Tony Craig is just going to try and enjoy the day on Saturday as The Bees travel to Millwall for the defender’s testimonial match with the proceeds from the game going to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court. The defender came through the ranks at The Den and has gone on to make more than 250 appearances for The Lions in three spells with the club. Tony also enjoyed a successful three year stay at Griffin Park which saw him captain The Bees back to the second tier for the first time in 22 years. The 31-year-old missed most of last season with a serious knee injury but he said that setbacks like that will only make him enjoy days like Saturday even more.

“I am all fit and well,” said Tony, speaking to brentfordfc.co.uk at The Bees friendly with Peterborough United on Tuesday. “The knee is holding up very nicely. Unfortunately, I did the lateral ligaments and hamstring in my knee so it took six and a half months to get right but thankfully that is behind me now and I am looking forward to the season. It was a hard time for me and my family and it was a long few months. It is part and parcel of the job and you have to accept it. Millwall have a great medical staff who helped me get back fit and firing. This pre-season for me has been very important for me as I have a lot of catch up to do but the hard work is paying off.

“Unfortunately, in this game you have highs and lows. The injury was a low period for me but Saturday will definitely be a high. It’s an absolute honour for the club to give me a testimonial after ten years’ service and it’s an honour that Brentford have come to share my special day. It’s a day that I am going to enjoy but it is also a day that I am going to thank a lot of people who have helped me out throughout my career. A lot of coaches and managers have put their neck on the line for me in the past so there are a lot of thank yous that I have to give. I am just going to go and enjoy myself.

Tony’s three seasons with The Bees were memorable ones for him and the fans as the side reached the League One Play-Off Final, won promotion, and then reached the Sky Bet Championship Play-Offs in consecutive seasons. The defender made 127 appearances in red and white stripes over that period and his performances in the 2013/14 promotion winning season saw him pick up the Players’ Player of the Year award. Tony said that he has very fond memories of his time in West London and is looking forward to seeing some old friends this weekend.

“When I joined Brentford I joined to get the club back into the Championship,” said Tony. “I am so pleased that I was able to achieve that and the day against Stevenage will stick long in my memory. However, the best game for me was the one away at Leyton Orient when we won 1-0. We went down to ten men and its backs against the wall. After that game we really did believe that we were going to get promoted. There are a lot of good old faces here like Harlee Dean, Alan McCormack, Sam Saunders, and a lot off the pitch as well. I have seen a lot of good people tonight. There were a lot of people I didn’t get a chance to say thank you to over the years at this great club and tonight was a night I could say thank you.”

The proceeds from Saturday’s match will be going to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Headley Court in Surrey. The centre caters for ex-servicemen who have suffered serious physical and mental injuries in the line of duty and Tony said that the resolve and determination of servicemen with life-changing injuries puts his life as a footballer in perspective.

“Headley Court is a charity that is very close to me,” said Tony. “It’s funny how it worked out that the game which I played for Brentford against Millwall was for Headley Court and it stuck with me. As soon as Millwall offered me the testimonial that was the charity that I was going to pick. It helps ex-servicemen who have lost legs and arms. To meet the people and see what they have gone through puts it in perspective. I am moaning about coming back from six months out injured but some of them have got a lot longer. To see how the prosthetics are made was a humbling experience and for them to be a part of my day is very special.”

Tickets for Saturday's match are available on the day from the Away Ticket Office at The Den. Priced: Adults £10, Seniors £5, Under-16s £5.