There are few people who know more about Brentford FC than John Huggins.
John is a Season Ticket Holder who has been watching Brentford since 1958 and attends as many away matches as he can.
Approaching the age of 80, John’s mobility and health are increasingly important to him if he is going to continue his devotion to the Bees.
This is why John Huggins forms part of a group of local residents who attend Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s Extra Time weekly sessions.
Held at Griffin Park, these sessions are run for the over-55s by experienced aerobics instructor Jenny Moore.
“Coming here keeps me flexible and mobile," said John.
"At my age this kind of exercise is preferable to weight lifting or anything like that.
“I have arthritic knees and neck so it is important to keep moving.
"I am not going to have a knee replacement at my age, so I either use them or lose them.
"This way I can keep going to my football.”
These classes are a great way for older members of the Brentford community to keep fit without overdoing it.
The hour sessions include aerobics, chair exercises and stretches to ensure the heart rate is raised and joints and muscles are kept active.
John and his fellow Extra Timers may have a few years on the clock, but with the music pumping, and lively instructor Jenny calling out instructions, it doesn’t take them long to get moving.
“I love doing the classes," said Jenny, who started the sessions in association with the Trust in 2011.
"They have given me a whole new lease of life.
“I was retired and looking for something new to do and then I thought of exercise to music, and I just went for it!
“I had to re-train as I had a background in physiotherapy.
"It was quite challenging and I knew straight away that my calling was for the 50-plus age group.”
Alan and his wife Julie Burgess have been attending the sessions since they began.
While they both enjoy socialising with old and new friends over coffee and biscuits, they get different things physically from the sessions.
“Playing table tennis helps my hand-eye coordination, as I am blind in one eye and have poor vision in the other," said Alan, who suffered a stroke in 2007 and has been left partially paralysed.
"It is good physical exercise for the body and it has increased my reaction speeds."
While Alan plays table tennis with assistant Marco Cinque (a volunteer from Ealing YOS), his wife Julie takes part in the chair exercises.
Julie said: “This is the only real exercise I do.
"It is great for us to come to these sessions because playing table tennis is good for Alan, and I am able to carry on with the exercises.
"Doing regular exercise makes you feel more awake, it wakes you up and you feel like you are back in the world of the living.
"I enjoy coming, Jenny is great because she lets you go at your own pace.”
Although many members have been going to Extra Time for years, a regular flow of new members are warmly welcomed into the fold.
New attendee Linda Branch said: “I feel brave!
"I don’t do things like this normally.
"I go shopping and walk about but nothing like this.
"Hopefully I will not ache too much tomorrow."
The friendly environment has encouraged Linda to bring some friends with her next week and instructor Jenny is keen to make sure that she comes back.
“Coming here is wonderful," said Janet Wedler, who spends much of her time looking after her husband.
"It is a social event.
"They have table tennis, teas and coffees.
"I really enjoy it.
"The exercises are reasonably strenuous and they keep your joints moving.
"As a physiotherapist Jenny knows which muscles need working on as you get older.
"She keeps an eye on us all.”
Amy Crook, the project coordinator, said: “Four years old, Extra Time has created a local legacy of participation and supports independence and wellbeing for older people.
“We would love to see more people join us in the future.”
Extra Time - Thursdays at The Hive, Griffin Park Stadium, Braemar Road, TW8 0NT
10am to 11.30pm
£3 (exercise)
£3.50 (exercise/tea and coffee)
To find out more about these sessions please contact Amy Crook 020 8326 7034 or email [email protected]