FOOTBALL AND MASCOTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20229, 13 April 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOOTBALL AND MASCOTS.

SOCCER SUPERSTITIONS. .Nearly every footballer, says an English writer, lias some lit tlo foible. To break a lace when putting on a boot before a match, for instance, is very unlucky, but to put a boot on tho wrong foot/ by accident is considered a sign that tho team will emergo victorious. .Borrowing footbalf clot lies, and especially boots, are considered always to bring bad luck. Some years ago a member of a famous English League club borrowed a boot, anci almost immediately afterwards broke his leg 011 the field. At (ho next match another player broke his leg—and in the dressing-room they found lie was wearing 'i borrowed boot. That settled it, and after a directors' meeting the boots were solemnly burned. There is actually a simple explanation of the danger of borrowed boots. A player gets accustomed to kicking with a certain pair, and strange ones may easily result ii; a fall. 'i'ho prejudice against borrowed jerseys and shorts is more difficult to understand, and last season a Rugby team, who lost all their luggage won an overwhelming victory in borrowed clothes. The Spurs Soccer team has not been lucky in its mascots. Some years ago a small child, who dressed in the club colours accompanied the team everywhere. But when they visited Preston North End, for a Cup tie, the homo team produced a lucky wishbone, and the match proved that it was a more potent charm than its human rival. Live mascots are fairly common among football teams, but they can cause many awkward moments. Barrow Football Club, for instance, once kept a pony and rider, which were present at every match. When th club travelled to " away " matches a special horse-van had to bo attached to the train for the benefit of the mascots. Cardiff City at one time kept a parrot, but Bromley, tho Kent amateur team, probably have tho most sensible mascot Til a clog that can give any centro-for-ward a lesson in heading the ball. Gaolkeepers carry charms ranging from tho favourite rabbit's paw to a tennis ball. Ono famous International, who retired recently always entertained tho crowd before iho match by his manoeuvres with his cap in tho back of tho goal. Mono of tTie spectators knew exactly what he concealed under bis cap, but his friends had seen a watch that had been handed down from father to son tor generations.