“My boy Frankie just scored a penalty in the top corner against David Button! He is never going to forget that!”
Russell Hawes could not hide his delight as his two sons, Frankie and Stanley, got to play against their Brentford heroes.
The players and the community had gathered together for Brentford FC’s ‘Meet the Players’ Day at GOALS Soccer Centre in Osterley.
The event was an early Christmas present for 125 children who got the chance to play football under the guidance of the Brentford FC first team players.
“The only thing that worries me is that this is going to overshadow Christmas Day,” said Russell.
“A day like this sums up Brentford as a family club and it is great that this event is affordable and that all the players are here.”
Michelle Kelly also brought along her two sons.
“These events are important for the children as many of them have ambitions to be professional footballers and days like these give them the belief that things can happen,” she said.
Brentford FC goalkeeper David Button threw himself wholeheartedly into the event as he posed with fellow goalkeepers Jack Bonham and Richard Lee in goal for a penalty shoot-out.
“The children are clearly feeling the effects of our good results," said Button.
"There are a lot more kids wearing Brentford shirts these days and that is great to see."
Trust employees Luis Melville, Luke Brooks-Smith and Ryan Peters were behind organising the event which is now in its third year.
“After the success of the last two years we wanted to do it again,” said Trust Community Development Manager Luis Melville.
“When we organised the event we didn’t realise how well the team would be doing and the event sold out within the first week.”
Trust coach Ryan Peters said it was a great opportunity for the children to have fun with the players, while the Brentford team benefit from having direct involvement with young Bees fans.
While ‘Meet the Players’ provides the best opportunity to meet the entire squad, Luke Brooks-Smith says the Trust regularly has different players involved in their events and many players are involved in the current BFC ‘125 Tournament’, which celebrates 125 years of Brentford Football Club.
Once the football was over and the young players had learnt some new skills, it was time to formally meet the players and take photos and get kit autographed.
One fan that did not shy away from asking questions was nine-year-old Callum.
He managed to ask Brentford midfielder Toumani Diagouraga 1,000 questions per minute, ranging from his favourite food, footballer, his favourite match and any other question he could think of.
“My room is going to be a Brentford room,” said a very smiley Callum.
“We are going to paint it red and white, and put the things from today in it.
"My favourite part of today was playing football, and asking lots of questions!”
Brentford midfielder Sam Saunders, who has been at club for more than five years, believes things are on the up.
"In recent years the community events over Christmas have been a lot bigger and better than before,” he said
“The performances on the pitch are having a major effort on what is happening off it.
"People are starting to take notice.
"We aren’t little old Brentford anymore.”