Baxter the Bridie is loving life as a jet-setting Loon and is already mixing it with football royalty.
The new Forfar Athletic signing was only officially unveiled a few days ago after a children’s competition to name the latest addition to the growing ranks of Scottish club mascots.
Whilst a bridie was the obvious choice of mascot for the Station Park side, the name game gave youngsters something to get their teeth into and Kirriemuir nine-year-old Ross Milne’s offering of Baxter fitted the bill in the eyes of judges from local bridie producers Saddlers and McLaren & Son – as well as having historical resonance as the Anglo Saxon name for a baker.
Super-size Baxter is set to quickly become a fans’ favourite as the new campaign gets underway, but mini bridie dolls which were a sell-out hit at the launch event and will be re-stocked on the shelves of the new club shop are already enjoying some exclusive company.
Baxter has been given his own facebook page and has already encountered Kenny Dalglish after Station Park season ticket holder Aisling FitzGerald of Kirriemuir Dental Practice introduced the quirky wee character to the Scottish football legend.
Loons merchandise team member Louise Taylor also managed to take her wee Baxter through the doors of the All England tennis club during the biggest fortnight in world tennis.
“He enjoyed his trip to Wimbledon but didn’t manage to get any celebrity selfies with Murray, Djokovic, Federer or Serena Williams on centre court,” quipped Louise.
Alongside SW19 Baxter there has already been a Welsh Baxter and – closer to home – the mini mascot made the hike up the scenic Cairn O’ Mount on the border between Angus and Aberdeenshire.
At the Station Park naming ceremony, Forfar secretary David McGregor said the reaction to the bridie mascot had been huge and the club is hopeful the early enthusiasm for the new name will carry into the new season proper.
Louise added: “The reaction has been brilliant and we’re hoping Baxter will have his photo taken all over the world.”
