Earlier this season, Brentford opened its doors—and its ears—to the next generation of Bees. More than 150 junior season ticket holders and young members packed into the Gtech Community Stadium for the club's first-ever Junior Fans Forum, an evening dedicated to giving the club's youngest supporters a real voice.
In a move that underscores Brentford's commitment to cultivating its fan base for years to come, the event brought together key figures from across the club. Head coach Keith Andrews, club captain Nathan Collins, first-team star Jordan Henderson, and chief executive Jon Varney all took the stage to field questions directly from the young audience.
The forum is part of a broader strategy to keep junior fans at the heart of the club. This season alone, Brentford has frozen junior season ticket prices for the 2026/27 campaign and introduced the Gen10 policy, which slashes away league ticket prices for juniors to just £10. It's a clear signal that the club is investing in its future, one young fan at a time.
On the night, the young supporters didn't hold back. Nathan Collins shared insights into his journey to captaining both club and country, while Jordan Henderson spoke passionately about why the culture of togetherness and community at Brentford stands out to him. Head coach Keith Andrews reflected on his transition from set-piece coach to the top job, contrasting the pressures of playing with the challenges of managing at the highest level. Meanwhile, Jon Varney painted a picture of the club's long-term ambitions, emphasizing just how vital young fans are to that vision.
The enthusiasm didn't end with the forum. Recognizing the high level of engagement, the club has since established a new Junior Supporters Board—a representative group of these highly engaged young fans who will help shape the fan journey and offer valuable insight into how the club can better connect with younger audiences in the future.
Hayley Carson, Brentford's fan experience manager, summed it up best: "Events like this are so important in giving junior supporters a voice in shaping the club. The questions on the night showed that it's not just about meeting your heroes; our young fans are engaged and curious about how we're building for the future. This kind of connection and commitment to the club is going to last a lifetime."
For the Bees, it looks like the future is in good hands—and those hands are wearing junior-sized gloves.