ALBION star Andrew Crofts paid a surprise visit to an Albion in the Community (AITC) Inclusion football tournament in Moulsecoomb to meet the youngsters taking part.

The injured midfielder took time out of his busy rehabilitation schedule to sign autographs and pose for photos with the boys who played at the tournament, an event primarily used to engage children in learning about rail safety.

Crofts said: “The tournament is for a real good cause, the boys all seem to be having fun which is the most important thing, but it’s keeping them fit, keeping them busy and keeping them entertained.

“It's great that AITC are putting on events like this, and it bodes well for our community.

“Football is a massive thing in kids’ lives, and to be able to positively use it to keep them healthy and educated is fantastic.

“At the end of the day, a lot of those boys are fans who support us week in week out, so we as players owe a lot to them and the rest of the community.”

AITC has engaged with more than 250 children who have attended the inclusion tournaments during the half-term break, with football also being played in Eastbourne and Worthing.

Mike Okeychukwu Okolo, 14, from Brighton, who played in the tournament, said: “The tournament has been pretty good, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“It’s another opportunity to play football, and I've had talks with AITC coaches about rail safety today, so I feel I’ve learnt a lot about that as well.”

Jack Hall, 13, from Worthing, who also attended the event, said: “I like these tournaments because I love football.

“I think it’s good that these tournaments teach us about rail safety because a lot of kids don’t understand how important it is, and knowing all this could help a lot of people.”

AITC is one of ten clubs working with Network Rail’s community safety managers and British Transport Police as part of a partnership with The Football League Trust to raise awareness of the dangers of the railway and build a safer community.

The initiative is a development of the ‘Rail Life’ programme, which Network Rail has used to work with schools and community groups to get across safety messages in fun and engaging ways.

Martin Schooley, AITC inclusion coach, said: “These tournaments are very popular with young people and give them something to look forward to, and work towards.

“The youth workers delivering the railway workshops are very impressed by the kids’ enthusiasm and comprehension in learning about rail safety.”