£300 to be a mascot

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:11 am

So we have a generalised statement regarding poverty but no actual examples of how much money is earned or given as against expenditure.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:21 am

Your ignorance is disgusting

Rick_Muller · Post by **Rick_Muller** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:26 am

lovebeingaclaret wrote:So really there is nothing to substantiate the claim that there are kids starving in Burnley.

UpTheBeehole wrote:http://www.lancsvitalsigns.co.uk/Burnley-r3.html

Please dont confuse poverty with starving children. Poverty in the UK is a million miles away from scenes we see on TV in third world countries where real poverty exists with starving children.

Low income families in the UK as defined below:

At the moment, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity, that's an income less than:

£248 a week for a couple with no children
£144 a week for a single person with no children
£401 a week for a couple with two children aged between five and 14
£297 a week for single parent with two children aged between five and 14

I can bet that most of these people would choose a mobile phone over eating properly, that doesn't mean they're starving it means that their life choices are more difficult than others. I have been in a position in the last 10 years where I have had ZERO income and nowhere to live - I was the very definition of someone in poverty. My family helped me with a roof over my head while I spent the time to get back on my feet. I went without so many things, and now I am in a much better place. Having nothing, financially, is the UK definition of poverty, but that does not equate to being starving - there will always be a food bank in the community to help, so what I am saying is, if there are people who are hungry in the UK, it is likely to be their poor life choices, not poverty causing it.

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:27 am

My ignorance is that claims are made that I am expected to believe without knowing the facts behind the claims. Are you saying that it is disgusting for me not to know these facts when no one seems to know them.
Have you got any facts cos if you haven't you are disgusting for accusing me of being disgusting when all I am asking for are facts.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:31 am

When money is tight eight-year-old Emma’s parents are forced to send their daughter to school, tummy rumbling, without any breakfast. In the evening, she fills up on plain pasta or reduced microwave meals – cheap food her parents can afford.

Emma says she often feels too tired to concentrate on her schoolwork.

The situation Emma lives with is the devastating reality faced by the 500,000 children across the UK who go to school hungry each day.

Eight million people in Britain – the world’s sixth largest economy – are living in food poverty, according to the United Nations (UN). And an estimated 870,000 children in England may be going to bed hungry each night because their parents are unable to provide the meals they need.

But not eating isn’t the only problem – access to nourishing and nutrient-filled food is simply out of reach for thousands of families living on the breadline, with far-reaching consequences for too many of Britain’s children.

Dr George Grimble, a medical scientist at University College London, said the situation was “disastrous” for developing children, resulting in malnourishment, obesity and squandered potential.

“When people are in poverty they are forced to buy the cheapest foods – filling but nutrient-lacking food,” Dr Grimble told The Independent. “Food poverty in the community overlays to a large extent on disease malnutrition.”

More than 60 per cent of paediatricians believe food insecurity contributed to the ill health among children they treat, according to a 2017 survey by the Royal College of Paediatricians and Child Health.

The harrowing hunger stats sit juxtaposed with the fact 100 million tons of food is wasted each year across the EU.

More than 400 million meals’ worth of edible food was sent to landfill in 2016 which could have been redistributed to feed hungry people across Britain, according to the Government’s waste advisory body, Wrap.

Which is why for this year’s Christmas campaign The Independent is partnering with The Felix Project to tackle the scourge of food poverty unnecessarily blighting the futures of too many of Britain’s schoolchildren.

The charity has been working since 2016 to redistribute surplus in-date produce, collected from more than 90 food retailers, to 100 frontline charities which need it most.

This year, The Felix Project expects to distribute one million meals.

Now, it will be channelling all funds raised by The Independent’s appeal to provide fresh and nutritious food for hungry children to access at primary schools.

Hilary Croft, CEO of The Felix Project, said: “We wanted to have a more direct impact on children as we know of the consequences of children going hungry.

“They lose an hour of learning time a day, they can’t concentrate, it’s just huge lost potential.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/helpahung ... 74366.html

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:33 am

"£248 a week for a couple with no children
£144 a week for a single person with no children
£401 a week for a couple with two children aged between five and 14
£297 a week for single parent with two children aged between five and 14"

Is that money tax and NI free?

Burnley Ace · Post by **Burnley Ace** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:36 am

There are say 25 home matches so how do you allocate the mascot role? Should it be a lottery, membership of “junior clarets” or it’s modern equivalent, first come first served, Parents claret points, clubs discretion or you pay?

Parents could save up, children could save up, family could all contribute in lieu of individual birthday presents. Some children will miss out but that has always been true.

