At half time in last Sunday’s game against Woking game, youngsters from the club’s academy did a lap of honour in front of the 9,000+ supporters packed in at the Technique Stadium.
Players ranging from the under-7s to the under-19s took part and academy manager Neil Cluxton was blown away by the fans’ reaction.
He said: “I think we had around 200 of our young players – they did a full lap of the pitch.
“The reception they got from all four sides of the ground was unbelievable. To see the smiles on their faces, in particular the young lads, was great.
“We had kids from our under-7s through to our under-19s. It was a fantastic crowd and the atmosphere, I know it was an intense game, but the supporters were unbelievable.”
Staff from the academy also joined the players in the lap of honour and Cluxton felt that the recognition was richly deserved, saying: “A lot of our coaching staff our volunteers. It was nice for them to finish the season off with a bit of recognition.”
With the moment at half time being one for the young lads to savour, Cluxton also hopes that they can take something away from the experience
“I was watching some of the younger ones and they were still beaming for the full lap of the stadium. I think it was an experience they will never forget,” Cluxton said.
“Hopefully it gives the young players a little bit of appreciation of what it is like on a matchday being on the pitch – albeit just walking around and savouring the atmosphere.”
