It’s known as the beautiful game, but no-one’s been using that particular b-word in relation to Kingsley, David Shrigley’s new mascot for Glasgow football club Partick Thistle.
Named in honour of the club’s new sponsor, California-based investment advisory firm Kingsford Capital, the very yellow mascot was unveiled yesterday and promptly went viral with the hashtag #Kingsley.
Responses have not, it’s fair to say, been positive, with much being made of the scary, rather evil-looking character of this spiky-headed wee man. Or woman. “Oh dear! What were they thinking? It looks like Lisa Simpson on drugs,” was the response of Stuart Drummond, one-time Hartlepool FC mascot, H’Angus the Monkey.
Twitter has been having plenty of fun at Kingsley’s expense, with a fire-breathing Kingsley and other sinister incarnations doing the rounds. But, as you might expect from this witty and mischievous artist, the mascot’s creator has been taking all the criticism in his stride.
At one point Shrigley tweeted: “#Kingsley is the 7th most tweeted item today in the world. I’ll just let that sink in for a minute…” He also suggested that people “Just give him a chance. You’ll get used to him.”
Shrigley’s involvement with the club – known locally as The Jags – stems from meeting Kingsford boss and fellow Thistle fan Mike Wilkins several years ago while in San Francisco.
Speaking during yesterday’s launch at the club’s Firhill ground, Shrigley said: “As a Jags man it’s an honour to be involved with the club in this way. I can’t wait to see my design on the front of the shirts and around Firhill and just hope the fans like what we’re trying to do.”
He added: “It’s safe to say we have a few surprises in store for the supporters and we’re already in talks with a few other artists to arrange some pretty exciting giveaways over the course of the season.”
