In an unexpected turn of events, an 11-year-old border terrier named Berry was announced as the winner of Motherwell FC’s mascot competition for children. The dog‘s selection left both the club and Berry’s owners, Hilary and Mike Little from Walkerburn, Scottish Borders, amused and surprised.
The Littles were informed by Motherwell FC that their “child” Berry had been chosen to serve as the mascot for the Motherwell Women’s football match over the weekend. The surprising choice stemmed from Berry’s long-standing membership in the club’s fan ownership group, the Well Society, where she had been registered as a junior member since birth.
However, due to the football ground’s strict “no dogs allowed” policy, Berry could not fulfill her role as match mascot. Instead, the club arranged a special opportunity for Berry to meet the players at an upcoming training session.
Hilary and Mike had enrolled Berry as a “Junior Steel” member—a benefit for young fans of the club. Hilary admitted they always joked about the day Berry might be selected. “We knew it was a possibility,” she said. “We considered just showing up with her, but when Jim from the Well Society called and was so thrilled, I had to explain the situation.”
Jim Wright, a volunteer at the Well Society, recounted the moment with laughter. “Hilary burst out laughing when I called, and she confessed they had been caught out!”
Despite the unexpected outcome, Motherwell FC staff took the situation in stride. Sally Hall, the Well Society’s development manager, expressed her amusement at Berry’s selection, noting the dog’s status as a long-time supporter. “We’ve got a lot of four-legged fans, but unfortunately, they can’t join us on match days,” she said. To make up for it, the club invited Berry and her owners to visit the training ground and meet the team.
Hilary, reflecting on the event, said it only deepened their connection with the club. “My husband Mike has been a Motherwell supporter since childhood, and when we joined the Well Society, we didn’t have children, so we signed Berry up,” she shared, adding that it was their way of making an extra contribution.
This lighthearted episode adds a unique chapter to the Little family’s history with Motherwell FC. Their dedication to the club has even extended to immortalizing their pets—Berry’s predecessor has a brick with his name on it at the stadium, further illustrating their whimsical support for the team.
