If you attend a Brentford B game, chances are you will likely run into a member of Ollie Shield’s family in the crowd.

Shield's biggest supporters, his family, share their time between watching the young Bees and Shield's twin brother, Harry, at Plymouth Argyle.

Their mum Julia, dad Andrew, and sister Ella, are consistent figures at B-team games and have been following Shield to all points of the country since he signed with the club as a first-year scholar ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The trio regularly make the drive up the motorway from their home in Bristol to Wheatsheaf Park, or wherever in the country Sam Saunders’ squad may be playing that week, at times forced to split up due to fixture clashes to ensure someone is able to watch both Shield and Harry.

It’s a task that Julia and Andrew have done since Shield and Harry were youngsters coming through the ranks at Southampton Academy, something that Shield concedes he may take for granted at times, but he says he is aware of how important they have been on his journey thus far.

“Harry and I probably take it for granted a bit; they’re there at every game. We wouldn’t be where we are without them,” he said.

“All the journeys that they’ve done, not just coming to watch us, but when we were younger, taking us down to Southampton three or four days a week.

“I’m proud to be in a family with them and, every day, I just come in and try to make them as proud as possible. It's almost about completing their dream as well as ours.”

That hunger for success has driven Shield forward since linking up with the Under-18s in the summer of 2023, a hunger that continued into his promotion to the B team last season as a second-year scholar, and this season, his first as a professional.

Following limited minutes last season, Shield has flourished under Saunders this term, playing the most minutes in the squad to this point of the campaign.

“Last season was a big one for me to learn that skill of being patient and then, this season, taking my opportunity,” said Shield.

“I’ve enjoyed it. It’s a good challenge for me playing week in, week out, using the recovery as well to always stay on top of my game.

“I kind of had to have a reality check last season; I was doing so well to be in the situation I was, and I probably wasn’t grateful and wasn’t appreciative of that.

“Having those thought processes: ‘I am in a good position and not everything’s going to come straight away’… I worked hard, and I’m in the position I am now through the effort that I put in.”

Playing predominantly down the right side at right-back, right-wing or right wing-back, Shield has impressed, picking up two goals and 10 assists.

He said discussions with first-team head coach Saunders during pre-season helped to refocus his mind on what was important ahead of this season.

“Saunds spoke to me and said, ‘We want you to try and contribute with goals and assists, but also defend strongly, and communicate well and be a leader', which I think I’ve done well,” Shield revealed.

“He said I was too tense and that came from me almost trying to prove myself last year.

“This year, I’ve tried to relax and actually enjoy the football and find things to do outside the game to keep my mind switched off.”

Being able to switch off has allowed Shield to spend valuable time with his family and partner Rosie in Norwich when he has the chance.

He’s also focused on his interests in fashion and football boots, both areas that stem from his childhood with Harry.

“Football boots are just a passion that my brother and I have had since we were younger, seeing the pros wear them,” explained Shield.

“Now we’re in the grateful position to be able to buy new boots or get sent boots, so it’s just a little hobby that we had.

“I’ve got quite a lot of Skechers, but I do have a couple of Nike, they’re the main two. I’ve tried everything: Mizuno, I've got some Sokitos downstairs, which are a vegan brand. I’m trying everything!”

Making the move to London, Shield talked about how there’s no better place to be for fashion.

“Me and my brother are quite into fashion at the minute; just having a personality off the pitch and a way of doing that is the way you dress,” he said.

“It’s a big interest of mine, and it's another thing that takes my mind off football, whether that’s going out trying to make outfits or seeing it on social media.

"Having London on your doorstep isn’t a bad shopping centre!"

While heavily focused on his football dream, the world of fashion is a place Shield could see himself working post-football career.

The inspiration of players like Reiss Nelson has helped that dream look like something that could become reality.

“Me and my brother have always said that we wanted to start something," explained Shield. "Being twins is rare enough, so maybe having a brand as well could be a path we want to go down.

“Maybe setting something up in fashion or out of fashion, just using our skills together to try and make something... it is something that I’m interested in.

“Obviously, Reiss Nelson has his brand, that’s an eye opener to see what he does and something that I’d be up for in the future.”

Shield and the Bees are next in action on Sunday as they face Bristol City at Wheatsheaf Park from 12pm. Tickets are available here.