to prepare for a quarter final clash with Sweden on Saturday, while the nation gets swept up in World Cup fever.

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