Kevin O’Connor said to make his 500th appearance for Brentford on the final day of the 2013/14 campaign, a year The Bees had clinched promotion, was the “perfect ending to the perfect season”.

The Club Captain came on in the first half of a 2-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday after Tony Craig picked up a head injury.

After the final whistle he then picked up a trophy to mark Brentford’s promotion.

The Bees finished second in Sky Bet League One and will be playing in The Championship next term.

Kevin, speaking to Bees Player after the match, paid tribute to the Brentford fans for their reaction to his appearance on the best day of his football career.

“It was the perfect ending to the perfect season,” said the skipper.

“To get the win and to play my 500th game, it was amazing.

“The reception I got, and all the boys got, was fully deserved.

“It was a great day all round for the Club.

“This is my best day as a footballer, without a shadow of a doubt.

“To win promotion to The Championship and be on the pitch for the final game, this is the best.”

Brentford clinched promotion a year after missing out.

The Bees finished third in League One last season – missing a last-gasp penalty that would have sent them up – and then lost the Play-Off Final.

Kevin said that experience made Brentford stronger and to go up this time around was all the sweeter, especially as it was confirmed last month.

“It is karma,” said the captain.

“For whatever reason, it didn’t happen for us last year.

“It is crazy how it worked out.

“We are stronger for it, the Club is in a better position and we look forward to going up.

“I think this is sweeter after last year.

“And to do it the way we did it as well, with three games to go so there is no last day drama.

“It was a party atmosphere.

“The fans can enjoy it as well.”

Kevin received a reception from the Brentford fans when he came on that left him speechless.

It echoed the ovations he had received at the away games against Milton Keynes Dons and Colchester United in the past weeks.

“The reaction from the fans has left me speechless, particularly at the last couple of away games,” said Kevin.

“The crowd has been amazing.

“Those are the memories, the things that will live with me.

“I don’t know what to say, it has been amazing.

“The fans have always been brilliant.”

Kevin came on earlier than expected as Tony Craig picked up a head injury.

He said Brentford knew they had to up their level after a goalless first half and did so.

Stuart Dallas scored the first and Alan Judge made it safe late on.

“I was signing autographs as I was warming up,” said Kevin.

“I didn’t see Tony come over to the sidelines.

“I had to go straight on, I was glad to keep a clean sheet and win the game.

“We didn’t want to end on a low note.

“We spoke at half time and knew we had to up it.

“We wanted to finish on a win; it makes it a bit sweeter.

“We moved up the gears at half time, we knew we had to do that.

“We got the goals we deserved.

“They didn’t have a sniff.

“It shows the quality we have that when we need to step it up, we can do it.”

Kevin has been with Brentford for more than 15 years and said his primary aim was now achieved.

“Ever since I joined I wanted to help this club to The Championship,” he said.

“It makes me a very happy man.

“I will be smiling all summer, it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

After the match Kevin was joined on the pitch by his family and received a special presentation from supporter Paul Hewson, who worked with the skipper to support his testimonial.

“It was lovely,” said Kevin.

“To have my family and Paul, who has been fantastic for me and the Club.

“To get something to mark the 500 was lovely.

“It is what this club is about.

“It makes me speechless.

“This is a great club, and I love it very much.”

Full post-match reaction from Kevin O’Connor is available here for Bees Player subscribers.