West Brom stars hand out Easter cheer across the generations

The footballers were a big hit with poorly youngsters when they handed out Easter eggs on a visit to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Goalkeepers Ben Foster and Boaz Myhill, defenders Gareth McAuley, Jonas Olsson and Liam Ridgewell and captain Chris Brunt toured the hospital. They also lent their support to a £4 million appeal to transform the hospital's children's cancer centre.

While Albion stars James Morrison and Liam O'Neil dropped in to visit a lifelong Baggies fan in Stourbridge to congratulate him on his 106th birthday.

Olsson said: "We normally do this around Christmas but I think we should do things like this as much as we can. It always puts things in perspective and there are a lot of emotions, but it was nice to see the kids enjoying our visit.

"If we can give them a bit of joy then everybody is happy to do it. It is very humbling and it's hard to find the words, especially when you have kids yourself."

The players handed out chocolate, cuddly toys and games at the city centre hospital, which provides care for youngsters from across the West Midlands. They met patients in the play centre and cancer wards and took part in an Easter-themed colouring competition.

The visit was also designed to promote the Children's Cancer Centre Appeal, which is now in its final stages, with the hospital needing just £500,000 more before work can begin to transform the current surroundings into world-class facilities.

Foster said: "It was lovely to do it. It is always hard at a children's hospital, especially wards that specialise in cancer treatment, but it was really nice and the kids were brilliant. It says a lot for the kids and the staff that they all had smiles on their faces. We saw with our own eyes what brilliant care the cancer wards provide."

James Morrison and Liam O'Neil popped in to Tudor Manor Care Home, Brook Street, Stourbridge, to visit Jack Jones, after seeing pupils at Redhill School, Stourbridge earlier in the day. Mr Jones went to see his first game aged 12, when he cycled from Churchill Village, Blakedown, to West Bromwich to watch a game.

En route his friend's bicycle chain broke so Mr Jones tied their two bikes together so he could tow his friend along, before they had to barter for a new chain so they could get home afterwards. They only had two shillings on them and a chain cost three and six. After holding a season ticket in the Smethwick End for at least 16 years of the many he has supported the club, Mr Jones said it was a 'delight' to meet the players.

O'Neill presented the retired mechanic with a home shirt with his name and the number 106 on the back.