LearnEnglish would like to thank Suzi Raymond, Education Manager, Chelsea FC, for providing these materials.
A mascot is something—typically an animal or human character—used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team (the name often corresponds with the mascot), society or corporation.
The word was first popularized in 1880, when French composer Edmond Audran wrote a popular comic operetta called "La Mascotte". The operetta was so popular that it was translated into English as "The Mascot", creating an English word for an animal, person, or an object which brings good luck.
Source: Wikipedia
You are going to listen to an interview with Stamford the Lion, who is the mascot of Chelsea football club. Before you listen, do an activity in which you match the questions the interviewer asks to the answers that Stamford gives.
Download the mp3 file or else listen on your PC.
For information on downloading and listening on your PC see the left-hand column.
You can also see/print the audioscript of the interview (pdf doc)
Do an activity in which you answer questions about the interview
Kelly and Raj, two teenagers who are pupils in schools near to Stamford Bridge chat informally about some of the issues raised in the interview.
Kelly: I can’t believe that Stamford gets boo-ed by the crowd sometimes and that kids even punch and kick him…I mean ‘her’…
Raj: Well personally, I’m not too surprised as there is a lot of rivalry in football and the mascot is a symbol of the Club, however I don’t think this happens very often.
Kelly: Neither do I. I was completely amazed to hear that there is actually a young woman inside the costume, were you?
Raj: Well of course I knew that there was somebody inside the costume, but I did also assume that it was a big strong man.
Kelly: I suppose that sometimes it is easy to jump to conclusions, when actually underneath that big furry costume…
Raj: Yes sometimes we think we know everything there is to know about something but then we realise that there is more to discover.
Kelly: I wonder what it feels like to be a mascot and go out onto the pitch in front of thousands of people?
Raj: I think it must be electrifying! I’m sure Tash is passionate about it and also very good at it!
Kelly: I imagine it would be quite terrifying, but she has been Stamford for 8 years and she also said that she would like to be Stamford forever!
Raj: I’m pretty sure that it must be fantastic job…Not everyone will agree, but I’m really quite keen on football
Kelly: Yes so am I! In fact I love it, I think it’s great!
Now answer some questions about Kelly and Raj's conversation.
Mascot for the Day: Imagine that you have been working in the have a summer job in the Megastore and your boss asks you to dress up as a Club Mascot. Write a letter to your friend:
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Say what the costume looked like |
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Describe how you felt |
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Say what you did and what happened (did you decide to put the costume on or not?) |
Write 50-100 words and send us your text
Dear Monica,
Hello. I hope you are fine. I am just writing to tell you what happened last Friday. My boss asked me to dress up as a Football Club America mascot. You know it, the eagle. I did not like the idea, but I was afraid what would happen if I did not accept. I think he asked me to do it because he wants me to give up. The most probably thing is that II will not accept it, but I am not sure yet. Well, I am going to tell you tomorrow what happened.
Always yours. (he he he he)
Eric Ramirez Rodriguez
Stamford The Lion
He’s an African legend from far off lands
Prowling and growling right in front of those stands
A dual personality that only gets shown
When Chelsea the champions are playing at home
Looks quite fierce but he’s really quite humble
He’s very well-read for a king of the jungle
Stays out of sight ‘til you get to matchday
No one in security stands in his way
The rest of the time he’s just swanning around
Access all areas at the football ground
Don’t need no wristband don’t need no pass
Try keeping Stamford off that grass
Purrs for the cameras makes the kids smile
‘Biggest’ club player by many a mile
Gotta be the oldest club celebrity
‘Stamfy’ runs the Bridge ‘territorially’
Nice to the visitors North and South
Told me once he has to look through his mouth
Had a few run-ins as lions can do
Him and that cockrel got a story or two!
He never bangs on about the way that it was
He once had a part in the Wizard of Oz
He’s Fulham Road’s finest but his shirt needs an iron
He ain’t just a mascot he’s Stamford The Lion!
Crispin Thomas (March 06)
sports-mascots.co.uk: mascots from the UK and around the world
www.chelseafc.com: read more about education activities
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