A plot by football fans to mount a Three Lions crest on the Angel of the North ahead of England’s Euro 2020 final was foiled after witnesses called the police.
The fans climbed the famous Antony Gormley sculpture in Gateshead at around midnight on Saturday to show their support for the England team before tomorrow’s match against Italy.
The 5ft badge carried the message “Football’s coming home”, according to Chronicle Live.
However, witnesses called the police and the group of fans were told to remove the badge within minutes of it being attached.
Ben Fada, 38, scaled the Angel having previously attached a Santa hat and a poppy to the iconic sculpture on different occasions.
He said: "I was in work just two days ago, and the lads were saying that they were surprised I hadn't put anything on for the Euros."
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He continued: "I thought it was too late, but literally within 24 hours we had the badge made and the bracket fabricated, so the the effort that went into this was unreal.
"And once we got it on there, nice and safe, the coppers came around the corner after someone reported us for being on top (of the Angel) and shining lights.
"We begged them and asked if there was any chance they could turn a blind eye, but they wouldn't have it.
"I tried to stop up there, trying to say we would come back and take it down tomorrow as it wasn't safe as I was tired but he said if it didn't come own now we were getting hammered, so that was that really.
"The coppers are just doing their job but we are devastated."
This latest plot had only been hatched little over 24 hours earlier, with the badge made in Washington.
Shortly after midnight, they used a 10ft catapult to fire the ropes over the Angel's wings before scaling the 65ft sculpture and clamping the badge on in order to avoid damaging the artwork.
"It was like a military operation to be honest," added Ben, from Washington, who works in rope access and has two decades of experience.
The aim was to not only attach the badge, but to also cover the Angel's wings in England flags.
Had it come off, he feels the public would thought it was "absolutely amazing".
"The whole country now is going absolutely mental for football, the kids are getting days off school and Monday and people are getting days off work, so the country is loving it," he added.
"So we thought hat better than the Angel of the North to give some support."
On Facebook, friends agreed - while slamming those who called the police.
"What a shame.," wrote one friend.
"Why would anyone do that! Rotten spoilsports."
Northumbria Police has been approached for comment.
