The clash between Brentford and Cardiff City may have been postponed last weekend but it wasn’t all bad news for those in the area. Following the news that the game, scheduled for Saturday 3 March, had been called off, the Club donated boxes of unused food that had been purchased for sale to Hounslow Community FoodBox, which supports people across Hounslow borough. Mark Devlin, Brentford FC Chief Executive, made the donation to the FoodBox, an organisation that acts as a food bank but also offers support to keep residents out of poverty, with the help of Councillor Steve Curran – Hounslow Council leader, founder and patron of Hounslow Community FoodBox – who introduced the Club to the charity earlier this season.

Saturday’s match at Griffin Park was one of a host of sporting events which fell victim to the ‘Beast from the East’ as temperatures around the UK struggled to get above freezing for much of the week. However, rather than see the matchday food go to waste, the Club ensured that some good came out of the postponement by donating bread, pies and sausage rolls to those in need. The food was donated to the Brentford-based charity and Oonah Lacey, from Hounslow FoodBox, said it enabled some extra to be given to local families in need.

Oonah said: “Hounslow FoodBox is more than a food bank. We get referrals from Hounslow Council and other agencies of families in need and are able to support on average 800 to 1,000 residents a month. We will give them food for a week but also offer support and advice to try and enable them to improve their circumstances.

“The food donated by Brentford FC enabled us to give some of those families a little extra treat. In difficult times, people will only get what they absolutely need and that is what we can provide. So far, around 80 families have been able to get a little bit extra because of the generosity of Brentford FC. They have all been delighted to receive that food and have been passing on their thanks to the Club. We hope to be able to develop a long-standing relationship between the charity and Brentford FC.”

Mark Devlin said: “Saturday’s postponement was obviously frustrating but it was nice for some good to come out of a disappointing day. I had met with the Hounslow Community FoodBox previously to see how we could help them in the future. I hope to be able to share more details on that in the near future.

“Once the game was postponed, I was asked if the food which had already been prepared could be donated to a local charity. We were only too happy to oblige. Losing a football match to the weather is one thing but having people in our local community struggling to put food on the table, especially over the winter months, is another.”

Cllr Curran added: “It was of course very disappointing that the Cardiff game was postponed, but there was a silver lining. Brentford Football Club is at the heart of our community, and they showed yet again why this is true, by donating food to Foodbox. This will help so many residents in the borough of Hounslow. Thanks to Mark Devlin, and the rest of the team.”