Bamber Bridge kitman James Knell had a bank holiday weekend to remember as he represented the Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division side in the Epsom Downs Mascot Race.
Knell, 22, was part of a large field that also included fellow non-League hopefuls Horsham and Leatherhead as well as the likes of AFC Wimbledon’s Haydon the Womble.
Knell finished 10th dressed as The Brig Cat, a drop from his previous second-place finish, but Brig’s kitman admitted it was the taking part that counted most.
“I’ve been doing it for three years,” explained Knell. “The mascot who organises it is AFC Wimbledon’s mascot and a few years ago he messaged me on Twitter asking if I would like to come down.
“The first time I finished second after a photo finish and this year I came about 10th. I went down to watch Wimbledon versus Forest Green on the Saturday, went into London on Sunday and then went to the races on Monday.
“The first two times I faded towards the end. This year I planned to do a bit of training but got ill a few weeks before so that was cancelled.”
Knell’s role as mascot is just one of many roles he holds at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium after first being taken to matches by his grandad.
The 22-year-old has also volunteered as the club’s PA announcer and a steward before taking the reins in the kit room last season.
And Knell explained how his love of the club and the vital role volunteers play in non-League is what drives the many hours he devotes to his roles each week.
“I started to help sell programmes and do the cark park and a bit of stewarding,” he added.
“We had a game against Chorley in 2017 and that’s when I first became the mascot and just fell in love with it.
“Then just after Covid I became the stadium announcer and I have never looked back. Last year I was asked to be kitman so now that’s what I spend the majority of my evenings doing; sorting the kit and getting everything organised for the weekend.
“It is a bit of escapism. I have got traits of autism and ADHD and I work in the NHS, so it’s just something I can enjoy.
“The club doesn’t have much money, not many non-League clubs do. The club doesn’t pay people really. You still get to go to the game for free and watch the game but still help out and keep the club running.
“I am not going to be a footballer and I never will be, so this is something I can do on the side to help my local club.
“EFL and Premier League clubs are so expensive these days. It’s a great atmosphere, everyone knows each other and gets on so well and you are still seeing great attacking football.”
Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here