And on the back of a night at the ice hockey, here’s a paws for thought… let’s have a British mascot hall of fame.
Paws, as I ought to have known, but do now is Edinburgh Capitals’ lion mascot.
In a pride of big cats, the symbols of sporting teams the length and breadth of this island of Britain.
With Edinburgh’s two football teams, Hearts and Hibs adopting Tynie Tiger and Sunshine the Leith Lynx.
And Scotland represented by Roary the Lion.
Whisper it, we probably owe our southern neighbours for kicking it all off.
With their World Cup Willie for their World Cup in 1966.
Cats and mouse game
And yes, behind many of the mascots’ name is a giggling overgrown school kid, although sometimes it’s accidental.
Or because we are separated by a common language.
As we discovered as an Irish party visiting the Los Angeles Angels baseball team in Anaheim.
And our Angels guide proudly announced they like nothing better than getting their Mickeys out.
Which a man will be arrested for in Ireland.
Hall of Famers
All good fun and banter which, of course, drives fans everywhere.
And which our American friends recognise and mark in their Mascot Hall of Fame.
All the brainchild of Philly Phanatic, David Redmond, who held the position and costume from 1978-1993.
Now the Hall of Fame, like much else these days, is an online site.
After a spell between 2018-24 as an interactive children’s’ museum in Indiana.
Now should you or your mascot feel they belong in the Hall of Fame then you need to persuade the committee.
That you have been going for a minimum of ten years.
And that you have impacted your sport and community.
Inspired fans, and consistently given memorable and groundbreaking performances.
Meet the Mascots
You’ll only join a magical mascots membership.
That includes Cosmo, Miles, Goldy, Mrs Met and in the best tradition of these things, yes, Cocky.
We reckon Paws would be a worthy addition.
Not least because we can reveal that’s where Ed Sheeran has been hiding these past few days.
