In the world of football, where legends are made and records are broken, moments of brilliance deserve to be immortalised. At Thomas Lyte, the renowned goldsmiths and silversmiths, we have had the privilege of creating some of the most prestigious goal-scoring awards in the sport.
With a strong connection to football, we take great pride in handcrafting these symbols of achievement and celebrating the heroes who grace pitches around the globe. Let me take you on a journey of discovery through the handcrafted goal-scoring awards that have been produced in our London-based workshops this season.
The Emirates FA Cup is one of the oldest national football tournaments, captivating football fans around the world. At Thomas Lyte, we have the privilege of being the Official Silverware and Trophy Suppliers to The FA and the Emirates FA Cup. We crafted the Emirates FA Cup trophy in our workshops and provide the medals for the final every season.
In collaboration with The FA and Mitre, one of their partners, we were approached to design and handcraft two Mitre Golden Balls for the leading goal scorer in both the men’s and women’s FA Cup competitions for the 2021/22 season. We also joined forces once again for the 2022/23 season, supplying the men’s award presented to the talented Wrexham striker, Paul Mullin.
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Photos of the award were shared online by Ryan Reynolds, the owner of Wrexham and a Hollywood actor. Wrexham won the National League Trophy this year, which was also crafted by Thomas Lyte’s team of skilled goldsmiths and silversmiths.
Women’s football is thriving, and at Thomas Lyte, we are committed to recognising and empowering the achievements of sportswomen. This year, we received recognition for inspiring the England Women’s nickname “Lionesses” when we designed and made the Women’s FA Cup trophy in the 1990’s.
In addition to designing and supplying the medals for the final, we also had the privilege to handcraft the Mitre Golden Ball for the leading goal scorer of Vitality Women’s FA Cup competition.
Made to the same specifications as the Men’s golden ball, with differences in the engraving to reflect the aesthetic of the match balls used for the tournament, this award not only represents the individual’s accomplishment but also showcases the growing prominence of women’s football.
Sammy Roland from Hashtag United Women was presented with the award this season. Despite her club’s elimination in the 4th round, Roland amassed an impressive tally of eleven goals, including three hat-tricks and a remarkable five-goal performance in a resounding 10-1 victory.
Thomas Lyte, as part of our partnership with The FA, provides golden boots for the all-time leading goal scorers of England’s Senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams.
England has produced exceptional goal scorers who have made a lasting impact on the sport. Breaking records is a challenging and rare accomplishment. What makes this project even more special is that both the Men’s and Women’s records were broken within a year of each other. This presented an opportunity to create two identical golden boots for the record-breakers, Ellen White and Harry Kane.
These awards, crafted with utmost precision and artistry, pay tribute to the extraordinary talent and dedication of these incredible football icons, commemorating their significant contributions to their national teams.
UEFA European club football is renowned for its brilliance, passion, drama, and unforgettable goals. It brings together Europe’s top clubs, who compete fiercely for prestigious silverware, leaving a lasting legacy of individual and team performances.
At Thomas Lyte, we have the privilege of handcrafting the Golden Boots for four esteemed UEFA tournaments: the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Women’s Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Europa Conference League. These awards represent the winner’s relentless pursuit of victory for their clubs and their extraordinary goals witnessed on European soil.
For the 2022/23 season, the golden boot winners are:
Over the past decade, Thomas Lyte have been privileged to create many golden boot awards for legendary players who broke their club’s goal-scoring records. Among them, Frank Lampard of Chelsea and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United stand out as iconic English sportsmen who have left an indelible mark on the game. These custom awards not only celebrate their immense talent but also commemorate their remarkable contributions to their respective clubs’ histories, creating lasting memories for both the clubs and their fans.
At Thomas Lyte, our connection with football runs deep, as we truly understand the passion, skill, and dedication that make the beautiful game what it is. Crafting goal scoring awards has allowed us to celebrate the heroes who inspire us and the unforgettable moments that define football.
From collaborating closely with Mitre and The FA on their Golden Ball to creating the Golden Boots for England and UEFA tournaments, each project celebrates quality and rewards excellence, values that we hold in high regard at Thomas Lyte.
Our talented trophy designers, along with our master goldsmiths and silversmiths, feel privileged to play a small role in the grand narrative of football. They pour their heart and soul into meticulously crafting every award, ensuring that they reflect the exceptional level at which these athletes perform.
These awards, lovingly handcrafted by Thomas Lyte, will forever symbolise the moments that take our breath away and the players who etch their names into the annals of football history.
Read about our press mentions and awards for the project
We have selected a number of case studies that demonstrate the broad range of our capabilities designing and making in precious metals.
