MIDDLESBROUGH footballers brought smiles to the faces of children at a North-East hospice – and came face to face with one of the club’s youngest season ticket-holders.

Jonathan Woodgate, Paddy McNair, Britt Assombalonga, Ashley Fletcher, and Curtis Fleming visited the Butterwick Children’s Hopice at Stockton and handed out presents.

As well as saying hello to young patients Charlie Wilkinson, 12, and Megan Farrell, ten, the Boro players also met ten-month-old Alfie Raine, whose grandma Samantha Clarkson works as a nursery nurse at the hospice.

Alfie’s dad is called Keegan and his grandad is called Kevin but mum Amy bought him a Boro season ticket when he was just two weeks old. “I had to get in early because his dad and grandad are Newcastle mad,” said Amy, who is also a Boro season ticket-holder, along with Alfie’s big sister Jessica.

Jonathan Woodgate said: “It’s really important at a time like this that we get out to hospices and hospitals and try to put smiles on faces. We all want to do it because it’s a difficult time for the children and their families and the staff do such an amazing job.”

Butterwick Hospice chief executive Debbie Jones said: “We really appreciate the Boro players coming in. They’re our local club and we’re a local hospice and the players have been lovely.”