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:38 am

UpTheBeehole wrote:https://www.independent.co.uk/helpahung ... 74366.html

Obviously I sympathise with Emma going to school hungry but how much income does Emma's mum and dad get that they can't afford eggs, weetabix, shredded wheat, beans etc. to send Emma to school on.

BOYSIE31 · Post by **BOYSIE31** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 10:43 am

I think they should be draw for every home game and a donation of their choice

LeuvenClaret · Post by **LeuvenClaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:17 am

Is there mileage in offering one mascot spot for free and this is given out on a draw basis, this draw could be done on the pitch at half time of home games.

I also look forward to the day when the clubs can offer cheap safe standing and English clubs catch up with German ones for atmosphere and keeping working classes engaged in their clubs.

LeuvenClaret · Post by **LeuvenClaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:18 am

BOYSIE31 wrote:I think they should be draw for every home game and a donation of their choice

You beat me to it.

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:23 am

Lancasterclaret wrote:I've got to be honest Macca, I only read Boysie post!

I fully apologise, and i'm joining in any way with this cliquey thing which you are clearly very worried about.

No problem Lancaster.

Not worried at all, the bigger the army needed to take down the single warrior, is only testament to the warrior.

I prefer to think ( well I don't half of the time ) for myself

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:35 am

I'm **** poor at this lark when I'm trying to multi task.

Apologies again

starting_11 · Post by **starting_11** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 11:52 am

Be sure to tell these kids at every game what bastards they are for having parents doing something nice for them.

Maybe chuck some objects at them and berate them that they're evil and responsible for hungry people.

That'll learn em!

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:02 pm

Why can't, as part of the deal, an agreement be put in place that if we are 3 or more goals up going into the last five minutes the mascot is allowed to come on?

Imagine their little faces.

Imagine if they scored!

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:05 pm

thatdberight wrote:BFC is welcome to run this whatever way they want. 3p, £300, £3million. Whatever they fancy. Because they know that the dewy-eyed faithful will still buy the "we're a community club" BS which they give away for free, regularly.

For the umpteenth time! It's organised by the Community Trust, not the football club.

mkmel · Post by **mkmel** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:15 pm

Many years ago my Son was mascot at away games at Luton Northampton Bristol Rovers and Tranmere.

As you can tell by the number of times he was a mascot it was easy back then to be a mascot

And there was no charge

Dyched · Post by **Dyched** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:22 pm

I find it disgusting what Chateau Marmont charge per night. I can only afford a week there. Any longer and Id have to starve to death. Disgusting.

thatdberight · Post by **thatdberight** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:31 pm

Leisure wrote:For the umpteenth time! It's organised by the Community Trust, not the football club.

For the first time, which is all I'll need because it's really very simple; if the club (who have the right to decide mascot issues) sub the rights and responsibilities to the Community Trust then they're either careless in not specifying how that's to be managed or knowingly involved.

Herts Clarets · Post by **Herts Clarets** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:33 pm

Yet another thread descends into petty bickering, with the usual protagonists to the fore.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:35 pm

Anyone got a comparison to mascot cost (that go to their clubs community trust) from similar clubs to ours?

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:37 pm

Herts Clarets wrote:Yet another thread descends into petty bickering, with the usual protagonists to the fore.

lovebeingaclaret really does drag this messagboard down, I agree.

There was no call whatsoever for his petty bickering with Macca and C&J

wilks_bfc · Post by **wilks_bfc** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:41 pm

Corky wrote:Is there a waiting list at £300, if so then the Club have got the price pitched at the right level. If there isn't then they haven't.

We'll find out on Monday when the phone lines open for reservations to be made.

Last year there were numerous posts on here stating that it was impossible to get through - I'm going to assume Monday will see the same again

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 12:54 pm

UpTheBeehole wrote:lovebeingaclaret really does drag this messagboard down, I agree.

There was no call whatsoever for his petty bickering with Macca and C&J

I'll just assume you have nothing to back up your claims.

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:03 pm

lovebeingaclaret wrote:I'll just assume you have nothing to back up your claims.

Just try speaking to some primary school teachers around the borough, see if they have experience of starving children.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:06 pm

BFC and BFC in the commmunity maybe different companies but let’s be honest it’s the same thing. They use the clubs facilities for free, borrow the players every week for school visits for free, and if the club wanted to give them 300 quid every other week to raise some cash it could easily do this on interest alone.

This isn’t about being value for money. It may well be worth the cost. I just think it’s sad that some kids will miss out on this due to money. Yes I missed out on a lot of other things my mates got growing up due to money, many kids miss out, however this is needless and it would be great if children, regardless of parents income could be mascots. There is no need for BFC to do this.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:09 pm

Inchy wrote:That’s what it now costs to be a mascot at a burnley game.

