The staggering costs of featuring as a match-day mascot for a number of clubs have been revealed, with the likes of West Ham and Leicester charging eye-watering sums of money for an afternoon of football.
The Hammers top the pile when it comes to the extortionate match-day sums, asking families to part with £700 for their child to be part of the big game and walk out alongside their heroes.
A full list of costs, compiled by the BBC, also showed Leicester to be the second highest chargers at £600 - while Championship side Swansea have a higher asking price than 18 Premier League teams.
The costs rise up to around £478 for a match-day mascot 'package' at the Championship club, research by BBC Wales found.
Swansea had supposedly reduced their prices following relegation last season from the Premier League, though the costs still top many top flight sides.
A spokesman told the BBC: 'We've reduced prices this year following relegation, from £450 plus VAT to £399 plus VAT for weekend, and £349 plus VAT for weekday matches.'
A number of clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and both Manchester sides offer mascot duties free of charge - with youngsters selected randomly from their respective fan clubs.
The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) have urged clubs to get in contact with their fanbase and have a beneficial discussion on what represents value for money.
A FSF spokesperson said: 'Clubs should speak to their supporters about what they think represents a good deal for parents and if fans have specific concerns, we'd be happy to look into it.
Romeojin
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Absolutely Disgraceful.
everyones
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I like many am surprised clubs charge for this at all. Kudos to Arsenal and the rest for keeping the big day free. Mind you, it would be tough to get anyone to front up for a Thursday evening, especially with school next day.
ewerkea
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I would have thought west ham pay the kids
sinecure
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Wow... what do they get for that kind of money?
izzuet
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Wow that's disgusting, but probably naive of me to have thought these kids were picked off a waiting list! Everything is money these days.
reallybaby
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They got a new mascot. Nasri.
building
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£400 to walk out with Harry Kane and all the other failures at tiny totts. What a joke.
Pinocch
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This is taken me by surprise. Never realised clubs had the audacity to charge and £600 is ridiculous. Why can't clubs pick fans from hospitals, local schools or via competitions instead? This is another demonstration of football being for the rich and not for the masses.
verbiage
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Small clubs like west ham need the money
Alaskas
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Why is anyone surprised?? Our owners have and always will be a joke. Can't wait for the government to give us the Stadium and for them to sell up and be gone - should be free and at least include a kit!
gramme
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What ever happened to mascots just being picked from the fan base and the club showing some generosity .... it¿s little kids who are normally mad for their club getting up close with THEIR club. Another example of the greedy clubs. I am sure a kid plus a supervising adult for the day won¿t break the bank or turn profit margins around for these money grabbing clubs. Far better publicity to give a good day away than charge rich parents monies for their little ones to have day.
horse
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The amount of money involved in football and West Ham trying to nick £600 off young fans parents is a disgrace. The club should lay it on for free to give these young fans a day to remember. What a bad taste this leaves.
capitalise
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The poor lads that get thrown out to be mascots for the Hammers... Would be embarrassed if we did that.
over36
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The game has lost its soul it should be free. The irony is that this is at a time when the game has never been richer with more money than they know what to do with...
zombieer
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Disgusting from all the clubs that charge especially West Ham who don¿t own the stadium
Eastwood
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All the tv money these clubs make and they can¿t see the brand equity and long term value of giving a little back to help kids form a real bond with their club! Shocking.....but fair play to the clubs that don¿t charge for this. I never knew clubs charged people money for this
Balancea
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Can¿t believe the clubs are charging their fans money to be a mascot. Is the £100m + that premier league clubs earn, not enough!
yummyy
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Didn't realise anyone had to pay for it. Disgusting greed.
capitalise
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Big kudos to the clubs who do it for free.
Jeremye
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Those money grabbing yanks Huw Jenkins and Martin Morgan sold the club to in their seedy, grubby underhand deal are killing us, on and off the pitch