A third of Brits would copy their favourite footballer’s hairstyle to show support for England and Wales on their route to glory, with Jack Grealish’s undercut topping the polls as the UK’s most desirable trim, according to new research announced today.
Powerleague, the UK’s leading small-sided football operator, surveyed 1,000 adults across the UK and found that almost a third of millennials would adopt a footballer’s hairstyle to get in the spirit for a big tournament. Following this research, Powerleague is offering fans the opportunity to do just that, by partnering with Sheldon “HD Cutz” Edwards, the England squad’s unofficial barber.
HD Cutz, the barber responsible for Phil Foden’s bleach blonde hair at the 2020 European Championships, and his team of premier stylists will be attending this year’s World Cup 5’s National tournament, brought home by Burton, on Saturday 19 November, at Powerleague Shepherd’s Bush, to offer football fans the chance to get their football-inspired haircut.
With two out of five 18-34-year-olds admitting they have copied a footballer’s hairstyle at least once in the past, HD Cutz – who boasts a star-studded list of clients including Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Erling Haaland, Paul Pogba and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - will be on hand to give football fans the style they’re looking for.
As half of millennials say they’ve copied the hairstyles of their footballing idols because they have style, it’s no surprise that David Beckham’s Mohawk from the 2002 World Cup tops the list as the most iconic footballing haircut, even after twenty years, followed closely by Kevin Keegan’s perm.
A quarter of 18-34-year-olds say they would pick up a pair of clippers and some scissors to celebrate a big win, and it’s Jack Grealish’s undercut (with the Alice band) that they want the most, ahead of teenage Cristiano Ronaldo’s famous blonde tips.
Sheldon Edwards, Creative Director at HD Cutz, said: “I’ve worked with some of the biggest stars in the world and I know the confidence that a fresh haircut can bring to a player. Fans want to see personality out on the pitch and I believe what you wear on your head is just as important as the boots you wear on your feet. Whilst the players battle it out on the pitch, I’m excited to partner with Powerleague to be able to give fans the opportunity to show their support for their national team, through the power of a haircut.”
Powerleague will host the World Cup 5s National tournament, brought home by Burton, at Shepherd’s Bush on Saturday 19 November, where the winners of 32 regional heats across the country will compete in a traditional tournament format to be crowned the best five-a-side team in the UK.
Over 250 teams entered the tournament and Burton, who created the official suits for England’s 1966 World Cup squad, will award the winners with retro kits, vouchers, cash, and an exclusive screening of an England game of their choice at one of Powerleague’s newly created fan zones.
Louis Hakner, Head of Marketing at Powerleague, said: “We’re so excited to be hosting the World Cup 5’s National tournament, brought home by Burton, and we can’t wait to discover the best 5-a-side football team in the UK. To make the event extra special, we’re delighted to team up with Sheldon “HD Cutz” Edwards to give fans the opportunity to emulate their sporting heroes with some of history’s most iconic hairstyles on the eve of the biggest football competition in the world.”
To enter and have a chance to win a haircut from HD Cutz, visit @powerleague on Instagram.
