WEST Ham legend Tony Cottee netted himself a warm reception when he dropped into Basildon Hospital – although one little patient was less than impressed with his footballing credentials!

The former Hammers’ striker visited the hospital’s Wagtail ward to see how play trolleys, donated by the charity, Clowns in the Sky, are being put to good use.

Cottee, 46, injected some fun into the proceedings when tot Michael Matlock, five, teased him about playing for West Ham.

The cheeky youngsters told Cottee he was more of an Arsenal supporter than West Ham, but the pair eventually agreed that England were the best team.

Cottee is the new patron of Clowns in the Sky which is a small, national, children’s charity supporting children with brain tumours and their families.

One of its services is supplying hospitals, such as Basildon, with trolleys stocked with crafts, toys and sensory equipment to cater for children too ill to go to the playroom.

Donna Byrne, fundraising manager for Clowns in the Sky, said: “Tony was really great and so lovely with the children he met, as well as the parents, grandparents and all the staff.

“We are so pleased to have him on board as our patron.

“Michael was a real star too.”

The charity is looking for volunteers in the Basildon area to help with fundraising events and re-stocking the trolleys at the hospital.

Call 01708 756169 or e-mail donna.clownsinthesky@hotmail.co.uk