Marcus Gayle said he always felt a special bond with the fans at Brentford as he was added to the club’s Hall of Fame at Sunday’s Player of the Year Awards Dinner.

The left-winger began his career with Brentford as a 18-year-old, making nearly 200 appearances and scoring 26 goals at the club, before joining Wimbledon in 1994.

After spells with The Dons and then Rangers and Watford, Marcus returned to Brentford in 2005 under Martin Allen.

Marcus always felt there was a special connection between him and the fans and that is something that made his induction into the Hall of Fame even more memorable.

Speaking to Bees Player Marcus said: “I was over the moon and I couldn’t believe it really when I was told.

“I am honoured and privileged to be in that group and it means a lot to me and my family as they know the pathway that I have taken.

“Brentford was my first club, I came through the gates at 14, and without Brentford I wouldn’t have had the career that I have had.

“I was attracted back by the connection that I have had for many years.

“It is great to return to this and witness the new style of management and football here.

“I was born in Shepherd’s Bush so everyone thought that QPR would be the first destination but there was no interest there.

“Brentford were interested in me and I took that opportunity at 14 and I came down.

“I have family that live in Brentford and grew up supporting Brentford and I had a short spell living in Brentford.

“Brentford has always been part of my life and a very good part of it.

“I have always bumped into Brentford fans no matter where I have been and they have always been quite complementary to me and proud of what I have achieved since I left Brentford.

“There has always been a strong Brentford connection so to be here tonight was an honour and a privilege.

“I feel that I am a people’s person: someone that you can approach and have good laugh with.

“I don’t take myself too seriously and that might help people to get to know me a bit better.

“I love meeting people and saying hello to people, signing autographs for their kids and that is the kind of person that I am.”

During his first spell at Brentford Marcus was part of the Phil Holder’s side that reached the Play-Offs in 1991 before gaining promotion to the second tier in 1992.

For a young player finding their way in the game Marcus said it was a great group of players to be around and learn from.

“We had a few Play-Off failures that led to that promotion push on the very last day down at Peterborough in 1992,” said Marcus.

“I couldn’t remember the game too well but I remember the after party.

“I was only 20 or 21 at the time and playing in a team with very good senior players like Keith Jones, Terry Evans, Keith Millen, Dean Holdsworth and Gary Blissett.

“I was surrounded by very good senior pros that encouraged me a lot.

“They knew what I could do and they developed my game, to suit them as well, but mainly to really help me.”

Marcus maintains that he always felt a special affinity with the crowd during his time at Griffin Park, which all stemmed from his debut in 1988.

“I will never forget my debut on the 22nd October 1988,” said Marcus.

“The first touch of the ball went out under my foot and I thought I was making a right pickle of this.

“My second touch I took it around the defender and put the cross out behind the goal.

“The third time I got the ball I put it all together and got a good cross in and I got a really good ripple from the crowd.

“The crowd gave me the confidence to do more and I wanted to please them more and do them proud.

“Hopefully I did that during my time.

“I remember I was able to hit a lot of goals from distance as well.

“I took the same pleasure from crossing the ball and assisting someone as I did from scoring a goal.

“I had my favourite wing on the side by the tunnel which was my favourite side to perform.

“I felt there was a strong bond and connection down that side of the field.

“I have some good memories from playing with some good experienced players who really made me push on.”

Marcus left his manager’s job with Staines Town of the Conference South earlier this season after two years in charge last year.

He revealed that he wants to remain in football and has been studying to move into a business role within the game.

“I just completed a corporate governance course up at St George’s Park which took me six months and taught me how to be a non-executive director,” said Marcus.

“It was a very intense course where they show you all sorts of scenarios with different companies who have probably failed and then with companies that have thrived.

“My aim is to get back into football at the boardroom level and I am looking forward to something different in life.”