Burnley FC star Lyle Foster has a tattoo of an iconic stadium inked on his body to immortalise his childhood memories of the venue.
Foster, who plays in the English Premiership, grew up in Soweto and often went to the iconic Orlando Stadium to watch games.
He says the stadium – home to his boyhood club Orlando Pirates – holds a special place in his heart, and the tattoo keeps those memories alive.
“It’s home, a stadium I have tattooed on my body,” Foster told journalists at the Orlando Stadium.
The Pirates academy prodigy recalls walking from his neighbourhood Noordgesig to Orlando Stadium to watch midweek fixtures.
“From Noordgesig, 2km from here, we used to walk here to come and watch Pirates playing midweek games.
“My father, my uncles – all our family are Pirates supporters. Even to be able to play here was a great honour for me.”
Lyle Foster’s tattoo a tribute to the stadium where he fell in love with football
Foster’s tattoo features a detailed rendering of Orlando Stadium. The stadium is somewhat depicted in its current state.
Interestingly, Foster scored a brace against Liberia in a crucial AFCON qualifier in March 2023 at the same venue. The match ended 2-2 as Bafana Bafana allowed the visitors to claw back into the game.
“The only time I score for the country in South Africa is here [at Orlando Stadium]. It’s a good thing,” he added.
The 23-year-old has scored three goals in 10 outings for the national team. He has repeatedly spoken about his love for Pirates, his boyhood club.
“It’s a club I’ll hold dear to me. It’s my neighbourhood club and the team I grew up supporting. Playing here is always special.”
Foster’s tattoo is a touching tribute to his childhood memories of Orlando Stadium. It is a reminder of the power of football to unite people and create lasting memories.
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