MASCOT MANIA: Is Myrtle the Turtle the cutest North Wales football mascot around?
When it comes to being the cutest club mascot around, Myrtle the Turtle at Colwyn Bay FC, is right up there with the best.
The lovable charmer makes faces light up wherever she goes and her appearances at the Blue Turtle Arena are nearly as popular as the team.
Myrtle can certainly claim to be a lucky omen too, as since her arrival, Bay have made a pretty good start to their second spell in the Cymru Premier League.
Club mascots are not unique in North Wales football, but it would certainly be nice to see more of them.
Here’s a few we’ve met……..
DEWI THE DRAGON (Kinmel Bay FC)
Big-hearted Chris Evans is the genius behind Dewi, whose breathing fire inspires the players at Y Morfa.
Dewi makes appearances at big games and helps liven up fundraising events organised by the North Wales Coast East Premier Division club.
SILKY THE SILKWORM (Flint Town United)
This cuddly character made a debut at the Essity Stadium in March 2019 and soon won everyone over.
Unfortunately, Silky went back underground for a while, even travelling to a faraway land to coach football, but is now back much nearer to their spiritual home.
Is there a comeback on the cards? We can only hope so.
CECIL THE CROCODILE (Holywell Town)
Restricts his appearances mainly to cup finals, but always ends up the winner!
Cecil’s history goes back to 2015, when he debuted at the FAW Trophy Final in Llandudno between Holywell Town and Penrhyndeudraeth.
Having floated among the crowd all afternoon, he entered the pitch in the second half and became the first reptile to be red-carded in a football match when referee Nick Pratt carried him off the field.
Thankfully, Cecil was not deflated and joined in the team’s after-match celebrations after they won the Trophy 4-2 as part of a treble.
Legend has it Cecil was born in a Llandudno pound shop on a sunny April day and taken to the cup final the same afternoon. He has since made several TV appearances, including in Benidorm and Coronation Street during a pub quiz at the Rovers Return.
This year marks his 10th birthday, but should he even be in this feature?
A mascot is generally a human in fancy dress, but there is no human involved with Cecil, he’s a real croc.
THE BANGOR AYE
A Farrar Road phenomenon who was a regular face during the latter days of the grand old stadium’s existence.
Tried to sabotage Asda building on the hallowed turf, but was foiled by the council. Had he succeeded that would have been one in the eye for capitalism!
Great concept, especially working the popular local phrase ‘Bangor Aye’ into a mascot with a distinctive Eye.
BIGGEST LOSER – SPOT THE DOG (TNS)
💩💩💩
A real pest everywhere it appeared.
Especially annoying in 2010-11, when at the title decider between Bangor City and TNS, the clown grabbed the league trophy off its stand before the game and started parading it.
That one certainly backfired, as Bangor won the game and the league and poor Spot was left looking like a right idiot – well deserved too.