Life long Bees fan, Steve Cox, takes time out to thank the Community Trust staff for a fantastic Meet The Players Day.
Thanks to the great work put in by Luis Melville and his team at the Community Trust, 23 Jan 2016 will go down as one of my proudest days as a Brentford fan.
It was two weeks earlier, on my way back from a Christmas lunch, when I got the email promoting a meet-the-players day and, fuelled by Xmas spirit, I booked up straight away for Leo (age 7) and Lyla (5).
The next day I woke up to a decent hangover – and an email confirming the booking. In the cold light of day I wondered: 1) Would they really meet the players? 2) How many players would they meet? 3) Would it be worth the drive from my house to Uxbridge? 4) Would my 5-year-old non-footballing daughter really enjoy it? And 5) How would the missus respond to my lack of availability for a proposed trip to Westfield?
The upshot was that it turned out to one of the all-time great days, as a dad, and as a Brentford fan. I really got the feeling that the club cared about the kids, and their place in the community.
Lyla was a bit nervous (being one of only three girls there, as well as being the youngest/shortest). But the coaches, Dale and Craig, did a great job of making it fun from minute one. They were brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble and she ran about for three hours, doing drills, playing games and, most fun of all, playing dodgeball!
After that they had lunch, then the mascots came out for some fun and games, which the kids thought were hilarious. Following that, every single member of the first team squad came out and played small-sided matches with the kids. The players even moved about among the different age groups, so that they everyone got to play with their favourite players.
Leo was sliding in to Hogan at every opportunity, in a single-handed bid to keep him at the club! Lyla’s favourite player was Ryan Woods – great to see that even at the age of 5, she appreciates the less-glamourous work done by the engine room of the side. For the grand finale they got to walk round and talk to the players – getting posters, autographs, books and autographs on whatever they wanted signing.
One lucky lad got his boots autographed and was chuffed to bits. At the end they all got a goody bag with a Bees hat and some other bits to take home.
It really was a superb day, starting at 11.45am and not finishing until 5.45pm. It was worth every penny of the £35. The club did a great job and it was superb to see every one of the players there.
Well done to Luis, Dale, Craig and the rest of the coaches for a fantastic job. See you next year!
Steve Cox
