FORMER NFL star Cecil Martin gave Essex Spartans a pre-season boost when he went to visit the club.
Martin, who played full-back for Philadelphia Eagles and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his professional career, was at Hannakins Farm last week at the end of a tour of clubs around the UK.
The 37-year-old now works for Sky Sports, and Spartans quarterback – and club secretary – Steve Watson was thrilled to have him at the club.
He first held a training session for the youngsters at the club before hosting a question and answer session on an enjoyable night.
"It was really great for us," he said. "It took a lot of organising but it seems to have all paid off.
"We had about 30 children come down to try it out and I think there were 60 or 70 people there in the evening for the question and answer session, so it was really great.
"Everyone benefited from it and Cecil himself said to me that the last one of his tour had proved to be the best one. I was really pleased.
"To have someone there with Cecil's experience and such a household name because of all he does for Sky Sports, and to have someone there who's experienced playing at a professional level in the United States, we can't buy that sort of experience.
"For him to come down and share his experience and wealth of knowledge was absolutely fantastic."
The Spartans began their season with a 6-0 defeat to Bedfordshire Blue Raiders – see report on page 57 – but Watson believes the club will really benefit from Martin's visit to Essex.
"We saw an awful lot of people who didn't even know the Spartans existed before," he said.
"They came down to meet Cecil, and said they didn't realise there was a team in Billericay.
"It's raised the profile for us, we want people to be aware of the team and to be able to join in.
"The advantage we've got with American football is that literally anyone can come down and try it. Anyone that's sitting at home and thinking they can't do it, they can't play football or rugby, they don't think they're physically fit enough, with American football it doesn't matter what your fitness level is, there's always a position for you.
"We want to get that out there to the children, because our youth team is growing as well.
"Get yourself down here, there is always a spot for you."
For more information on the club, visit www.essexspartans.co.uk.