You do get a kit and 4 tickets thrown in but the chances are if you are a mascot you already have a kit and your parent has a ticket.

I very rarely bash the club. I think the season ticket prices are excellent and are realistic to suit the demographic of the area. However asking parents in Burnley to pay £300 where the average wage is well below the national average is wrong. There is a 40 quid option but you don’t get to meet the players before hand or train on the pitch. You just get to walk out with the players

I was mascot twice for burnley as a kid. Both away games, at Walsall and Southend. There is no way my dad who was a single parent could have afforded the 600 quid it would have cost for me and my brother to be mascots. It’s sad that kids will miss out on what is an amazing experience due to being priced out. It’s hardly going to make the club a decent profit.

It should be free to be a mascot

Good grief, two words spring-to mind..off and rip so please avoid.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:16 pm

Maybe a fairer way would be to do a lottery draw for every home match. 2 quid a ticket and the winner gets to be mascot.

Means everyone could afford it and BFc in the community could raise funds it so desperately needs

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:19 pm

Just to add on the poverty line

If a child is going hungry because their parent is spending money on a phone or tv that isn’t the child’s fault. The way some people speak on here makes me think children should be punished for poor parenting

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:27 pm

My grandson has been a mascot and his sister will I'm sure enjoy the same excitement.
It is afforded by having both sets of grandparents and relatives contributing as part of birthday or Christmas presents. As someone earlier suggested don't buy the kit.
I like the idea of a couple of places being made available for less well off children or children who have shown some exemplary service. I would not like the whole thing governed by lottery as chances for my kids would be low.

lovebeingaclaret · Post by **lovebeingaclaret** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:29 pm

Inchy wrote:Just to add on the poverty line

If a child is going hungry because their parent is spending money on a phone or tv that isn’t the child’s fault. The way some people speak on here makes me think children should be punished for poor parenting

Which would prove the theory that a proportion of benefits should be paid in food tokens

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:42 pm

lovebeingaclaret wrote:Which would prove the theory that a proportion of benefits should be paid in food tokens

Although I would consider myself left leaning I have never thought this is a bad idea.

Poor parenting often comes from poor parenting. I think schools should teach more life skills like managing a budget, learning about interest rates etc

Tall Paul · Post by **Tall Paul** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:42 pm

Inchy wrote:Maybe a fairer way would be to do a lottery draw for every home match. 2 quid a ticket and the winner gets to be mascot.

Means everyone could afford it and BFc in the community could raise funds it so desperately needs

You want to encourage children to gamble now?

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:47 pm

Tall Paul wrote:You want to encourage children to gamble now?

No don’t be silly

They should get a free ticket with every pack of Lambert and Butler they buy

WadingInDeeper · Post by **WadingInDeeper** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:50 pm

At £300, bearing in mind the kit and 4 tickets, it probably compares reasonably well (and likely cheaper) with a similar meet and greet ticket for concerts.

However, what I think would be better is a basic cost for mascot and 1 ticket, with an option to go up to £300 for up to 4 tickets.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:52 pm

£300? what ever people say that amount is ridiculous.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:53 pm

WadingInDeeper wrote:At £300, bearing in mind the kit and 4 tickets, it probably compares reasonably well (and likely cheaper) with a similar meet and greet ticket for concerts.

However, what I think would be better is a basic cost for mascot and 1 ticket, with an option to go up to £300 for up to 4 tickets.

I think that’s why it seems more of a rip off to me.

When I was a kid me and my brother used to get the Burnley kits for our birthday, and we all had a season ticket. I think most fans with kids are the same. They already have a kit and season ticket so don’t need another and don’t need 4 tickets.

Still think it should be free

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 1:55 pm

Inchy wrote:I think that’s why it seems more of a rip off to me.

When I was a kid me and my brother used to get the Burnley kits for our birthday, and we all had a season ticket. I think most fans with kids are the same. They already have a kit and season ticket so don’t need another and don’t need 4 tickets.

Still think it should be free

Absolutely.

Dy1geo · Post by **Dy1geo** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:14 pm

This is all about choices and how you allocate your own resources. There are people who put following Burnley home and away high up in their priority order which is fine as long as that decision is not to the detriment of other household members.

The fact that a child is not being fed is totally down to parenting, for the 38 weeks of the year a child from a low income family will receive a hot meal at school.

