SALE FC Rugby Club have made a landmark signing in the form of Tricky the Mutt, the clubs new mascot.

Tricky, made his debut before last weeks 20-13 win over neighbours Sedgley Tigers where the club’s mini and junior section provided a guard of honour as he ran out.

Over 1500 people came down to meet Tricky at Heywood Road as well as to see the newly refurbished clubhouse, The Suite @ Sale.

Tricky takes his name from a Sale FC stalwart of many years, Richard Trickey, who played for the North West Counties side which beat the All Blacks in 1972 and holds over a hundred Lancashire Caps - a record for the County. The main stand at Heywood Road is now also called The Richard Trickey Stand.

Scott Bambrick, chairman of the Mini Junior Section at the club, was delighted with the prestigious signing. He said: “Tricky comes with an excellent pedigree and a huge appetite for food. We have already noticed that he is very friendly and really only dislikes cats and anyone stealing his ball”

Sale, who play in the National Two North, the fourth tier of English rugby, captured the signature of the much sort after figurehead from Frenzy Creative in Stockport.

Rennie McFarlane, senior manager at Frenzy Creative said, “We hope the people at Sale love him as much as we do as he has been a really big hit with everyone during his time here."

The club said that they are confident that Tricky will play a massive part in the steady growth of what is the fifth oldest surviving rugby club in the world.

Tricky will promote the club at local events and functions and he will also be available to make guest appearances at schools and birthday parties.

More information can be found on the club website at salefc.com/tricky-the-mutt or you can contact Tricky directly via his Twitter page @trickythemutt