Pro Touch five are snapped up by the Bees

Published: 9 September, 2010
by STEVE BARNETT

FOUR young footballers enjoyed their first taste of being in front of a big crowd when they were paraded by League One side Brentford at Griffin Park.

Promising players Afolabi Coker, James Matthews, Christian Forino and Aarel Hubeison-Abie all put pen to paper on schoolboy contracts at half time during the Bees’ home match against Rochdale.

Dylan Singh has also joined Brentford, although he was unable to make the public signing.

The boys join a long list of players supported by the Pro Touch Soccer Academy, an organisation aimed at helping disadvantaged footballers fulfil their ambitions of making a name for themselves within the professional game.

Centre-back James, who lives in Islington and goes to Clerkenwell Parochial Primary School. described his one-year deal as “a dream come true.” Determined to make the most of his opportunity, the eight-year-old added: “I’m really excited, hopefully this will be the start of something special.”