Mascot Marvel II

Back in the December of 2011, my eldest son Oliver was a mascot for Gillingham FC as a treat for his fifth birthday. Last weekend, history repeated itself as my youngest son Hayden experienced the same thing as a celebration of his eighth trip around the sun.

Reading back through the blog I wrote after Oliver walked out on the hallowed turf of the Priestfield Stadium I was struck by the contrast between the circumstances of both boys mascot appearances. Oliver was very much living my dream for me and he was a vehicle for living out the things I wanted to do as a child but never did myself. 

Oliver enjoys playing football and has had an incredible football experience growing up playing at academy level when he was younger and could have achieved huge things if his heart was in it. But he hasn't quite been bitten by the same football bug that Hayden and I have.

Hayden has developed a passion for the Gills since we've been season ticket holders, culminating this season in our League Cup game against Brentford which was held at the Premier League clubs new stadium. We had seats directly behind the corner flag in the very front row and when we equalised late in the second half all of the players came running in our direction and we all joined together in celebration at an unlikely goal. 

That soon paled into insignificance a short while later as we secured a shock victory via a penalty shoot out where on the final spot kick the players once again ran over in jubilation and celebrated within touching distance of us.

It was a pivitol night in the formulation of a young Gills fans life and ever since Hayden has changed significantly. Before the Brentford game he'd sit and watch, but now he sits, watches, chants (mostly loudly by himself, much to my embarrassment) and generally immerses himself in the full match day experience.

Oliver has come to Gills games with us over the years, more as punishment than choice. Or if we've been somewhere for the weekend and included a game as part of our time together he's trundled along. But give him the choice he'd rather do anything but watch the Gills. I'm still hoping to change his mind and will keep on persevering!

Had we not suffered at the hands of COVID where mascot opportunities were banned for the best part of two years Hayden would have likely enjoyed his mascot experience sooner. But as it was, I'm glad we were forced to wait as we wouldn't have had the super enthusiastic Hayden we have now. 

For each day of the four months or so since we booked the mascot package, Hayden has been asking us who would be coming with us and could we bring/invite all of his friends, family, neighbours, team mates and anyone else he might have met in passing. He also spent time in the garden practicing his footwork in case anyone was to watch him and judge his football ability. He really did get into the preparation in a big way!

As part of the mascot package, which was a very reasonable rate this time, as a benefit for season ticket holders mascot packages were half price - we were given four tickets as part of the pre-match tour. Hayden invited his friend Henry along, both of who were incredibly excited when I asked Henry's Mum if Henry would be able to join us!

Queuing up outside the ground in an enclosed space at the players entrance Hayden's face lit up as we were joined in the queue by Glenn Morris (the Gills goalkeeper) He also had an excitable moment when Paul Fisher (CEO) walked by. His face lit up, his mouth dropped open and he pointed 'its Paul Scally!'. I quietly corrected him, an easy mistake to make between the two Paul's I suppose, but the wider context to that faux pas is probably worthy of a blog post in itself.

Hayden wasn't the only mascot on the day, nor was Oliver which was shared too by a handful of children. Hayden was one of seven mascots on the day which meant a fairly congested entourage walking around the ground and seeing all of the behind the scenes activity taking place.

The ground has undergone some changes since the last time we had a tour. The GFC school has taken over much of the building now at the expense of football related operations. Much of the interior parts looked a little weather worn and could do with some much needed TLC. I'm hopeful that with a change of ownership at the club that the investment we've long craved is forthcoming and much needed renovations can take place.

One thing Hayden most certainly isn't is shy. When we were walking around the changing room he was quite comfortable talking with everyone, telling each of the goalkeepers that he too plays in goal and asking Alex MacDonald if he remembered him (Hayden and I bumped into Alex MacDonald and Danny Lloyd and chatted with them both at Gillingham train station last season). 

After a whistlestop tour of the facilities including the gym and meeting some of the players in the changing room we retired to the players lounge where a couple of the fringe players were playing pool. The club laid on some lunch and the grown ups sat watching Coventry vs Sunderland on the big screen. Hayden and Henry found a plastic ball from somewhere and the mascots began to have a little bit of a kick-about in the middle of the room.

It wasn't long after before the real action took place. Heading back down to the pitch the mascots were told that they were allowed on for a kick about. They had to stay in the middle of the park in a section that was laid out by yellow cones. It started off well enough, but wasn't long before seven kids kicking balls to each other ended up with footballs going here there and everywhere. Hayden managed to restrain himself from diving and performing saves and risk getting muddy. He did however start practising his ball skills which made us laugh as it looked more like a ballerina in training than a footballer! Poor Henry watching by the side was chomping at the bit and desperate to get involved and wanted to get on the pitch and join in on the action!

Come five to three, Hayden's big moment came. Where as Oliver walked out first with the captain (Andy Frampton), Hayden came out a little further down the line holding George Lapslies hand, which he was most pleased about. And whilst he is isn't shy, he did say that he was nervous about walking out, not that you would have known. He looked excited and proud all at once.- which we did too as parents watching on.

I'd like to thank everyone at Gillingham Football Club for everything that they did on Saturday, in particular Hannah who made all of the necessary arrangements. All in all Hayden had a most memorable day, one that will live long in the memory I'm sure!

For the record.

Hayden's match as Gillingham mascot.

Gillingham lineup: Glenn Morris, Cheye Alexander, David Tutonda, Conor Masterson, Max Ehmer, Timothee Dieng (Shaun Williams), Alex MacDonald (Will Wright), George Lapslie, Dom Jeffries, Tom Nichols (Aiden O'Brien), Ollie Hawkins.

AFC Wimbledon lineup: Nikola Tzanev, Lee Brown, Will Nightingale, Chris Gunter, Kasey McAteer (Saikou Janneh), Jack Currie, Alex Woodyard (Ethan Chislett), Armani Little,  Harry Pell (George Marsh), Josh Davison (Sam Pearson), Ali Al-Hamadi.

Result: 2-1.

Attendance: 7,453