Watford Football Club Young Player of the Year and local boy Dion Pereira paid a visit to his old primary school to deliver brand new kits to the kids courtesy of a Premier League scheme.
The children at Laurance Haines School study just round the corner from the club’s Vicarage Road home, and were thrilled to meet their hero Dion, who made his Premier League debut this season.
Dion, 18, was accompanied by his mum who previously worked at the school, and they were greeted by his former teacher Michelle Penny, who said: “It was such a delight to see Dion again. He was always a determined and resilient child. It’s wonderful to see him succeed as a professional footballer.
“We would like to thank Watford FC Community Trust for nominating us for the kits, and Dion for coming to present them to us.”
The pupils had a chance to chat with Dion and get autographs before he presented the boys’ football team with the new Nike strip.
Gabriel, captain of the team, said: “It was an inspiring moment to meet a professional player who started playing football on the same playground that we use every day.”
The visit was organised by Watford FC’s trust, which runs extra-curricular clubs, healthy lifestyle projects, and the Premier League Starts programme.
The kit scheme is funded by donations from players at each of the Premier League clubs, with kits provided to schools and youth organisations who take part in an open application process, as well as schools chosen by the players themselves.
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