Mascots have long been an identity or a representation of sports groups all over the world. These fictional representatives are believed to bring luck or favour to the groups they represent. Mascots are a huge part of the world of sports and are commonly used for branding and merchandising – whilst also for cheerleading at the grounds.
These goodwill ambassadors have been a major part of American sports culture and have now flourished all over the world. These costumed characters often take the form of an animal or an object that the establishment holds dear. The world of football has also adopted this culture with several clubs introducing some of their very own mascots. While some have been existing for decades, others have been introduced in recent years.
Let’s take a look at 5 of the most popular club football mascots.
#5 Bart Simpson – Zenit St.Petersburg
Russian football club, Zenit St.Petersburg seem to be big fans of the popular animated sitcom, The Simpsons with the Russian team announcing Bart Simpson as their official club mascot back in 2014. Springfield’s most mischievous ten-year-old was announced as the club’s new player/mascot after Zenit reached an agreement with 20th Century Fox for the rights.
Bart is known to be a troublesome and malicious character in the world of The Simpsons and is often the cause of peril in Springfield. The club also released pictures of Bart shaking hands with Andres Villas-Boas after undergoing a medical at Zenit. ‘The Simpsons’ is the longest running American sitcom on television ever since it’s debut in 1989. The multi Emmy award winning show is available in five different languages and is popular all around the world.
#4 Gunnersaurus Rex - Arsenal
This Cretaceous critter’s origins dates back to 1994 when Arsenal decided to give the club’s younger fans to come up with a design for the club’s official mascot. The eight-foot-tall green dinosaur was the creation of Peter Lovell, who was just eleven years old when he came up with the idea of a Dinosaur being the club’s mascot. Apparently, Peter’s inspiration for Gunnersaurus Rex came from the 1993 movie Jurassic Park.
Rex is an omnipresent figure during Arsenal’s triumphant moments and has been spotted several times on the squad’s bus parades. Peter’s childhood creation often makes appearances at community welfare meets, birthdays and weddings.
More than 23 years since his inception, Gunnersaurus has lifted the spirits of the crowd both at the Highbury as well as the Emirates. Even after two decades, the friendly dinosaur still remains the club’s beloved mascot.
#3 Fred The Red - Manchester United
In what looks like a cross between, Clifford the big red dog and the son of Satan, ‘Fred the Red’ is the devilishly charming mascot for Manchester United. Named after the club’s nickname, The Red Devils, Fred is one of the more popular mascots in the Premier League.
Wearing the number 55 on the back of his shirt, Fred has been entertaining the Old Trafford crowd for well over two decades now. Since his inception, Fred has been in attendance of every trophy Manchester United has lifted over the years. Although recently, wee-Fred was in a bit of a worry concerning his job at the club, but the Special one saved the day by offering him a new contract.
Rest assured, the fans can rejoice as Fred The Red is not going anywhere soon.
#2 Chirpy Cockerel – Tottenham
Given Harry Hotspur’s love for cockfights, Spurs decided to make Chirpy Cockerel the official mascot for the club. The cockerels have been a part of the club’s emblem since the year 1901 and is inspired by the bird on Tottenham Hotspur’s crest.
Chirpy is a popular figure during matchdays at White Hart Lane and surely makes everyone go coo! coo! for Cockerel! Chirpy frequently travels with the Spurs squad on pre-season tours and also takes part in the Mascot Derby, where several club mascots take part in athletic obstacle races.
Spurs can definitely use a bit of boosting from Chirpy this season with the competition for Champions League spots getting tighter and tighter by the day.
#1 Hammerhead – West Ham United
The East London club’s newest mascot supposedly came to life after a lightning struck one of the stadium's Ironworks. The semi-robotic mascot was introduced to the Hammers fans back in 2011 and has been a popular attraction to the club’s match day program.
Hammerhead is often seen dancing to music, cheering the crowd and clicking pictures with kids at West Ham’s home ground. While some fans didn’t quite take Hammerhead to their hearts most of the fans were delighted to welcome the part hammer, part robotic mascot. Looking at their position on the Premier League table this season, West Ham can really use some support from their lucky mascot.
