Why do footballers walk out with a child at the World Cup, and when did the mascot tradition start?
Players in both domestic and international football have got used to entering the pitch accompanied by child mascots
SOME traditions in football are newer than others.
And child mascots are a relatively new addition to the game both domestically and on the international stage, with players accompanied by kids as they take to the pitch.
Why do footballers walk out with a child?
WHETHER you're watching League Two games or matches at this summers World Cup, the players will almost certainly be accompanied by mascots.
For domestic clubs, these kids get the chance to meet their idols and typically will get a tour of the stadium and hospitality for the day.
They are likely to be from local schools and support the club, with some on lengthy waiting lists for their chance to walk out at the ground.
At this summer's World Cup, every player walking out will be accompanied by a child who is chosen through the McDonald's Player Escort Program.
Some others are competition winners, such as eight-year-old Alysia Singh from Huddersfield who led England out against Panama.
The schoolgirl won a competition run by Kia Motors UK and carried the ball out ahead of the Group G clash.
Whereas other mascots catch the eye for different reasons, with Twitter going mad after a 6ft tall lad appeared with officials before the Argentina vs France last-16 clash.
And 34-year-old Kevin Stuart made headlines around the world when his mates stitched him up for his stag do, arranging for him to lead out Blackpool in their League One fixture against Bradford last season.
When did the mascot tradition start?
THE first club to do this is up for debate, but the use of child mascots has been prevalent since the early 1990s.
But it wasn't until Euro 2000 that the tradition of having a child with every player at international tournaments took off.
Wayne Rooney is one famous footballer who was a mascot before rising to fame, the young Evertonian leading his side out in the 1996 Merseyside derby with Liverpool.
