DIS Graphics has delivered a landmark first with a giant ‘Get Well Soon’ banner, paid for by Wolves fans after striker Raul Jimenez sustained a head injury during a recent win at Arsenal. It is the first installation of Kavalan Spiderweb PVC-free mesh banner at a football stadium anywhere in the world.
The banner was initially the idea of fan Kieran Newey, who after gaining the club’s blessing, set about crowd-funding a supersized graphic to help raise £7,500. His #9forRJ9 on-line campaign also invited fans to upload their own designs for the banner. An entry from Louise Cobbold, the artist behind many of Wolves’ official matchday programme covers, was chosen as the winner.
Wolverhampton-based DIS, the football club’s official partner since July 2019, printed the banner at cost on its EFI Vutek h5 printer using UV inks. Measuring 45m x 11m, it was installed in the upper tier of the Steve Bull stand in the Molineux Stadium for the closed Premier League meeting with Aston Villa on Saturday 12 December.
Exclusively available from CMYUK, Kavalan Spiderweb PVC-free mesh has the same look, feel and strength as PVC mesh banner. “As a print service provider, we want to ensure we can offer suitable sustainable materials to all our clients. Kavalan Spiderweb mesh delivers on eco-responsibility and performance. It ticks all the boxes, and makes a compelling case for all sporting fixtures and outdoor events to confidently switch to a green alternative,” said Dave Purcell, DIS sales director.
Charlotte Johnson, head of marketing at Wolves, added: “We are very proud to be the first football club in the world to install this sustainable PVC-free banner material.”
In total fans have raised over £20,000, which will be sent to a charity of Jiménez’s choice.