Fans Comment
Steve Guy

Mascot costs
12 April 2006

I don't know where the figure of £1500 comes from, which was the sum mentioned in a recent mail as the price paid for a child to be mascot for the day [but see response below].  I can only think that either some clubs are incredibly greedy, or it's the cost they incur (but don't pass on).

My son was mascot last season in the home game vs Fulham and it didn't cost me a bean. We arrived at 12:30 at the Park End reception and were met by a member of the Marketing Team. We were placed in a room next to where the TV interviews are done (and got to have a go in front of the cameras) and we were introduced to the Toffee Girl for the day and the Fulham mascot too (and their dads, who were generally more excited than the kids!). Sandwiches and drinks were laid on.

We then had a tour of the Dressing Rooms as the players arrived and they were all great; signing my son's programme and chatting to him (and taking the proverbial about who his favourite player was, Big Dunc). We also went into the Fulham dressing room for the benefit of their mascot, but their players were equally pleasant to all.

We were then taken into another room where Moysie was in discussion with his coaching team. He was charming and seemed genuinely pleased to meet us. My son then got changed into a full kit which was provided for him and which he subsequently got to keep.

Out on the pitch we watched the players warm up and then as they subsequently ran out, my lad got to takes shots at Nigel (memorable as, taking his first shot, he fell flat on his backside to the great amusement of the Street End).

We then sat in the Goodison Road enclosure using four complementary tickets. Between these and our normal season tickets it meant that my son's family also got to see him on his big day.

The whole experience will stay with both of us for the rest of our lives. I would happily have contributed towards the costs in some way; but it would seem that this is one bit of the Everton PR and Marketing set up which they get right, but of which we hear very little.
Steve Guy


Responses:
Open to correction but I think the reference to £1500 (approx) is the price of being the "corporate mascot"; or the price charged if you want to "jump the queue" with having your kid as matchday mascot. — Colm

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