By 16/3/04
March 16 2004

Team England have many people looking after them on match days but none more so than England's Driver Chris and England's Mascot Mr.England (Pete.)

England's Coach Driver Chris    &    England's Mascot Mr. England Pete

Now then, not a match goes by without two very important people looking after the England players interests.  There are other people who look after the team of course but Chris the England Coach Driver and Mr. England Pete are more high profile on match day.

 

Chris is the nicest man you would care to meet, very patient and his attention to detail allow the team to relax on the way to the ground knowing that they are in safe hands.  When I think of Chris, my memory recalls the victory parade day the 8th December, when he drove the players to the palace to meet our Queen.  I asked him what it was like driving into the palace and quite like the thing - he just said "no problem".

 

 

On match days at Twickenham HQ he brings the players all the way up through the West Car Park Drive with the Police outriders in front of him and swings the bus to the front of the main entrance with such precision especially with so many fans pressing around the coach.  Then out he gests luggage doors open and helps the players find their kit. 

 

England's Mascot - Mr. England (Pete), is also always at the entrance waiting for the England team to arrive, in fact he waits for the opposition and welcomes them also.  

Mr. England Pete is not sponsored by anyone and he pays for all this travelling himself.  He devotes a great deal of his own personal time to the England Rugby Cause!  He has been lucky enough to be present at some very special moments, not least the Rugby World Cup however, none of the teams mascots were allowed onto the pitch during that event.  I did see him once in the crowd celebrating - all kitted out in his England St. George's Flag Hat and Coat and at that moment I felt Team England finally had their usual support with them.   Nobody could fault the fans out in Australia on that momentous day but seeing Mr. England Pete just made it for me.   

   

Many of you will remember the Baa Baas game in December and again those wonderful scenes and Mr. England Pete walking around Twickenham stadium with the players and all the ticker tape falling around them - yes some very sweet memories.  Mr. England represents you and I, at all costs to himself!

Thank you Pete!

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