Interview with Lofty
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Eirik skrifaðiþann 7. september 2008 kl. 06:05
Interview with Lofty the Lion.
Tittis: Is it a big secret who is inside Lofty the Lion?
Lofty: Yes!
Tittis: I have some inside informasjon about who you are, and I have a picture of you without the costume. Should I keep this picture for my self or am I alowed to put it in the norwegian magazine?
Lofty: I think you should keep it to yourself.I just dont think it would be right showing a photo of a naked lion.
Tittis: Is it always you? I mean.. always the same person inside Lofty?
Lofty: Yes.. Lofty hasnt changed. Sorry, my mane has grown.. Ha Ha..
Tittis: Are you a Bolton-lad? A Boltonsupporter? Do you get to see anything of the games when you have that outfit on?
Lofty: If I didn't support BWFC I wouldn't be able to do my job with the passion it needs. Outfit? I assume you mean my football strip.It does not stop me from seeing the match.
It would not go down to well with the BWFC-fans if I was to celebrate if the opposition scored.
Tittis: Whats the name of your possition at the Reebok?
Lofty: Lofty the Lion Official Club Mascot
Tittis: Do you do other things for Bolton Wanderers than being Lofty under the games?
Lofty: No, it's my full time possition. It's not just games I do. I appear at schools, hospitals, weddings, birthdays and many charity functions. Just to mention a few.
Tittis: For how long have you had this job?
Lofty: My birthday is 09.09.95, so this september I will have been roaring at the oppositin for 13 years.
Tittis: What is the actual meaning of the name Lofty?
Lofty: I was named after our Club President Nat Lofthouse. When England played Austria in Vienna. Nat scored the winning goal and the Austian F.A dubbed him "The Lion of Vienna",
hence Lofty the Lion.
Tittis: It looks to be very hot inside that costume. Is it?
Lofty: Conditions are different every time i put my BWFC-kit on.
Tittis: Is the head heavy?
Lofty: Can't say I have weighed my individual bodyparts.
Tittis: How is it to walk in those big shoes? Took a lot of practise?
Lofty: No problem. They are made to measure. My feet ARE really that big.
Tittis: We all know that you are the best, but who do you think is the worst mascot in the premier league?
Lofty: It would not be proffesional of me to name a worst mascot. But I can tell you my best friends are "Moonchester & Moonbeam" from Manchester City FC. And "Fred the Red" from (sorry) Manchester United.
Tittis: Who is your favourite player at Bolton Wanderers?
Lofty: All of them!!
Tittis: Can you tell us how a normal day at work is for Lofty the Lion?
Lofty: Monday to Friday I go to schools with our football in the community team. Also various promotion events. Saturday/sunday if we have no homegame, I will be at the Reebok
attending Junior Whites birthsdays parties..
Tittis: I remember one game the referee stoped the game and sent you off to change your clothes.Please tell us that story...
Lofty: After the kickoff I go back to my changing-room and change into my awayshirt to the approval of the officials.Wait for it. This is so I dont clash with the players, as the officials don't look at the players.
They look at the shirt.The game that you mention was against Norwich City.
There was about 5-10 minutes to go before half time and Norwich were behind.
Then the right back for Norwich were getting confused. He thought I was one of the players(?). A complaint was made and the fourth official informed my boss. I am sorry to say but, the referee did not stop the game
nor sent me off. My boss came round to tell me. So when I came out for the second half I had different shorts and odd socks on.
The media, TV, radio and papers had a field day taking the mickey out of Norwich by saying "It's easy to mistake a 6ft 4in lion with a player".
Tittis: . Do you have any other good stories that has happend to Lofty?
Lofty: Stories.. Enough to write a book!! Now that's a good idea!
But I will tell you about some great things I have done:
I was asked by the mayor of Bolton to put an event on for his charity.
The event was "Mascot Mania!" It was staged at the Reebok Stadium. I can't remember how many mascots turned up, but they came from all over Great Britain.
It was entered into Guiness Book of world records, for most mascots at a venvew at the same time.
I was voted Bolton (mane) man of the year. In 2002 I ran a leg with the common wealth baton. 2004 I became the first mascot to walk thru the Grand Canyon (90 miles).
Also I was the first mascot to release a record "Let's rock this town" by Lofty the Lion and the pitchinvation.
Tittis: You have met some of us norwegians a few times.. Remember? Here is your chance to send your greatings to the norwegian Boltonfans.
Lofty:Yes, I do remember the norwegian fans having photos taken pitchside. Tittis, there is a bit of me in Norway.My eldest offspring lives in Drammen.
