Hayden Hackney surprised participants at the end of a three-day holiday course in Brotton this week.
The course, organised and run by MFC Foundation at St. Peter’s Primary School, was coming a close when Hayden popped in.
The 20-year-old answered questions from the excited youngsters before handing out medals, posing for photographs and signing autographs.
Hailing from just down the road Redcar, Hayden told the young Boro fans about how his career started and offered them words of encouragement.
“Thank you to Hayden for taking the time to come over to East Cleveland,” says the Foundation’s Gary Walton. “We appreciate it and the kids absolutely loved it.”
Hayden’s visit came after a week of activity that saw Riley McGree send a video message of congratulations to Richmond School after they won a competition centred on environmentally sustainability, Academy player Max Howells was in the judging panel for that one, then Hayden again, this time with Marc Bola proudly displayed a "Football is for Everyone" t-shirt designed by 14-year-old Lillie Heard ahead of Saturday’s win over QPR.
The first team squad had picked the winner.