With regards the “mascoting” I find it it ironic that at a time when the club is at its richest they are charging £300 albeit through the trust when it was done by a draw of Junior Clarets members and was free when we were on the verge of administration.

Devils_Advocate · Post by **Devils_Advocate** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:21 pm

Inchy wrote:I think that’s why it seems more of a rip off to me.

When I was a kid me and my brother used to get the Burnley kits for our birthday, and we all had a season ticket. I think most fans with kids are the same. They already have a kit and season ticket so don’t need another and don’t need 4 tickets.

Still think it should be free

You make a good point but maybe a fans group could get Brian Jensen involved and get him selling the freebies like the kits through his ebay account. This could potentially get some of the £300 outlay back in the parents pockets

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 2:29 pm

That is the ironic thing

And before someone berates you for confusing Bfc and bfc in the community. It’s the same thing really

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:06 pm

Inchy wrote:That is the ironic thing

And before someone berates you for confusing Bfc and bfc in the community. It’s the same thing really

No it's not. BFC in the Community is a non-profitmaking registered charity which works to inspire, support and deliver change in the local communities on behalf of BFC.

This is what you get for the £300 -

VIP Mascot Package is £300 (incl. VAT)

The Package includes:

Full Burnley FC home kit for the 2018/19 season
Four tickets for the Burnley FC fixture the child is a Mascot for
Chance to meet the players and Manager in the dressing room (subject to the Manager’s permission)
Opportunity to walk out with a favourite player
Photo in the matchday programme
Burnley FC pennant to be signed by the players and Manager
Pre-match training session in the Elite Training Centre, Turf Moor
Official BFCitC photographs of the day

Impossible to put a value on the last 6 on that list.

For anyone interested in the details -

Burnley FC Mascot and Player Escort Packages will go on sale Monday 18th June at 10am via telephone only. The number to call is 01282 704716.
For each of Burnley FC’s Premier League home fixtures there will be four VIP Mascot Packages available and six Player Escort places available at the following prices:

VIP Mascot Package is £300 (incl. VAT)

Player Escort Package is £40 (incl. VAT)

The Package includes*:

Opportunity to walk out with a first team player
Pre-match training session in the Elite Training Centre

*It is the responsibility of the purchaser of this package to provide matchday tickets for the Player Escort and the accompanying parent / guardian, as well as the full Burnley FC 2018/19 HOME kit for the Player Escort. These are not included in the package price.

Packages are open to children aged 5 – 12 years of age and only one package per child can be secured for the season. All fixtures are subject to change and Burnley FC in the Community cannot be held responsible as a result of this.

How to book:

Packages will go live at 10am on Monday 18th June 2018 via telephone only. Bookings cannot be secured in any other way including via the Burnley FC in the Community website, emails, voicemail or social media messages. It is also not possible to secure a package in person and walk in requests will not be accepted.
Bookings can be secured by the parent, guardian or family member of the Mascot / Player Escort only. Attempts to book a package for a child by friends of the family will not be accepted.

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:14 pm

apart from £300?

Leisure · Post by **Leisure** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:17 pm

quoonbeatz wrote:apart from £300?

Cost and value are not the same thing!

thatdberight · Post by **thatdberight** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:20 pm

Leisure wrote:No it's not. BFC in the Community is a non-profitmaking registered charity which works to inspire, support and deliver change in the local communities on behalf of BFC.

So its aims are on behalf of BFC, its two first-listed trustees are directors of BFC and most of (I'd guess nearly all of) its funding comes either directly or in kind from BFC [e.g. mascot deals at upwards of £10k /annum] but it's some sort of arms-length corporate identity? Okay....

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:27 pm

So the BFC charity whose address is

Burnley FC in the Community, Turf Moor, Harry Potts Way, Burnley, Lancashire, BB10 4BX

Tel. 01282 704716

Email. community@burnleyfc.com

is not part of Burnley FC?

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:36 pm

Indecisive wrote:I think its widely acknowledged that the Community part of the club have done a huge amount of work over the past few years that has benefitted the town immensely.
.

Like what? I'm certainly not saying they haven't, I'm just not aware of their work.

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:36 pm

Leisure wrote:Cost and value are not the same thing!

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:41 pm

Spijed wrote:I'd imagine that if they made it free the waiting list would run into the hundreds!

How would they decide who got to become a mascot and who didn't?

I like the idea of setting up a deal with a local school, some sort of reward for a few of the kids who have worked hard and behaved.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Mon Jun 11, 2018 3:51 pm

KRBFC wrote:I like the idea of setting up a deal with a local school, some sort of reward for a few of the kids who have worked hard and behaved.

We'd quickly run out of mascots.