New Albion mascot scheme: 8 paid places, 2 free places from Gully's Gang, 1 from AITC

[leigull]

I understand the argument, and it is fair enough. But seriously, having Junior Seagulls members selected to be the mascot doesn't make us two bob, it makes us a community club which appreciates and values the support of all fans, including those from poorer backgrounds. The opportunity to be a mascot shouldn't be restricted to kids of well off parents. I was a mascot at Withdean once, it's something you can't describe. There's no chance I would have had that opportunity if the club wanted to charge for the honour. I think this is a big error in judgement, but it certainly isn't out of keeping with the type of business model Premier League clubs have.

Agree with that completely. Hope the club don't start charging for each league game, but I fear they are. Over the course of the season it's not even going to raise that much cash in the grand scheme of things is it? Just can't see why they would alienate a large group of kids who's parents can't or aren't willing to pay that kind of money. What use are match tickets to families who have ST's? So that 'freebie' is unlikely to continue into the league game package either.

 

[Acker79]

Third thought: Is this a test to see the popularity of paying for the mascot experience, to gauge if it's something to bring in for regular matches.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

I would be absolutely astounded if we don't charge for the right to be a mascot this season. I'm sure there are plenty of parents out there happy to pay for it, in fact I'm sure there are people out there who already couldn't believe you couldn't just pay for your kid to be a mascot. It's all money into the club at the end of the day, and that's the name of the game. I just find it sad.

 

[Hyperion]

Doesn't sound like such a bad deal and if the demand is there why shouldn't they charge that?

Hate to say it but we're not some two bob club anymore we have huge overheads to cover not to mention a 100 million pound stadium to pay for.

Sorry but it is a bloody disgrace.

If the money is going to Kuipers then he is plain greedy.

If its going to the club then it's hardly going to pay for anything is it.

Why not at least make the fee much smaller without the add ons and just give the cash to a small local charity where it would make a difference

 

[ManOnTheRun]

There must be some demand for these, despite the cost. I've just enquired about buying the package and all the spots are filled.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

Doesn't sound like such a bad deal and if the demand is there why shouldn't they charge that?

Hate to say it but we're not some two bob club anymore we have huge overheads to cover not to mention a 100 million pound stadium to pay for.

so a two bob club playing at an athletics track asking fans for £40 for loan signings can do it for free, yet a community club with 20000 STHs will charge enough to cover Vicentes wages for 3 minutes?

 

[Acker79]

When I was a match mascot I had to share the game with some kid who was somehow linked to the match sponsors. I was a little annoyed because all the league matches had only one mascot.

These days multiple mascots aren't so rare.

Perhaps it can be a mix: one young seagull mascot (free) plus one paid for mascot.

In my day, all mascots were selected before the start of the season and we would all go in on a day before the start of the season to complete forms (so they had info for the programme), collect our kits and pose in said kit for programme photos. If all the free mascots are selected pre-season, people will know they haven't been selected and that if the want the experience they have to pay.

 

[Ninja Elephant]

There must be some demand for these, despite the cost. I've just enquired about buying the package and all the spots are filled.

And unfortunately, I think that's the point. There will always be the demand, and the people able to pay. I honestly think we could sell out similarly priced packages for all the league games this season, probably end up having 11 mascots come out with the team. I just think it's a very sad reality.

 

[gripper stebson]

Doesn't sound like such a bad deal and if the demand is there why shouldn't they charge that?

Hate to say it but we're not some two bob club anymore we have huge overheads to cover not to mention a 100 million pound stadium to pay for.

Yep. £195 will pay CMS's wages for 18 minutes... yes 18 minutes!!! (based on 22k a week and 5, 7 hour days!)

That sum has made me feel a little uneasy... I guess we are a big club now.

 

[Hyperion]

Another point here, its okay for people that can afford it. Lots of Albion supports that can JUST manage a season tkt or the odd match day tkt have no chance to treat their kids if the club head in this direction.

Sorry but I think there are better and wiser opportunities out there than this available to the club. Bad decision in my opinion.

