When an amateur team comprising West Ham fans turned up to play a game of football recently, they hardly expected to have their performance scrutinised by their heroes.
But that is exactly what happened when Hammers stars James Tomkins, Mark Noble and Darren Randolph turned up to the match at the West Ham United Foundation ground in Beckton to watch West Ham United iFC (WHUiFC) take on a Betway XI.
As part of Betway's new five-part series which will aim to help WHUiFC receive professional coaching and advice on food and fitness from the club and its players, Tomkins, Noble and Randolph appeared on the touchline midway through the game to give the team a helping hand with some tactical advice.
With Tomkins and Noble summing up some of the players' performance with shouts of "Right-back, pack it in mate!" and "Sign him up!", the team slowly realised just who was watching on as they tried to secure a win.
After later meeting the team and announcing the news that former West Ham director Tony Carr will provide professional help over the next six weeks, Noble admitted surprising the amateur side - which includes a swimming teacher, shop manager and a mechanic - was fantastic.
The West Ham captain said: "It was fantastic to meet the lads. I truly believe that we have the best fans in the country. No matter what, they stick with us through thick and thin.
"They have been incredible to me from the moment I joined as a 13-year-old schoolboy and, almost 350 appearances later, I’m incredibly proud of the relationship that I have with them.
"We look forward to getting the iFC team down to the training ground to put them through their paces and pass on some tips that will take them to the next level. The goal is to help them finish the season with a bang."
WHUiFC captain, William Bush, said: "We’re more used to fry-ups than fitness tests, and cold showers than ice baths, so getting the professional treatment will be mind-blowing. Being the subject of the Academy of Football project is beyond our wildest dreams.
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"Me and the boys have dedicated our lives to following West Ham. When Nobes, Tonks and Darren turned up we simply didn’t believe what we were seeing – and even watching the film it still hasn’t sunk in."
Watch Tomkins, Noble and Randolph pull off a huge surprise on West Ham fans in the video above.
