A fairy tale of two halves

It’s two days before the FA Cup final and this has landed on our desk – the second in a series of collaborative publications from consultancy Fivefootsix.

Each magazine, in printed series 56+1, pits the Fivefootsix designers with an artist, writer or photographer.  

This time they’ve brought a project by photographer Gemma Mount to bear for a magazine called A Fairy Tale of Two Halves.

Mount has brought herself to the likes of Boro Bear of Stevenage FC as she looks to unmask the anonymous men and women behind the doe-eyed mascots which parade touchlines across the football league.

It’s a timely reminder of the ‘strength of the underdog’ in the competition we are told by Fivefootsix designer  Sue Hornsby.

Enclosed are confessions from these clandestine and unknown individuals.  Brothers Craig and Paul who both share the suit of Chester FC’s Chester The Field Mouse reveal that Paul’s wife only found out he dresses as a mouse every Saturday, after they were married.

Elsewhere Simon, whose alter ego is Preston North End’s Deepdale Duck says, ‘I got a call from the chairman saying, “We’ve been looking for someone who could be a little bit stupid to be the mascot and your name cropped up.”’ He’s been doing the job for 16 years.

The study Football Mascots makes up a broader series of enthusiasts shot within their home or working environments.  Next for Mount is a study of hot rod motoring enthusiasts.

Conceptualised and designed by Fivefootsix it is available from their website www.fivefootsix.co.uk for £3.00