Website of the Year

Advertisement

Advertise with NZME.
Sport

Football: Stars speak out after beloved Arsenal mascot gets axed; GoFundMe set up

2 minutes to read

Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus. Photo / Getty

NZ Herald

A fundraiser has been set up for Arsenal mascot Gunnersaurus after the beloved dinosaur was reportedly axed from the club as part of Covid-19 cost-cutting measures.

Jerry Quy, who has played the club's mascot since 1993, was let go due to his role reportedly deemed unnecessary with fans not allowed in stadiums.

The news sparked a wave of support from fans and celebrity supporters, with a 'Save Gunnersaurus' GoFundMe page being set up by George Allen.

"Gunnersaurus has been the Arsenal club mascot for 27 years. He's a club icon and we cannot let him become extinct," a statement on the page said.

"Played by lifelong fan Jerry Quy, it would be a terrible shame to lose him. The mascot league is the only one we've consistently been on top of, let's keep our all time top scorer on top.

"Let's raise some money to keep Gunnersaurus going. Please give generously!"

The dismissal comes on Transfer Deadline Day, where Arsenal could spend millions on players.

The football community took to social media to speak out in support of the mascot and life-long fan Quy.

"WHAT? This had better not be true. Is it @Arsenal ??!" tweeted Piers Morgan.

"You're going nowhere @Gunnersaurus. I refuse to let @Arsena sack you. Come on @m8arteta @Aubameyang7 - this is not what our club is about."

Gary Lineker said: "Shouldn't be necessary, but it might be a good move and an act of kindness for the @Arsenal players and manager to club together and sort out this absurdity."

Comedian Jack Whitehall joked: "This is so sad. Surely we just keep the costume and put [Mesut] Ozil in it?"

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson expressed his shock at the decision on Sky Sports News, saying: "Unbelievable. All them kids, the Junior Gunners, there will be 30 and 40-year-old fans who have grown up with that dinosaur.

"Its disappointing, I think it's poor by Arsenal, I really do."