A Mascot's Experience
By: Jason Ives
Date: 03/03/2002
IN VIEW of the difficult times that the club are going through at the moment I would like to comment on the experience that my family had on Tuesday evening.
My daughter Lauren was mascot for the game against Stockport, kindly arranged by Tim Harvey of the commercial department. Lauren has a condition called Erbs Palsy, resulting in her left arm being paralysed and in an effort to raise awareness and publicity of the condition, the club allowed her to be mascot even though she was only 1 year old, turning 2 the day after the game.
We were met by John Hanley at 6.20pm who took us into the warm and presented Lauren with a bag, consisting of hat and scarf, teddy bear, matchday programme and a certificate for being mascot. After a brief chat John allowed me to take Lauren into the dressing room to meet the players, they were all kind enough to spare some time to chat and most players signed a birthday card for Lauren. After this we were allowed on to the pitch for a little kick around, and despite the cold Lauren enjoyed it so much so that she didn't want to come off. She had her photograph taken with Mighty Mariner, played football with him(and nutmegged him!)and furthermore copied the players warm up routine.
After a brief period back into the warm we went out to lead the team out but, unfortunately, the weather beat us and we decided, as Lauren was cold, that it was too much for her and to keep her in the warm.
In summary, as much as football nowadays is valued as being big business, Grimsby Town FC looked after my daughter tremendously. They allowed her to do as much or as little as she wanted, ensured she was happy, were courteous to us at all times and made the experience a happy one. Our thanks go especially to John Hanley, who was magnificent and obviously enjoys his job and takes pleasure in making sure that everyone enjoys the day.
If anyone has the opportunity for their child to be mascot I would say make sure they do it, it will be an experience that they will remember for a long time, and the club should be applauded in the manner they operate the mascot's day.
If you would like more information on how your child could take part in a day at Blundell Park which they would remember for the rest of their lives send an e-mail to commercial@gtfc.co.uk.
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