Mat, who watched his first Hatters game in 1996, has been fighting bravely against cancer for the last five years and he tweeted:

Mat's message captured the hearts of our players, staff and supporters alike, with manager Nathan Jones inviting the family to The Brache to watch the final training session before the 2022-23 campaign kicks off, so Alfie could meet the squad before his big day tomorrow.

So, with his three-year-old brother Jack off shopping with his grandparents, Alfie was brought along by 35-year-old Mat and mum Lizzie to get warmed up for the occasion.

He was put through his paces by Mick Harford, received some some advice from the Gaffer, had a kickaround with Luke Berry, Louie Watson and Elliot Thorpe, showed Tom Lockyer how kick-ups should be done - and had lunch with his hero Harry Cornick!

Mat, who used to work in the Kenilworth Road ticket office after doing work experience here while at school, has been travelling from Kettering for the last eight years to watch matches with his family since moving north from Harlington.

If anyone would like to donate to Cancer Research UK, please visit the fundraising page via the link below that has been set up by his sister, Joanna, who is running a mile every day in August to raise funds for the charity who have helped her brother so much.

https://bit.ly/3OY9BnH

It was a pleasure to welcome them to The Brache this morning and everyone at the club hopes that Alfie and Mat have a day to remember tomorrow at the Kenny.

COYH!