PETER Westlake had a few surprise guests dropping in to see him honoured last week for his 40 years of service to schools' football.

Crystal Palace pair, and former Oasis Academy Shirley Park pupils Sean Scannell and Alex Wynter, walked into the Croydon Schools Football Association's AGM shortly after it began, joined by Marmadou Diallo (Cardiff City) and Harry Osborne (Charlton Athletic academy).

HONOUR: Crystal Palace's Sean Scannell presents Croydon Schools FA chairman Peter Westlake with an award in recognition of his 40 years' service to schools football in the borough Picture by David Lomas

The quartet had been invited by their mentor Peter Yates, a teacher at Oasis, to share in the presentation of a memento from the English Schools FA to Westlake, who is the current chairman of the CSFA.

Westlake, a Palace fan for 55 years, said: "I was completely taken aback. I saw them outside, I know Alex and Sean and I wondered why they were there, and when I went inside I was completely surprised as I had not expected to be presented with the award that night.

"I always like to see Croydon boys going through into the professional game. As a [now retired] primary school teacher I just hope that pupils get a lifetime of enjoyment out of playing football.

"I was at West Thornton School when (Sunderland and England striker) Darren Bent was there, and you do get that thrill when they play representative football."

Westlake is not the only long-serving member of the CSFA, with many others still serving the borough's aspiring footballers after several decades.

And he added: "It is a worry that the three of four officers who run Croydon Schools Football are all retired teachers, but I'm sure others will take our place when we step aside.

"I am also the chairman of the Croydon Schools Sports Council and there is a lot of good sport being played in Croydon, not just football."

The well-attended AGM included delegates from all 25 football-playing secondary schools in the borough, plus other teachers from primary schools.

Members were warned by the association's honorary treasurer Keith Bartley about the possible implications if vital grants from the ESFA, Croydon Council and Croydon Playing Fields Association were cut back due to the current economic climate.