Brentford players are busy Bees off the pitch as they support community projects

Five Brentford players and assistant head coach Kevin O’Connor have been working tirelessly over the last year as community ambassadors.

Chris Mepham, who left the club last month to join Southampton, Dan Bentley, Romaine Sawyers, Sergi Canos and Yoann Barbet all signed up for the scheme organised by Brentford FC Community Sports Trust last year.

The quintet and O’Connor, who was promoted from his role as B Team head coach in December, all support different community initiatives they feel most passionate about.

This has seen them involved in a wide range of activities and projects in west London.

Spanish forward Canos and French defender Barbet have been teaching their native languages to pupils at a school. Canos, too, put on a session at the Bees’ training ground for adults with mental health problems.

Goalkeeper Bentley has been volunteering at Brentford’s Short Breaks summer party for children with disabilities.

Midfielder Sawyers, meanwhile, was on the judging panel for the Fearless Foundation’s journalism project and defender Mepham took part in the One World campaign at a local housing estate to highlight the importance of community spirit.

The sheer size and scale of Brentford’s work led to the club being nominated for the Community Project of the Year at the London Football Awards 2019.