The 2004 Totesport Mascot Grand National ended with a Northamptonshire non league outfit taking the first place, finally dislodging Chaddy The Owl from his two year winning streak.

The big news as far as The Imps were concerned was the high placing of our very own Poacher The Imp, coming a creditable 12^th, and a massive 42 places higher than last years 54^th place finish!

Poacher ran a good race after getting off to a relatively slow start, and found himself embroiled in a scrap with Cambridge Utds Marvin The Moose. Eventually Poacher managed to shake off his adversary and snatch his top 12 finish, narrowly being beaten by Finedon Volta other runner Eddles the Chicken!

The day started with Chaddy as hot favourite, followed by ‘home’ mascot Peter Burrow. Poacher came in as a 40-1 slot. However in the paddock Poacher looked in fine form dancing away to the new mascot theme tune.

Other mascots however became embroiled in controversy as often happens at the pinnacle of a mascot season. Sheff Utd’s Captain Blade was shadowing his opponent Chaddy the Owl following their battle last year. Bladie could have prevented Chaddy coming first last time round, but became distracted by the streaker. His attempts to unsettle the reigning champion consisted of shadowing his every move. It has even been reported that Chaddy was spotted leaving a mascot convenience closely trailed by the Captain!

As usual the battle for last place proved to be more interesting. Billy Brewer of Burton Albion certainly believed he had finished last on the day but appears to have been pipped in the official standings by Elvis J Eel of Southend. Last years loser Deepdale Duck of Preston North End managed a one place improvement!

The day was rounded off by the release of Rick Minters superb book ‘Mascots: Footballs Furry Friends’. The publication features many of the mascots competing, and is viewed by many as acknowledgement of the mascots important contribution to the football scene (copies available by contacting ecos@easynet.com).

The Final Standings

1. Graham the Gorilla Ð Finedon Volta FC
2. Chaddy the Owl Ð Oldham Athletic FC
3. Foxy Ð Kularoos Raiders Plymouth
4. Spytty the Dog Ð Newport County AFC
5. Peter Burrow Ð Peterborough United
6. Sammy the Stag Ð Mansfield Town FC
7. Sammy the Shrimp Ð Southend United FC
8. Terry the Terrier Ð Huddersfield Town AFC
9. RockinÕ Robin Ð Swindon Town FC
10. Sky Blue Sam Ð Coventry City FC
11. Eddles the Chicken Ð Finedon Volta FC
12. Poacher the Imp Ð Lincoln City FC
13. Marvin the Moose Ð Cambridge United FC
14. Eddie the Eagle Ð Essex County Cricket Club
15. Spike the Road Safety Hedgehog Ð Cambridgeshire County Council
16. Tippus Tailus Ð Tailus Industries
17. Moonchester Ð Man City FC
18. Whaddney the Robin Ð Cheltenham Town FC
19. Hungry Horse Ð Hungry Horse
20. Monty the Lamb Ð Hendon FC
21. Pee Tee Ð Partick Thistle Junior Jags
22. Wolfie Ð Wolverhampton Wanderers
23. Blondie Dog Ð Davids Animal Feeds
24. Pilgrim Pete Ð Plymouth FC
25. Jude the Cat Ð Queens Park Rangers FC
26. Mr Magpie Ð Notts County
27. Paddy the Guide Dog Ð Guide Dogs for the Blind
28. Billy Bantam Ð Bradford City FC
29. Superhound Ð Peterborough Grey Hound Stadium
30. KC Kat Ð Woking FC
31. Brewster the Bear Ð Brewsters Restaurants
32. Terry Bytes Ð Fulham FC
33. Captain Blade Ð Sheffield United FC
34. Riot Bunny Ð Tailus Industries
35. Scunny Bunny Ð Scunthorpe United
36. Dusty Miller Ð Rotherham United
37. Doo Wap Ð Doo Wap
38. Alice the Eagle Ð Crystal Palace
39. Gunnersaurus Rex Ð Arsenal
40. Clarence the Dragon Ð Northampton Town FC
41. Yorkie the Lion Ð York City FC
42. Chester the Bear Ð Chesnut Tree House ChildrenÕs Hospice
43. May Gurney Busy Bee Ð May Gurney
44. Theo the Wyvern Ð Leyton Orient
45. Hugo the Hound Ð Huntingdon Racecourse
46. Mavis the Sun Donkey Ð The Sun
47. Freddy the Fox Ð Halifax Town
48. City Gent Ð Bradford City
49. Benny Buck Ð AFC Telford
50. Captain Canary Ð Norwich City
51. Che Rabbit Ð Che Magazine
52. Mrs Magpie Ð Notts County
53. Billy Brewer Ð Burton Albion FC
54. Deepdale Duck Ð Preston North End
55. Elvis J Eel Ð Southend United
    
    
    

    Poacher makes his way down the one furlong (1/8th mile) course

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

Poacher with bitter rivals Chaddy and Captian Blade

Eventual winner Graham the Gorilla with Poacher and an 11th placed chicken