Lucky charms: a wacky retrospective of mascots in Wigan

Mascots: those sometimes cuddly, sometimes weird and sometimes downright scary characters that represent sports teams and organisations either to give them a child-friendly face or act as chief cheerleader. There have certainly been quite a few to grace Wigan over the years, both as local stars and visitors.

By Charles Graham

Published 7th Mar 2024, 04:55 GMT

Here’s a wacky picture collection featuring some of them. Sadly we’ve been unable to trace any images of particularly strange and rather creepy tree-like Wigan eco-mascot from the 1990s called Brush Sweep.

1. Wigan mascots

. Photo: STAFF

2. Wigan Infirmary Upper Johnson Ward patients, Taylor Bowe, Charlotte Clyne and Hannah Smith, with Sister Elaine Hibbs enjoy the company of Hal from Rock FM Help a Local Child and Edwards Pie Man when they visited the hospital to raise money for the refurbishment of the play room in the ward

. Photo: FRANK ORRELL

3. Fire brigade mascot Welephant on a visit to Wigan in 1988

. Photo: Gary Brunskill

4. Dementia Awareness Day at Garswood House, Wentworth Road, Ashton: Resident Mary Ratcliffe and Leigh Centurions mascot Arty enjoy the tea party

. Photo: Nick Fairhurst