Peter Cross (also known as Mr. England) is an English rugby union supporter from Dawlish, Devon, who follows the England national rugby union team.[1]

Personal life

Cross is married and lives in Dawlish. Cross previously worked in tourism and owned a number of souvenir shops in Devon. He had also made business deals with other shops in the United Kingdom before retiring to work on a part-time basis.[2]

Rugby history

Cross had previously played rugby for Teignmouth R.F.C. and Torquay RFC.[3] In 1996, Cross attended the Olympics in Atlanta, United States while wearing a Union Flag costume; he received a measure of publicity for it. Later in the year, he wore the costume to an England match at Twickenham Stadium in London.[2] Two years later, he changed the costume to be based on the Flag of England as he felt that the Union Flag was not right for use at Twickenham. The year afterwards, he received a phone call from the Rugby Football Union inviting Cross to become the first official mascot of the England team because they had seen him in his costume.[4] He made his official debut in 2000 against Australia.[4]

In 2006, the RFU commissioned a teddy bear based on Cross to be sold as official England merchandise.[5] 5,000 were produced and they sold out within a season.[2] Cross uses his position to compete in charity fundraisers.[1] In 2007, Cross later acted in a Greene King IPA advert for the RFU.[6]

Costume

When at England matches, Cross wears a top hat with the St. George's Cross on it as well as a white and red tail coat with a red rose and lapel pins on the lapel.[7][8] Cross also carries a bulldog toy which is placed on the touchline at matches at Twickenham.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 "Rowers present £1800 to rugby charity". This is South Devon. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 "Mr England reflects on his 14 years as mascot". AccessMyLibrary. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  3. ↑ "STARS from the world of sport and entertainment are taking part in a charity run to London which leaves Paignton tomorrow with a £100,000 target in its sights". This is Devon. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Six Nations: Scrum V meets England's biggest fan - their mascot". BBC Sport. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  5. ↑ "Ready, teddy, go!". RFU. 28 November 2006. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 "Rugby's 'Mr England' stars in his first ever advertising campaign". RFU. 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  7. ↑ "Exclusive Interview with Mr. England (Pete Cross)". Rugbynetwork.net. 13 April 2004. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  8. ↑ "The England mascot, Peter Cross, before kick-off". ESPN Scrum. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
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