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About
Easter Lily Catholic mural
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The iconic 'Big Lily' flag, an emblem of unity and friendship among Manchester United fans, has a profound origin and symbolism that resonates with the club’s global fanbase. Created in 1999 by two friends from opposite sides of the religious divide, Keith Norris and the late, Martin ‘Faceman’ Cleary, the flag was born out of the desire to create harmony within their local Manchester United Supporters Club in Northern Ireland, a region historically divided by religious conflict.
The name “Big Lily” itself is deeply symbolic, deriving from the Easter Lily and Orange Lily, which are emblematic of the Catholic and Protestant traditions in Ireland. These flowers represent the coming together of fans from different backgrounds, united by their shared love for Manchester United. Originally the flag was 3 times smaller than its current size, had the words CARRICKFERGUS REDS emblazoned and was christened 'Wee Lily' to represent both traditions. It was hoped their prodigy would give a common identity and create harmony in their local Manchester United Supporters Club and in the wider community.
The flag was stitched by Karen Banks and its first appearance was at the famous San Siro in Milan on St Patrick's Day, 1999, when United beat Inter in the quarter final of the Champions League. Trips to the semi final against Juventus in Stadio Del Alpi Turin, and Villa Park, for the FA Cup Semi Final, against Arsenal followed, when it was unfurled during the impromptu pitch invasion following Ryan Giggs's wonder goal which kept the dream of an unprecedented Treble alive.
With trips to Wembley and Barcelona looming, 'Wee Lily' went under the stitcher's needle and became 'Big Lily', 3 times her original size, famously appearing on TV at the FA Cup Final against Newcastle and the Champions League Final against Bayern Munich.
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Following on from the Treble, Big Lily travelled to the Toyota Cup in Tokyo in December 1999 then to the inaugural FIFA World Club Championship in Rio De Janeiro in January 2000 where Keith, staying in the Intercontinental Hotel as were Manchester United and Real Madrid teams, befriended players Raul Gonzales, Fernando Hierro and renowned physiotherapist, Pedro Chueca.
When United drew Real Madrid in 2000 Champions League, Big Lily appeared at Santiago Bernabeu and Keith was invited as a guest.
Having achieved the objectives of promoting community harmony 'CARRICKFERGUS REDS’ was replaced with the wording ‘MANCHESTER UNITED FC and 'STRETFORD END ON TOUR’ and Big Lily was welcomed on the pitch at Old Trafford in the match against Aston Villa in 2000.
In April 2001, Big Lily was bridesmaid at the Kyoto wedding of Keith and Yukari, his Japanese sweetheart whom he met as a result of his trip to watch United in Tokyo the previous year, then appeared in Tier 2 of the Stretford End for the first time on the 5th May, 2001 against Derby County celebrate the final league game.
Big Lily mysteriously disappeared causing a frenzy in the national media, eventually being returned via The Daily Star newspaper following appeals from Manchester United.
On 23rd April, 2003 Big Lily appeared in Stretford End lower before the game against Real Madrid in which Ronaldo Nazario scored one of the greatest hat-tricks ever and was clapped off the pitch by the United faithful.
When Big Lily was displayed over The Stormont Hotel, Belfast at George Best's funeral in 2005, this was to be the final time Keith and 'Faceman' would unfurl Big Lily together.
​​In 2007 Faceman passed away suddenly at the age of 53. Keith was devastated, with the exception of the Champions League final in Moscow in 2008, where Big Lily appeared, the flag would not be seen again in public until 8 years later.
Once again Big Lily was invited to be displayed on the Old Trafford pitch in January 2016 v Swansea then outside Wembley before the cup final against Crystal Palace in 2016.
Malta, the oldest Manchester United Supporters Club, invited Big Lily and the Wee Lily flags to their 60th Anniversary celebrations in 2019. This was closely followed by a trip to Tour to Perth, Australia in where Big Lily led the fans march to the Optus Stadium.
In 2020 Big Lily led a fans walk at Trudering, on the outskirts of Munich where the plane carrying the Busby Babes crashed on an icy runway on 6th February 1958. Big Lily often attends Marienplatz in Munich at 5pm on the 5th of February with special dispensation from the Lord Mayor, Deiter Reiter.
In 2024 a group of around 60 held a private service on the site of the old runway in Munich were Big Lily stalwart, Derek 'Digger' Gardner, read the names aloud and shared stories and songs of the Busby Babes
Big Lily travelled travel to Los Angeles and San Diego on Manchester United's 2024 Pre Season tour.
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ORIGIN AND SYMBOLISM
GLOBAL JOURNEY
Faceman, Paddy Crerand and Norris
Marienplatz, Munich
Manchesterplatz, Munich
Trudering, Munich
Kyoto, Japan
George Best Funeral
DOCUMENTARY
The documentary project, titled 'United’s Big Lily - The Flag of Friendship', captures the essence of this iconic symbol and its significance to fans around the world. It aims to honour the legacy of the flag and its co-creator, Martin ‘Faceman’ Cleary - a tribute to the global passion for Manchester United and portrays the unifying power.
