Controversial Partick Thistle mascot Kingsley goes viral - and proves a hit with the kids

30 June 2015 21:46

It’s a shade of yellow that makes your eyes hurt and has eyebrows that can only be described as menacing.

But new club mascot Kingsley was anything but scary as Partick Thistle unveiled their new home strip today.

The spiky yellow character was launched last week and quickly made an impression with football fans everywhere.

The Ladbrokes Premiership club said Kingsley – designed by 2013 Turner Prize nominee David Shrigley – had grabbed headlines across the globe for his angry demeanour but is really a “friendly guy”.

Partick Thistle mascot Kingsley who was designed by Turner Prize nominated artist and David Shrigley, in George Square, Glasgow
(Danny Lawson/PA)

Partick Thistle spokesman George Francis spoke about the mascot at the new strip launch in George Square in Glasgow, where Kingsley was swarmed by young fans.

He said: “I’ve got to know Kingsley really well over the last week and I can assure everybody that he is misunderstood and not really as scary as he looks. He’s a friendly guy.

“The response to him has been incredible – we’ve had emails from CNN and Time magazine, we’ve been on websites in Australia and New Zealand, and somebody brought into the office the other day a newspaper from Cyprus with a story about Kingsley.

“We could never have predicted the extent to which it has gone global.”

Partick Thistle launch their 2015/16 home kit with their Mascot Kingsley who was designed by Turner Prize nominated artist and David Shrigley, in George Square, Glasgow
(Danny Lawson/PA)

What do the kids think?

Young fans of Partick – nicknamed the Jags – at the launch said they were happy to have Kingsley as their new mascot.

Cameron Calder, eight, said: “He’s scary but he’s friendly too, and I think he’s quite a cool mascot.”

Cameron Brown, also eight, said: “I think he’ll scare off other teams.”

Seven-year-old Emma Paterson said: “He’s quite friendly and you can get a picture with him. I think he’s quite cuddly and cosy.”

Source: SNAPPA