Brentford’s Championship clash against Blackburn Rovers tomorrow has been dedicated to the local community and young people will play a special role. The Club’s first ever Community Takeover Match will take place on Saturday, 2 February, and children from Brentford FC Community Sports Trust’s community projects will have the exciting opportunity to take part in important matchday roles. From the press box to the football pitch, ten children – from eight of the Trust’s community projects – will go behind the scenes and join a number of matchday staff to learn the ropes. And a couple will be starting today.

The matchday roles include: 

• Eira Griffiths, a budding female footballer, will join Thomas Frank for the Head Coach role and discuss pre-match tactics for the Blackburn game. Eira is part of the Trust’s girls’ football project, which encourages girls to unlock their footballing potential.

• Mia Lloyd, who is a young carer for her mum, benefits from the Trust’s Ealing Young Carers project. Taking on the role of Club Photographer on Saturday, she credits the project with igniting her passion for photography.

• Leah Hunt will join journalists in the press box as she writes a match report and interviews Thomas Frank after the match. Leah was part of an education project – at Griffin Park Learning Zone – that supports pupils with their confidence and self-esteem. She will also be involved in today’s pre-match press conference.

• Isis Cuttings will prove she is a worthy pundit as she takes on the role as matchday commentator in the gantry of Griffin Park. The youngster benefits from our grassroots community coaching sessions at Brentford Towers – situated opposite Griffin Park.

• Layan Aldillami, from Smallberry Green Primary school, will join the legendary Peter Gilham on the pitch to announce the teams and goals. While Dajahn Lang, also from the same school, will have one of the important tasks of matchday: shadowing referee Andy Davies. Both pupils have reaped the benefits of the Trust’s multi-sports sessions at the school – helping both pupils to enjoy sport and stay active.

• Zenon Mitchell and Reuben Isaac benefit from the Trust’s Short Breaks project, which supports children with disabilities through sporting activities. They will take on the role of Operations Manager and Club Shop Manager respectively. 

• Corey Parkins, who is part of the Trust’s Be Inspired project with BBC Children in Need, will join staff in the Club’s busy Ticket Office.

• Charlie Wilkins, who is part of the Boys Football Development Programme, will go behind the scenes and work with Bob Oteng, the Brentford FC Kit Man, before kick-off.

All will be getting their chance to get involved on Saturday but for Eira and Leah, their work starts today. When Thomas Frank meets the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon, he will be joined by Eira. And Leah will be getting ready for her role by throwing questions at both of them. See the press conference on brentfordfc.com and the Club’s social media channels later.

There will be full coverage of the Community Takeover Day on Saturday and in to next week. Tickets are still available for the game and £1 from every one sold will go to the Trust. More information can be seen here.