BRIGHTON and Hove Albion stars Tim Krul and Steve Sidwell met young footballers at a free half-term tournament organised by the club’s official charity.

More than 50 youngsters from across Brighton and Hove took part in the tournament, which was held as part of Albion in the Community’s (AITC) Premier League Kicks programme.

AITC provides free weekly football to young people in local areas of high-deprivation.

In the past 12 months alone more than 2,000 people have taken part in one of AITC’s Premier League Kicks sessions across Sussex.

As well as the 40 regular football sessions, AITC also organises tournaments during each school holidays to give participants the opportunity to compete against players from other areas, with competitions recently held in Brighton, Eastbourne and Worthing.

And players taking part in the Brighton competition were given an extra boost by a surprise appearance from two of their Albion heroes.

Krul and Sidwell spent an afternoon offering words of encouragement and advice at the tournament, which took place at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, just a stone’s throw from the American Express Community Stadium.

One young aspiring goalkeeper was given a one-to-one coaching masterclass by Dutch international Krul, while others took part in a penalty shoot-out led by Sidwell.

The Albion stars then presented medals and trophies to the winning teams and players who had shown the best attitude throughout the day.

Martin Schooley, who oversees the Premier League Kicks programme for AITC, said having Premier League footballers coming along made a huge difference to the young people.

He said: “It was brilliant for us to be able to welcome Tim and Steve to our Brighton tournament.

“They were both absolutely fantastic and I am sure meeting two Premier League footballers is an experience our players will never forget.”

For more information on this project you can email kicks@albioninthecommunity.org.uk.