Birmingham City v Leeds United Mascot Package

I was lucky enough to secure my Son, Christian a mascot package for the Birmingham v Leeds match on Wednesday 26th October 2011.  Many thanks go to Helen Tims, Mascot Coordinator, Samantha Reilly, Beau’s Buddies/Blues Crew and Sarah Gould BCFC Customer Services Manager.

Details on how to obtain such packages for your own children/loved ones are here:-

Official Mascot Packages at BCFC

Prices start at £99 plus VAT, and believe me the value is amazing!  Christian had known about the evening for a fair few weeks, so excitement had been building (for me too!) in our household.  My wife and daughter, Grace, were due to come along too, but the lovely Mrs Dempsey wasn’t well enough to attend, so kept Grace (who’s only 2!) at home with her.  They missed an amazing evening, but it was to be Christian’s evening after all so I promised to send constant photo and SMS messages…

Our five match winning streak had truly set the scene, and I played the second half of my radio recording of our Carling Cup Final triumph in the car on the way there.  Kick off was at 7:45 pm but we were expected to arrive at 4:40pm so there’s a great indication of just how much was in store for us.

We parked up – free car parking – and made our way to the Garrison Lane Stand reception, where we were greeted by the Mascots Coordinator.  We were each given VIP tickets and a bcfc lanyard to parade around in, making us feel like royalty.

We had free soft drinks and were shown into the mascot lounge, where we were made to feel comfortable before the mascots (there were four home and one away mascot tonight!) were taken to meet the players.  Christian came back to the lounge with the signatures of Nikola Zigic, Nathan Redmond, Colin Doyle, Chris Wood, Curtis Davies, Jean Beausejour, Marlon King and Chris Burke.  He was far too excited to remember the others, and I can’t quite decipher those without their squad numbers.  Heh heh.

We were then taken on an amazing stadium tour, which took in the cells, the press room (Tom Ross was in residence!) and past the dressing rooms (we have visited those before during the Easter Party, but these are out of bounds on match days, as the players are – well – getting dressed!)  We were taught the amazing history of the ground, gypsy curse and all, and given some hilarious anecdotes about the club.  Needless to say some included Barry Fry, Jim Smith and his crucifixes!!  The history of Spion Kop Stand was particularly interesting.

We were shown all around the ground, so I was lucky to get this amazing photograph of Christian “on the pitch” (they weren’t allowed on the turf…..yet!)

We were even treated to a seat in the Directors’ Area, halfway up the Kop Stand, where the Maribor victory was on display on the LCD monitors in front of each seat!

Back to the mascot lounge, and Christian was presented with the full home kit (with long sleeved shirt, shorts and socks!)…

We were fed a wonderful two-course meal, which featured a choice of lasagne, chicken nuggets, pizza, potato wedges and salad.  We both loved the food, and one of us ate everything on the menu, followed by seconds.  Ahem.  The dessert was a choice of chocolate cake and fresh cream or fresh tropical fruits (both enjoyed by myself as the fruit negated the fat in the cake and cream 😉 ).  All enjoyed with fruit drinks for the children and tea/coffee for the adults.  Quality food served by polite staff.  What more could you ask for?  Well, the children could ask for fun and games, so they were all thrilled to take part in some competitions, which won them prizes.  Children cover your ears, but I suspect the prizes were dished out equally to all present.  You can open your ears again!  Christian won a mini ball, BCFC autograph book and pen, Blues hat and Blues scarf.  We were both presented with a match programme, which included a photograph of Christian (and other mascots!) and Christian’s copy was custom printed with his name on the front cover!

We then had the first of Christian’s three photographs taken by the club photographer, alongside Beau and Belle Brummie with a proud Dad.  The official photographs are posted out within two weeks so I can’t include them on this blog, unfortunately.The mascots were then taken onto the pitch for a training session with coaching staff, and Beau & Belle Brummie.  This seemed to last about 30 minutes, and included exercising, ball skills and a general knockabout, all while the first team went through their own pre-match warm up.  If you have good eyesight you should be able to make the mascots out in this photograph…

The mascots were then taken to the players’ tunnel to get ready for the big kick off, where the second official photo was taken.  Christian had been certain he’d ask to walk out onto the pitch with Boaz Myhill.  He really wants to be a goalkeeper, and he’d worn his goalkeeper’s kit specially for the occasion, but naughty me had neglected to mention he’d be getting a new kit of his own to wear.  With it being an outfield kit, he changed his mind and opted to run out alongside Marlon King.  Check out the video by clicking here (the big screen intro first so be patient)…

Mascots Run Out Onto Pitch – BCFC v Leeds

When out on the pitch, he was photographed for the final time – with Marlon King – and shook hands with the match officials and Leeds players.  Back to the stands, and we had VIP seats with an excellent view from the Garrison Lane Stand.  His new hat and scarf came in mighty handy, I must say!  Half time, we had a reserved area in the Trevor Francis Suite, with free drinks and a one goal lead provided gratis.  I’m not convinced the goal lead will be available for future mascots, though!!  He was presented with a laminated certificate, commemorating the occasion and all that remained was the second half.  A Bluenose through and through, I couldn’t help but wonder if we might lose it after all in the second half, though even a loss wouldn’t have made Christian’s day any less enjoyable, but hold on we did, and Myhill pulled off some amazing saves to keep us in front, while Zigic and Wood had excellent chances to put us even further ahead!

Christian’s man of the match was going to be Marlon King I reckon, though he opted for Zigic in honour of the big man’s goal.  Chris Burke got the official nod, whilst my choice would have been Curtis Davies who was imperious all match.  Caldwell deserves an honourable mention for taking a nose shattering clatter in the face and carrying on like a trooper after minimal treatment.

All in all, an excellent performance by Birmingham City, players, management, administration team and mascots!!

Keep Right On

Russell Dempsey, Father of Matchday Mascot Christian 🙂

Plenty more photographs and some video footage including mascot training session if you’re so inclined….

Click Here for my online photo and video album