The documentary has already filmed in Belfast and Dublin, Kyoto, Malta, Manchester, Madrid, Perth and will be filmed in Los Angeles, San Diego and South Carolina, showcasing the flag’s global journey and the diverse fanbase of Manchester United. It features interviews with key figures associated with the flag and highlights the cultural impact the “Big Lily” has had over the years.
The project is a celebration of the “Big Lily” as a global flag of friendship, and once completed, it will offer a unique perspective on the shared love and camaraderie that Manchester United fans have, regardless of their background or location. The documentary is set to be a heartfelt narrative of the flag’s origins, its travels, and the footballing friendships that have been built around it.It’s a story of peace, unity, and the enduring spirit of the Manchester United community, captured through the lens of one of its most cherished symbols.
The documentary features interviews and stories about a host of famous individuals who have been associated with the club and its history including Gary Neville, Harry Gregg, Lou Macari and Sammy McIlroy.
Orange Lily Protestant mural
BOOK
'My Big Lily: Manchester United’s Biggest Supporter', Published on November 1, 2002, the book delves into the flag’s humble beginnings in Northern Ireland and its rise to global prominence as a symbol of unity among Manchester United fans. With a foreword by United legend, Paddy Crerand, the book captures the essence of what it means to support the club — a commitment characterised by emotion, passion, and loyalty.
The 292-page book details the flag’s adventures, from its presence at the Nou Camp to its travels across the Far East, and recounts meetings with football greats like Raul and Roberto Carlos. It also touches on the flag’s disappearance, which made national tabloid headlines, adding to its storied history. Sir Alex Ferguson praised the book, highlighting the importance of supporters to the club and commending Norris for his outstanding work. 'My Big Lily' is not just a story about a flag; it’s a reflection of the lifeblood of Manchester United — its fans. The book stands as a testament to the power of sports in uniting people and transcending cultural boundaries, a theme that resonates throughout its pages. The book is a celebration of the global flag of friendship, documenting the extraordinary lengths to which fans will go to support their team, making it an essential addition to the literature of Manchester United and football fandom at large.
WEE LILY FLAGS
Wee Lily' flags are a series of smaller flags, each with its own unique story and significance. They are presented to honour Official Manchester United Supporters' clubs, legends and players, Football Clubs who have helped Manchester United or individuals or groups to appreciate recognise their dedication and passion for the club. For more information click here
MOVIE
23 years ago, Keith and Faceman made a pivotal decision that shaped the course of Big Lily's journey. Backed by Manchester United and two production companies, the opportunity to bring the story to the big screen was within reach. However, faced with the prospect of compromising the essence of their narrative with a fictional 'Troubles' storyline, the two friends stood firm in their conviction.
Rejecting the allure of dramatic embellishments, the friends stayed true to their vision of depicting the unifying power of friendship through their shared love and passion for Manchester United. Despite the writers' persuasive arguments, they chose authenticity over sensationalism, a choice they never regretted.
As Big Lily and Keith prepare to embark on the Pre Season tour, the memory of Faceman looms large. Since his untimely passing in 2007, every tribute to Big Lily and Wee Lily flags has been a testament to his spirit and their enduring bond.
As they visited LA and San Diego, Keith carried with him the legacy of their unwavering commitment to honouring friendship, unity, and the true essence of Big Lily's story.
Keith is now ready to explore opportunities. If you have any credible contacts, with proven track record in this industry please get in touch.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
MURAL
In 2019, a mural entitled 'Global Flag of Friendship' was unveiled features the Orange lily of unionism and the Easter lily of nationalism, representing the flag’s purpose of uniting fans from all backgrounds.
The mural not only celebrates the global community of Manchester United fans but also stands as a testament to the power of sport in bridging divides. It has became a part of the city’s globally renowned International Wall Murals and was viewed by many of the city’s annual visitors. The flag and mural together tell a story of peace, friendship, and the universal love for football that transcends traditional boundaries.
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This mural of “Big Lily” was not just a piece of art; it was a narrative of history, culture, and the spirit of camaraderie that defines Manchester United’s fanbase. It’s a reminder of how a simple symbol can carry a profound message of hope and unity in a place once marked by conflict. The “Big Lily” mural was a vibrant addition to Belfast’s peace wall, offering inspiration to fans and non-fans alike, and served as a colourful chronicle of the flag’s journey from a local supporters club to a global icon.
The flag represents the spirit of unity and dedication amongst Manchester United supporters, spreading a message of friendship and global connection.
Our Mission
United's 'Big Lily' and 'Wee Lily' tribute flags are dedicated to fostering global friendship and preserving the heritage of Manchester United in a unique manner in memory of Martin 'Faceman' Cleary.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a worldwide community of Manchester United supporters, united in friendship and loyalty to the club.