Hope to see you all soon.
Best wishes
Lofty the Lion
Tittis: Is it a big secret who is inside Lofty the Lion?
Lofty: Yes!
Tittis: I have some inside informasjon about who you are, and I have a picture of you without the costume. Should I keep this picture for my self or am I alowed to put it in the norwegian magazine?
Lofty: I think you should keep it to yourself.I just dont think it would be right showing a photo of a naked lion.
Tittis: Is it always you? I mean.. always the same person inside Lofty?
Lofty: Yes.. Lofty hasnt changed. Sorry, my mane has grown.. Ha Ha..
Tittis: Are you a Bolton-lad? A Boltonsupporter? Do you get to see anything of the games when you have that outfit on?
Lofty: If I didn't support BWFC I wouldn't be able to do my job with the passion it needs. Outfit? I assume you mean my football strip.It does not stop me from seeing the match.
It would not go down to well with the BWFC-fans if I was to celebrate if the opposition scored.
Tittis: Whats the name of your possition at the Reebok?
Lofty: Lofty the Lion Official Club Mascot
Tittis: Do you do other things for Bolton Wanderers than being Lofty under the games?
Lofty: No, it's my full time possition. It's not just games I do. I appear at schools, hospitals, weddings, birthdays and many charity functions. Just to mention a few.
Tittis: For how long have you had this job?
Lofty: My birthday is 09.09.95, so this september I will have been roaring at the oppositin for 13 years.
Tittis: What is the actual meaning of the name Lofty?
Lofty: I was named after our Club President Nat Lofthouse. When England played Austria in Vienna. Nat scored the winning goal and the Austian F.A dubbed him "The Lion of Vienna",
hence Lofty the Lion.
Tittis: It looks to be very hot inside that costume. Is it?
Lofty: Conditions are different every time i put my BWFC-kit on.
Tittis: Is the head heavy?
Lofty: Can't say I have weighed my individual bodyparts.
Tittis: How is it to walk in those big shoes? Took a lot of practise?
Lofty: No problem. They are made to measure. My feet ARE really that big.
Tittis: We all know that you are the best, but who do you think is the worst mascot in the premier league?
Lofty: It would not be proffesional of me to name a worst mascot. But I can tell you my best friends are "Moonchester & Moonbeam" from Manchester City FC. And "Fred the Red" from (sorry) Manchester United.
Tittis: Who is your favourite player at Bolton Wanderers?
Lofty: All of them!!
Tittis: Can you tell us how a normal day at work is for Lofty the Lion?
Lofty: Monday to Friday I go to schools with our football in the community team. Also various promotion events. Saturday/sunday if we have no homegame, I will be at the Reebok
attending Junior Whites birthsdays parties..
Tittis: I remember one game the referee stoped the game and sent you off to change your clothes.Please tell us that story...
Lofty: After the kickoff I go back to my changing-room and change into my awayshirt to the approval of the officials.Wait for it. This is so I dont clash with the players, as the officials don't look at the players.
They look at the shirt.The game that you mention was against Norwich City.
There was about 5-10 minutes to go before half time and Norwich were behind.
Then the right back for Norwich were getting confused. He thought I was one of the players(?). A complaint was made and the fourth official informed my boss. I am sorry to say but, the referee did not stop the game
nor sent me off. My boss came round to tell me. So when I came out for the second half I had different shorts and odd socks on.
The media, TV, radio and papers had a field day taking the mickey out of Norwich by saying "It's easy to mistake a 6ft 4in lion with a player".
Tittis: . Do you have any other good stories that has happend to Lofty?
Lofty: Stories.. Enough to write a book!! Now that's a good idea!
But I will tell you about some great things I have done:
I was asked by the mayor of Bolton to put an event on for his charity.
The event was "Mascot Mania!" It was staged at the Reebok Stadium. I can't remember how many mascots turned up, but they came from all over Great Britain.
It was entered into Guiness Book of world records, for most mascots at a venvew at the same time.
I was voted Bolton (mane) man of the year. In 2002 I ran a leg with the common wealth baton. 2004 I became the first mascot to walk thru the Grand Canyon (90 miles).
Also I was the first mascot to release a record "Let's rock this town" by Lofty the Lion and the pitchinvation.
Tittis: You have met some of us norwegians a few times.. Remember? Here is your chance to send your greatings to the norwegian Boltonfans.
Lofty:Yes, I do remember the norwegian fans having photos taken pitchside. Tittis, there is a bit of me in Norway.My eldest offspring lives in Drammen.
Hope to see you all soon.
Best wishes
Lofty the Lion