Elephants, Pelé and protests: the Premier League at 30 – in pictures

We’ve had a rummage through the archives to bring you some of the off-beat sights that have graced the English top flight over the past three decades

Main image: Giant inflatable sumo wrestlers fight during the pre-match entertainment at Elland Road ahead of Leeds United’s goal-less draw with Manchester United in February 1993. Photograph: Albert Cooper/Mirrorpix

  • Manchester City’s Niall Quinn ironing his new shirt in the laundry room at Maine Road, before the inaugural Premier League season.
    Manchester City’s Niall Quinn ironing his new shirt in the laundry room at Maine Road, before the inaugural Premier League season.

  • The Michael Jackson statue overlooking the Fulham crowd at Craven Cottage, as Fulham take on Liverpool in May 2011. It was was erected the previous month at the request of owner and chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed, who was a friend of Jackson – the singer paid a visit to Craven Cottage in 1999. The statue was removed in September 2013 following the sale of the club to Shahid Khan, and in May 2014, Al-Fayed claimed Fulham would not have been relegated from the Premier League if Khan had retained it.
    The Michael Jackson statue overlooking the Fulham crowd at Craven Cottage, as Fulham take on Liverpool in May 2011. It was was erected the previous month at the request of owner and chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed, who was a friend of Jackson – the singer paid a visit to Craven Cottage in 1999. The statue was removed in September 2013 following the sale of the club to Shahid Khan, and in May 2014, Al-Fayed claimed Fulham would not have been relegated from the Premier League if Khan had retained it.

  • A disgruntled Swansea City mascot looks on as the players huddle without him, just before kicking-off against Arsenal in September 2011.
    A disgruntled Swansea City mascot looks on as the players huddle without him, just before kicking-off against Arsenal in September 2011.

  • The Nottingham Forest team pass an elephant as they take to the pitch at Selhurst Park before their match against Wimbledon in May 1995. The elephant’s appearance was a prank organised by Wimbledon chairman Sam Hammam.
    The Nottingham Forest team pass an elephant as they take to the pitch at Selhurst Park before their match against Wimbledon in May 1995. The elephant’s appearance was a prank organised by Wimbledon chairman Sam Hammam.

  • During the coronavirus pandemic, the government’s social distancing laws resulted in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. So supporters such a Everton fan Speedo Mick, seen here watching the Merseyside derby in June 2020, were restricted to watching matches on TV at home.
    During the coronavirus pandemic, the government’s social distancing laws resulted in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. So supporters such a Everton fan Speedo Mick, seen here watching the Merseyside derby in June 2020, were restricted to watching matches on TV at home.

  • A fan wearing a mask in the stands as Sheffield United take on Norwich City at Bramall Lane in March 2020.
    A fan wearing a mask in the stands as Sheffield United take on Norwich City at Bramall Lane in March 2020.

  • Villa fans taunt their Geordie rivals after Newcastle’s defeat meant relegation from the Premier League in May 2009.
    Villa fans taunt their Geordie rivals after their defeat meant relegation from the Premier League in May 2009

  • T-shirts celebrating José Mourinho’s famous tactic of parking the bus – on sale during the parade to celebrate Chelsea’s 2014-15 Premier League triumph.
    T-shirts celebrating José Mourinho’s famous tactic of parking the bus – on sale during the parade to celebrate Chelsea’s 2014-15 Premier League triumph.

  • Nick Barmby, Jamie Redknapp, Dalian Atkinson, Ray Parlour, Chris Waddle, Paul Ince and Gary Speed pose in a hot tub while filming a television advert for Sky Sports ahead of the 1993-94 Premier League Season.
    Nick Barmby, Jamie Redknapp, Dalian Atkinson, Ray Parlour, Chris Waddle, Paul Ince and Gary Speed pose in a hot tub while filming a television advert for Sky Sports ahead of the 1993-94 Premier League Season.

  • Fans watch West Ham’s last-ever game at Upton Park – a Premier League game against Manchester United in May 2016 – from a nearby block of flats. After a stay of 112 years, the Hammers moved to London’s Olympic Stadium.
    Fans watch West Ham’s last-ever game at Upton Park – a Premier League game against Manchester United in May 2016 – from a nearby block of flats. After a stay of 112 years, the Hammers moved to London’s Olympic Stadium.

  • April 1994: Liverpool fans queue up to stand on Anfield’s Kop for the last time, prior to a game against Norwich City.
    April 1994: Liverpool fans queue up to stand on Anfield’s Kop for the last time, prior to a game against Norwich City.

  • Manchester City fans seen on a giant screen as they watch a home game against Arsenal on their computers, during the coronavirus pandemic in June 2020.
    Manchester City fans seen on a giant screen as they watch a home game against Arsenal on their computers, during the coronavirus pandemic in June 2020.

  • Partice Evra risks a blast of the famous Alex Ferguson hairdryer as he celebrates with his boss after Manchester United won the 2007-08 Premier League. Ferguson is the competition’s most successful manager, winning his 13th title in his final season in charge.
    Partice Evra celebrates with Alex Ferguson after Manchester United won the 2007-08 Premier League. Ferguson is the competition’s most successful manager, winning his 13th title in his final season in charge.

  • The head of the Everton mascot, Chang the Elephant, is seen before the home match against Chelsea in September 2015.
    The head of the Everton mascot, Chang the Elephant, is seen before the home match against Chelsea in September 2015.

