Bring on the mascots….

OOOps I forgot to post this the other week, so here it is now!

A few weeks ago I shadowed a group of v. excited kids who were being mascots for the day at WBA. Under the guidance of Jan, the ‘Mascot manager’, who has to manage the families too….for the whole of a hyperventilating matchday:)

So, touring round the empty stadium, the dressing rooms etc and even getting our feet on the hallowed turf to have a kickabout – it was the perfect day. After lunch and a sugarhigh of cakes, they got to meet the players, get pictures and enjoy the buzz of around 30, 000 fans in the crowd and the matchday atmosphere…. it was a brilliant day all round…only ruined by the fact that WBA lost:(

So, figuring out that the children could have played better themselves….I wrote this – and as the families were all chuffed to think they’d be in a poem – I wrote it for them to enjoy as well – so it’s a very family friendly piece….

BRING ON THE MASCOTS.

The sixty-third minute and Crystal Palace score:(

We won 5-0 last week, but now my heart sinks to the floor.

He’s ‘cute and wears nice jumpers’, but Di Matteo must go –

move him to the subs bench, put Jan in charge of the show.

She could take a corner, score goals with high heels on

and kick the Baggies up the rear as graceful as a swan…

Substitute four players and send the mascots out instead.

They’re bursting with excitement and just need the go ahead.

They’ve lunched on cheese and pineapple, changed into pristine kit….

they dream of playing for West Brom, and now ‘This is it!’

Max is 9, his size 2 feet have scored 2 goals this morning.

His Dad’s a Ref., so any lip and you’ll be on a warning:)

Jamie’s blonde and tall like Crouch, he’s a demon on the wing.

Just eleven, he’ll create play with targetted heading.

In goal – five year old Matthew – cheered on by Grandad Brian.

We’ll mount an epic rescue, just like ‘Saving Private Ryan.’

Not forgetting Morgan – though he’s a Crystal Palace Fan.

In defence he’ll nutmeg tackle like a practised artisan.

We might sneak in a victory or salvage at least a draw.

If we lose today, we won’t be top of the league anymore.

With mascots playing weekly we’d cut the wage bill in half:

a giant box of Haribo and the players’ autographs.

Full time: we’ve lost – the whistle stirs me from my daydream scene.

Next time I hope we call on Jan and the mascots to intervene!