By BrianC
May 12 2006

One of the saddest things about the end of any season is that we have to say goodbye to people we know and like. Unusually this year one of those goodbyes is not to a player but to Digger's handler for the last five years, Dean Baker.

Those of us who have seen him down the years will know just what a star Dean is. Digger has stood out amongst Premiership mascots, often having huge sections of the crowd in stitches. Many will have their own Digger anecdotes, the particular ones that spring to my mind are Digger as Elvis, with Georgia Blakeney whilst she was singing The Fields and his antics at our last St. Patrick's game with the tea lady, plastic shark and the TV microphone.

Click on any of the pictures below for the full monty.

Prior to this article Digger's handler has exposed himself on here. Back in late 2002 we interviewed him. He also took part in our 'Meet the Family' series in the summer of the following year. Those who are regulars to the messageboard on this site will know that Digger has made frequent appearances there to satisfy the demands of his adoring fans.

To mark all he has done for us down the years Dean was presented last Saturday with his very own 'Little Digger', a statuette lovingly crafted by Diggers number one groupie, Mrs Goz.

Dean flew off to foreign parts after the last game where he was to get married so it may be a while before he gets to read this. Dean, many thanks indeed for all the smiles and laughs down the years. There were many times, particularly in previous seasons, that you were more entertaining than anything happening on field. You have left some very big boots to fill, Diggers next handler will have a tough act to follow.