Four top football club mascots are facing a weighty challenge to prove their match fitness to League Cup sponsors Capital One, after arriving for an advertising video shoot showing the side effects of an over-indulgent Christmas period.
Despite a hectic Christmas schedule that saw the mascots of semi-finalists Chelsea, Swansea City, Aston Villa and Bradford City run out no fewer than 12 times over the festive football spell, the League Cup sponsors Capital One were alarmed to see the mascots looking even cuddlier than normal, just two months away from the showpiece Capital One Cup Final on February 24th.
Cyril the Swan (Swansea City), Hercules the Lion (Aston Villa), Stamford the Lion (Chelsea) and Billy the Bantam (Bradford City) have all shot to fame as the stars of a series of football video challenges from Capital One. But now the likes of Cyril the Swan is getting himself in a flap, after being asked to lose the festive flab in line with his new higher profile.
The mascots are facing a rigorous training regime after being teamed up with personal trainer to the stars Charlotte Ord, who has taken on the task ahead of this week’s Capital One Cup Semi Finals. The larger than life characters have been given strict instructions to watch their food intake, as well as perfecting a number of fitness exercises including practice lifts of the Capital One Cup trophy.
The mascots are also keeping themselves fit by taking part in a number of video challenges on behalf of competition sponsors Capital One, pitting themselves against one another to settle football fan debate.
Charlotte Ord, ‘Personal Trainer of the Year 2012’ said: “January is a time of year when people feel a bit sluggish after a heavy Christmas, and unfortunately our club mascots are no different. I’ve created a plan that will ensure the finalists are flying down Wembley Way next month for the Capital One Cup Final.”
Michael Woodburn, Chief Marketing Officer at Capital One, said: “Now the club mascots are big video stars, we need to make sure that they are fit and healthy for the job at hand. With their clubs also standing just two games from Wembley in the Capital One Cup Final, one of these will be able to get their hands on the trophy for real come February.”
To view the Mascot Challenge videos and join the debate go to www.facebook.com/CapitalOneUK
