Former Town defender Leon Barnett was gutted to have to cancel his football academy’s school holiday camp with the tier 4 announcement – but the local boy done good proved he never forgets his roots by bringing some Christmas cheer to Luton children regardless!
Hatters academy graduate Leon, still a regular at Kenilworth Road on iFollow and BBC co-commentary duties, got in touch to ask if some of the gifts he had ready for the Christmas camp at Flitwick Eagles Football Centre could be diverted to local children through the club.
The 35-year-old’s former team-mate Adrian Forbes, our head of coaching and professional player development, was only too happy to take delivery and ensure they reach some Luton youngsters attending club programmes this week.
Leon said: “I was so sorry to have to cancel the plans for this week because I know so many kids were looking forward to coming, playing some football and having some fun.
“All the gifts were wrapped and prizes ready to be handed out, so I just thought there’s no point in them sitting around, get them down to the club and hopefully there’s a way to get them out there to some of the youngsters in the town.
“Thank you to Forbesy and the staff at the club, which you know is always close to my heart, for helping and happy Christmas to all Hatters!”
Merry Christmas to you and your family too, Leon!