 

[hastings]

My first thought was how much of a good deal is this:

Two adult tickets = £30
Child ticket = £6
Replica junior shirt = £30 (+3 for long sleeves)
Replica junior shorts = £14
Replica junior socks = £9
Pie and Drink = £7 (I think, I've forgotten already)

Total £96 (or £110 if it's pie and drink each)


My second thought was
Possibly the worst value ever conceived......
Have a few quid to spare? Become a mascot at Palace

Unless I'm not being overly bright this afternoon, which of course is a possibility, is the total not £126. Again, i see this is a reasonable offer in todays climate.

 

[Dr. Notthenineo'clocknews]

And unfortunately, I think that's the point. There will always be the demand, and the people able to pay. I honestly think we could sell out similarly priced packages for all the league games this season, probably end up having 11 mascots come out with the team. I just think it's a very sad reality.

Indeed, what tends to worry me on here though is the way money is ALWAYS defended on here as the be all and end all, you could say "certain STHs have to drop their trousers and take it up the arse in West St for a tenner a pop" and you'll still have some on here that come out and say it's a good idea with the old chestnut how that money will "pay for a £100 stadium and still give us change to buy top flight players (and pay them)"

 

[NickBHAFC18]

I love Michel, I'm more than happy for him to make as much money out of this game as possible but charging for the right to be a mascot is something I completely disagree with, and the overly commercial future of the club in general is a bit off putting in my opinion. It's the price of success and ambition, if you want to be a big club, it's just what you have to do. Doesn't mean you have to like it, though.

This.

 

[Acker79]

Unless I'm not being overly bright this afternoon, which of course is a possibility, is the total not £126. Again, i see this is a reasonable offer in todays climate.

30 + 6 = 36, + 30 = 66, + 14 = 80, + 9 = 89, + 7 = 96

Perhaps the ticket price is confusing. It's a testimonial, and the two adult tickets are £15 each.

 

[Diego Napier]

What a lot of fuss about nothing.

It's a one-off and hopefully all the dosh will be going to FDM; if not presumably some of it.

If you don't want to pay £195 then don't, it really is that simple. I can't believe that there were droves of people desperate for their kid to be a mascot for this game and are now bitterly disappointed.

There is no suggestion that this will become the norm for league games. If it does then welcome to the reality of finally becoming a "bigger" club (along with other expenses such as far higher seat prices).

 

[Gullys Cats]

I was thinking about, it's worth it if you can afford it, its a sign they may introduce packages soon.

 

[DavePage]

18th March 2006, we travelled as a family of five to QPR with the junior seagulls.
Normally the mascot is chosen randomly from the kids on the coach and a free kit was supplied. Of course like everyone else on the coach we paid for the transport & ground entry. On this occasion the choice was already known to myself & the club.
My son & I were season ticket holders at the Withdean and this was to be our last game watching the Albion. Two days later we were emigrating to Canada.
I still remember Gary Hart messing with Hanley’s hair, Guy Butter’s pulling his shirt to drag him to the center circle and seeing him chat with Seb Carole his favorite player at that time, a fantastic experience for an 8 year old.
I know that our circumstances were not the norm, but we would have happily paid for the experience.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

Kuipers isn't going to be making £195 per mascot - the food, kit, tickets etc has to be paid for. He will only be getting nett receipts after what will be significant expenses.
I personally think this is a great deal for mascots and their families and I think the multiple mascot situation is more to do with kuipers than the albion.
As for charging or league and cup games, I don't think they will. They put a lot of store by gullys gang and team stripes. I would be surprised if they charge, although I can see them not offering their parents free tickets.
Away games traditionally picked a mascot from our junior's away coach and have always had to bring their own kit. I suspect they also have to pay for their own tickets since freebie reciprical arrangements for junior supporters clubs got knocked on the head.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

FDM has to make a little bit extra after the club announced the friendly against Chelsea which will dent ticket sales for his testimonial.

 

[Cadiz Seagull]

It was free when Commander was a mascot at the Goldstone aged 9.

And he got a pair of stripey shorts.