FOOTBALL fans on the children’s unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital got a real premier treat yesterday as Burnley boss Sean Dyche and several of his Clarets players paid a visit.

The players handed out presents, posed for pictures and signed autographs.

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The visit saw Turf stars including Michael Keane, George Boyd, Steven Defour, Dean Marney, Stephen Ward, Sam Vokes and Jeff Hendrick raise smiles among patients and their parents.

The other half of the squad, including Tom Heaton, Ben Mee, Matt Lowton, Andre Gray and Ashley Barnes, made a visit to Burnley General Hospital.

Among those beside themselves with excitement to meet their idols were Nadia Sattar, nine and 10-year-old Broganjean Taylor.

Nadia, who has childhood arthritis, and Broganjean, who has a nervous system disorder, have become ‘best friends’ after spending periods of time on the ward.

Nadia said: “I met Keano, Sam Vokes and George Boyd and they gave me a Burnley yearbook and a present. I got to meet Sean Dyche too. I told him I’d sent him a Christmas card.

“I just addressed it to ‘The Gaffer, Turf Moor’.”

Broganjean said: “They were so amazing. I can’t believe they all came to see us.

“When I go to games I sit on the top tier of the James Hargreaves stand and the players look so small, but they’re massive when you see them up close.”

One tiny Claret the players all made a fuss of was 21-month-old Ben Pickup.

Ben, from Accrington, who was in hospital with issues related to his Down’s Syndrome, proudly wore his Clarets kit as he met the players with his mum, Janine Demaine.

Republic of Ireland midfielder Jeff Hendrick said: “Christmas is about children and many of those here who are unwell won’t be at home so we wanted to bring a few gifts.”

Nieve Hoey, 11, had been admitted to get a lump removed from her neck and said: “It’s fab, it’s the best day to come to hospital.

“I’m going to rub it in my brother’s face when I get home.”