Why Marvin the Moose? There have been many theories put forward over the years but in recent times it has been generally agreed that U's fan Dale Collett was the man behind the myth. Now, for the first time, Dale explains how it happened...

Most Football Club mascots are fairly predictable and logical, such as Cyril the Swan (Swansea), H'Angus the Monkey (Hartlepool) or Wolfie the Wolf (Wolves) . but not so at United - we have a moose!

Marvin the Moose takes part in the annual Mascot Grand National

No doubt, a few visiting supporters have questioned why we have a moose as a mascot and if their question was answered they would be left just as bewildered as they were before they asked.

During the early days of moose mania, there seemed much confusion as to how it had originated. Then after a year or so, a friend of mine leaked a reasonable version of the story to the Abbey, without me knowing.

I'd always wanted to keep a low profile and just enjoy the high-spirited fun we were all having at the time so I never came forward and said 'this is what happened'. The moose phenomena has died down - on the terraces at least - so it's a good time, as far as I am concerned, to tell the truth.

Marvin is very popular with young United fans...

It was August 1989 and I'd had one of those laddish-type holidays many of us have in our youth. We had set off to the Spanish airport worse for wear, having not slept for two days. We arrived back at Stansted at noon Saturday 19th, impeccably timed to allow me to jump straight into my amazing gold Mazda, get the scarf out the window and make the trip up to Grimsby for the opening game of the season.

I arrived at Blundell Park at 2:55pm (early for me!) and there was already a party atmosphere inside the ground - this was the era of blow-up toys - and it was a hot day with everyone eagerly awaiting the new season.

I saw the usual familiar faces and was greeted by my mates but as they surged towards me I said, "Don't come near me, I stink like a moose!" I still, to this day, have no idea why I discredited moose for not washing and having bad body odour like I had.

...and also with other club mascots, like Exeter City's Grecian Goddess!

With a motley crew of wacky, zany fans, we then decided to make various animal impressions such as goats, elephants, unicorns, rabbits etc. The moose stuck I think because it was the easiest and unlike the elephant impression it didn't involve knocking people's glasses off their faces with the arm being used as a trunk.

This was all developing into a good-natured giggle so we decided to have some banter with the Grimsby fans by starting a moose song and then, instead of the moronic "Ooooohhhhh... you're sh*t aaarrgghh" chant when the opposition goalie took a goal kick, we sang "Ooooooohhhhh... MOOSE!"

It was all harmless, banal stupidity but it caught on. Only 12 hours earlier I'd been doing Basil Fawlty impressions to bemused Spaniards. It was certainly an unusual day.

After that, moose mania set in and it became a regular chant not just at the Abbey, but rumour had it that other clubs were singing it as well!

My best memories are when we sang "Cambridge, Cambridge, give us a moose" in the warm up to games and the whole team turned around to the Newmarket Road end 'doing a moose.' The same thing happened when we celebrated our promotion at the Guildhall with the players 'moosing' on the balcony with their suits on. I also have wonderful memories of being in the two-man moose suit and being hugged by John Beck's wife on Wembley way.

Then, of course, the club adopted it as the official mascot and there was all the memorabilia - the hats, t-shirts, pens, even the club strip had moose embossed onto the shirts. I was amazed to read articles in national footy magazines such as '4-4-2', but such was the frenzy at the time.

I never wanted to be in the spotlight, or get any credit for the moose. In fact coming out of hibernation now is probably a bad move because people will be after me saying 'so it was you to blame'.

Marvin plays a big part in the match day experience

It was fun at the time and the whole Club had an upbeat, lively atmosphere that, in a sense, I'm sure Shaggy would like to re-create. However, after being a U's fan for over 25 years and CUFC playing a big part of my life, it's nice to say I've done my bit.

Dale (not Dave as widely reported!) Collett

p.s. For those in any doubt (or too young to remember!), a 'moose' is done by placing your thumbs against either temple and extending the fingers, with the hands open, to form the 'antlers' . what were we all drinking back then?

...and also takes his PR role very seriously, pictured here helping Dale Brooks

Previous Main Features:
24Feb03 - An Intro To New Physio Ant Coole
11Jan03  - The Management - One Year On
07Dec02 - The Chairman's Column - An Update
09Sep02 - Abbey Gates At Ten Year High
08Aug02 - What's In Store? A Look At The Season Ahead
12Jul02  - Harwood: There's Good And Bad News
14May02- Summer At The Abbey Stadium
02May02- Family Day A Huge Success
21Apr02 - Fans Groups Call For Direct Action
06Apr02 - League Chairman Thanks Fans For Support
30Mar02 - ITV Digital - Crowd Statistics & Viewing Figures
24Mar02 - LDV Vans Trophy Final Photo Feature
17Mar02 - Follow The U's To Cardiff!
10Mar02 - Away Day Blues
03Mar02 - The Best Of The Best?
24Feb02 - The Future of Football?
17Feb02 - U's Fans On Sky TV's Soccer AM
10Feb02 - U's Fans Feature On ITV Digital Quiz
20Jan02  - U's Players Get Darth Vader Treatment
13Jan02  - Kit Carson Explains His 'Head of Talent Development' Role
05Jan02  - Dale Brooks Enjoying New Role
04Dec01 - U's Players Try Out Premiership Physio Machine
10Nov01 - U's Launch New Away Kit

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