Steve Holt - The Deeping Mascot

Rain is in the air. You’re standing near the touchline when your football team is three goals down. Nevertheless, in a few moments’ time, you have to turn to the 10,000 crowd and do something – anything – to raise their spirits.

But you’re not the manager, not the coach; you’re the mascot. Encased in layers of foam and fur shaped into a mischievous Imp called ‘Poacher’. You are seen as the physical embodiment of the love and loyalty fans have for their team - and hopefully one that brings a little luck to each game.

The word itself comes from the French word ‘mascotte’ which translates as lucky charm. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED’s) earliest recording of the word dates back to 1881,

following the 1880 French Opera, La mascotte. Its plot involved a person being a symbol of good fortune, an idea then taken and replicated on the sports field.