  • Pelé watches from the Stamford-Bridge stands as Chelsea take on Charlton Athletic in January 2006.
    Pelé watches from the Stamford-Bridge stands as Chelsea take on Charlton Athletic in January 2006.

  • The inaugural Premier League season coincided with the end of an era at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough hanging up his green top and retiring from management. He is seen here emerging from the tunnel prior to his last home game.
    The inaugural Premier League season coincided with the end of an era at Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough hanging up his green top and retiring from management. He is seen here emerging from the tunnel prior to his last home game.

  • Some of the 3,039 fans who were at Selhurst Park in January 1993 for Wimbledon’s match against Everton – the lowest attendance in the competition’s history.
    Some of the 3,039 fans who were at Selhurst Park in January 1993 for Wimbledon’s match against Everton – the lowest attendance in the competition’s history.

  • Liverpool manager Graeme Souness sniffs smelling salts during an away game against Swindon Town in August 1993.
    Liverpool manager Graeme Souness sniffs smelling salts during an away game against Swindon Town in August 1993.

  • Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala, Willy Caballero, Jesús Navas, Bacary Sagna, Joe Hart– and club legend and ambassador Mike Summerbee – get into the Christmas spirit in 2015.
    Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala, Willy Caballero, Jesús Navas, Bacary Sagna, Joe Hart– and club legend and ambassador Mike Summerbee – get into the Christmas spirit in 2015.

  • Masks of former Southampton player Francis Benali adorn seats prior to the home game with Burnley in October 2016. That month, Benali completed an ultra-challenge, running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums in two weeks. Each day, he ran a marathon and cycled 75 miles, in the process raising over £350,000 for Cancer Research UK. Later that year he was awarded the freedom of the city of Southampton in honour of his remarkable work.
    Masks of former Southampton player Francis Benali adorn seats prior to the home game with Burnley in October 2016. That month, Benali completed an ultra-challenge, running and cycling to all 44 Premier League and Championship stadiums in two weeks. Each day, he ran a marathon and cycled 75 miles, in the process raising over £350,000 for Cancer Research UK. Later that year he was awarded the freedom of the city of Southampton in honour of his remarkable work.

  • Tension mounts for Wigan Athletic fans and Blue the mascot during a game against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2013.
    Tension mounts for Wigan Athletic fans and Blue the mascot during a game against Tottenham Hotspur in April 2013.

  • A piece of street art on the side of a house praising Leicester fans for their role in the team’s surprise title win. At the start of the season punters could get odds of 5,000-1 against on the Foxes being crowned champions in May.
    A piece of street art on the side of a house praising Leicester fans for their role in the team’s surprise title win. At the start of the season punters could get odds of 5,000-1 against on the Foxes being crowned champions in May.

  • Manchester United fans gather outside Old Trafford in September 1998 to protest the club’s planned sale to media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. BSkyB’s £623m bid to buy Manchester United was blocked by the Department of Trade and Industry following a five-month inquiry into the deal conducted by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.
    Manchester United fans gather outside Old Trafford in September 1998 to protest the club’s planned sale to media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. BSkyB’s £623m bid to buy Manchester United was blocked by the Department of Trade and Industry following a five-month inquiry into the deal conducted by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission.

  • Aston Villa supporters let their players know where the goal is, as Ashley Westwood takes a corner against Chelsea in February 2015.
    Aston Villa supporters in the stands at Villa Park indicate to their players where the goal is as Villa’s Ashley Westwood takes a corner in their February 2015 game against Chelsea

  • An Arsenal faan kisses a cardboard cut-out of Arsène Wenger before his final home game as manager, against Burnley in May 2018.
    An Arsenal faan kisses a cardboard cut-out of Arsène Wenger before his final home game as manager, against Burnley in May 2018.

  • A young Swansea City supporter is seen peering through a gap in the wall outside Liberty Stadium, before their December 2016 game against Bournemouth.
    A young Swansea City supporter is seen peering through a gap in the wall outside Liberty Stadium, before their December 2016 game against Bournemouth.

  • In January 1997, Soccer Superheroes, a collection of 10” high figures based on actual players and designed to appeal to serious fans, were launched at the British Toy and Hobby Fair. Alas, years later figures such as Les Ferdinand, David Beckham, Alan Shearer, David Seaman, Ian Wright, Peter Schmeichel and Dwight Yorke, would be found at car boot sales.
    In January 1997, Soccer Superheroes, a collection of 10” high figures based on actual players and designed to appeal to serious fans, were launched at the British Toy and Hobby Fair. Alas, years later figures such as Les Ferdinand, David Beckham, Alan Shearer, David Seaman, Ian Wright, Peter Schmeichel and Dwight Yorke, would be found at car boot sales.

  • Giant inflatable sumo wrestlers fight at Elland Road, prior to Leeds United’s goalless draw with Manchester United in February 1993.
    Giant inflatable sumo wrestlers fight at Elland Road, prior to Leeds United’s goalless draw with Manchester United in February 1993.

  • Half-time entertainment at the Norwich City v Newcastle United game in August 2019 included fans playing a spot of zorb football.
    Half-time entertainment at the Norwich City v Newcastle United game in August 2019 included fans incased in Zorbs playing football

  • In June 2013, supporter groups from across the country descended on London to protest against clubs hiking ticket prices despite signing a £5.5bn television deal.
    In June 2013, supporter groups from across the country descended on London to protest against clubs hiking ticket prices despite signing a £5.5bn television deal.
Topics