Academy midfielder Joe Maloney signed his first professional contract on Friday, realising a dream come true.
"Going through the Academy at Brentford, it’s something that everyone aspires to," said Joe.
"If you ask any little boy what their dream is, it’s probably a professional footballer, so it’s a real dream come true of mine."
Unlike most of the Development Squad, who signed this summer, Joe had to wait until October, and he explains why.
"During my scholarship, I had two or three bad injuries, so they gave me a contract extension until October” said Joe.
"So they said I could come back for the third year, train, and try to earn myself a professional contract.
"It was a little bit of a risk coming back as had I not been offered the deal, then I could have been halfway through the season with no club, so I’ve got fit again and earned my professional contract.
"That’s mainly down the medical team down at Jersey Road, because without them I don’t think I’d be sitting here today signing my deal.
"I think Neil Greig, Chris Haslam, Darren Stern, Richard Clark, Lewis, all of the those guys, have helped me – there’s so many more, but they have helped me massively."
Joe’s route into the Academy system at Brentford came via an unconventional route.
"I was actually a ball boy here when I was 12 to 13”, said Joe.
"I was at Hanwell Town, which is a local club, then I was scouted by Brentford.
"I’ve been here since I was 14, got offered my scholarship when I was 16, and now I’m signing my first professional deal."
Joe described to Bees Player his position and strengths.
"I would say I’m a central midfielder, with a good passing range, and gets the game going", said Joe.
"I like to get on the ball, I feel comfortable on the ball; I think I’m tactically quite good.
"I love football and I love coaching and that’s part of why I love details in a football game."
He also has begun a coaching career, with a junior team and Primary School close to him.
"I take the Hanwell Town under-14 side, I also coach at Fielding Primary School, which is in Northfields,” said Joe.
"I’m just about to get started with the Academy here at Brentford, because they want to get me involved, and it’s a good thing to have on my CV."
Joe gave his short-term personal ambitions after signing his first deal.
"I haven’t actually played a game in quite a while,” said Joe.
"I played during pre-season, but a lot of First Team players have played in the Development Squad in the past few weeks.
"We’ve got a run of games coming up now, so hopefully I can get some minutes there, get some match fitness, kick on again and try to step up another level, because I can’t sit now on what I’ve got.”
View the interview with Joe on Bees Player now.