Kevin O’Connor said he couldn’t imagine not being at Brentford after he was named in the club’s Hall of Fame at Sunday’s Player of the Year Dinner.
The 33-year-old, who is now a Player/Coach at Griffin Park, became the first person in history to be entered into the Hall of Fame while still involved with the club.
Kevin has made 501 appearances for The Bees over a 15-year career since graduating from the Academy in 1999.
Speaking to Bees Player after receiving his award Kevin paid tribute to his parents for the support they had given him throughout the early stages of his career.
“When I was first given the bit of paper I thought the club were trying to retire me to be honest,” said Kevin.
“It took a while for it to sink in for me but seeing the great names that are in there, including my Youth Team manager Bob Booker, means it is a massive honour.
“I love this club, it has been a massive part of my life, and for the club to honour me like that is an amazing thing.
“If I am the first person still at the club to be inducted then that is brilliant and it means even more.
“I brought my dad along tonight because he deserves to be here as if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t be where I am now.
“My dad was the one who taught me what I know to this day.
“Every Saturday him and my mum would take me to football, look after me and support and encourage me.
“They would always be in the background and that is perfect.
“I hope to be involved at Brentford in any capacity.
"I have been here since I was 15 and I want to stay as long as I can.”
Kevin made his Brentford debut in a Football League Trophy defeat to Exeter City in February 2000 and have since gone on to reach fourth in the all-time Brentford appearances list.
Along the way Kevin has been part of two promotion-winning squads, made the Play-Offs four times and reached the Football League Trophy final twice.
For Kevin it is the two promotion seasons that really stick out although he admitted he would never have dreamed of such success when making his debut on a freezing night in South West England more than 15 years ago.
“My debut was Exeter away in early February or late January,” said Kevin.
“It was an LDV Cup match so we trained in the afternoon.
“I remember I cleaned my boots that evening and they were freezing.
“It was a freezing night and I couldn’t really feel my feet.
“I came on for 10 minutes but didn’t really do a lot and that was it, debut over with.
“At the start I was just trying to work my way through and see where I might go.
“To think that I would go on to make 500 appearances there would be no chance.
“The obvious highlights would be the two promotions.
“They stick out to me because you get something for it.
“The relegation and then the promotion felt really good to get the club back to where it had been previously.
“It was great to be in and around the promotion last season.
“This season has been a terrific season.
“Individually my first goal at home to Bristol City on a Tuesday night will always stick in my memory.
“It took a while for me to get that but it was a good one and I really enjoyed that.”
Having been at the club for such a long time Kevin said he has got to know some of the supporters personally and that they have been a great help to him in his time here.
“The supporters have always been great to me,” said Kevin.
“I got some stick in the relegation season but that was rightly so.
“Since then they have been brilliant and they are great fans.
“I have got to know one or two of them as they have done some special things like my testimonial.
“The fans have gone out of their way to help me and look after me and they are great people.”
Kevin now splits his time between training and coaching, working alongside Mark Warburton and David Weir with the first-team and Lee Carsley in the Development Squad.
The 33-year-old admitted he was apprehensive about making the switch to begin with but said ever since then the players and other coaching staff have been brilliant to him.
“I thought it was going to be really hard and I felt a little bit uncomfortable for the first couple of weeks when I did it,” said Kevin.
“Since then the manager, David Weir and Simon Royce have brought me into the office and treated me as one of theirs.
“It has been brilliant and I have loved every minute of it.
“The lads have given me a bit of stick and a bit of encouragement at the right times.
“It has been brilliant and I couldn’t ask for any more.”
After receiving his award Kevin said focus now shifts to Friday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off Semi-Final against Middlesbrough.
Kevin said it felt special the way that things went The Bees’ way on Saturday in the 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic and added that the squad has unfinished business against a Boro side they have lost to twice already this season.
“It was special seeing the club getting to where we want to go and for things to fall our way yesterday,” said Kevin.
“I knew we would get the 2-0 that we needed but having the other results going our way hasn’t happened for Brentford over the years.
“It was really good to see that and to hear how positive the crowd were.
“We will have a very good game against Middlesbrough.
“They are a good team but we don’t fear them.
“We have got some unfinished business as we didn’t play so well up there in the second-half.
“We will go there and try and correct that but I am feeling confident.”