Saturday 15 March 2014. Brisbane Road was the setting and it was a memorable day for the Club as we took one step closer to Championship football following a 1-0 win over Leyton Orient. First half stoppage time saw the Bees go ahead when Marcelo Trotta struck low to make it 1-0, which preceded 41 minutes of play in the second half where the Bees had to battle with 10 men to claim all three points.

“I can remember the away end roaring. Brentford fans are crazy. They’re amazing. It was one of my first memories of experiencing an atmosphere like that.”

The words of Kyreece Lisbie now of Brentford B, and somebody who has a close connection to the fixture above. “Both teams were trying to get promoted. My dad played and Brentford won. At Brisbane Road we used to go upstairs and my brother and I used to go and play football. We weren’t upset about the result because we just wanted to go and play football.”

Of course, Kevin, the father of Kyreece, led the line that day for Orient as he grabbed 75 minutes during a season where he netted 18 times. His side had to go through the lottery of the Play-Offs where they were beaten 4-3 on penalties by Rotherham United to miss out on promotion.

“I think my first football memory would be watching my dad play football. I remember travelling everywhere with my mum to watch him play. That’s how I fell in love with it,” explained Kyreece as he takes a seat at Jersey Road a couple of days after grabbing his second goal of the season as the B Team beat Corinthian-Casuals in the London Senior Cup.

Growing up in Chigwell under a father as a professional footballer, Kyreece is aware that he’s been fortunate to be part of a family network that supported him as he began to take his first steps in football, but playing under a former Premier League player can come with its demands.

“It’s really good, but it can be tough,” said Kyreece. “You’re able to watch your dad play football, which is what I love, and to see him score in front of thousands of fans was amazing. He was tough on me and my brothers growing up on the pitch because he knew what it takes to become a footballer. He used to train us as kids; he’d always be hardest on me and my brother. At the time I thought it was unfair but I know that he wanted the best for us.

“I thought it was normal. Looking back now I’d go to Brisbane Road and people would have my dad’s name on the backs of their shirts. He was on the billboard at the stadium and I thought it was normal. We’d have people run up to him after a game and they’d chant his name. They’d sing ‘super Kevin Lisbie’ and it was crazy. Looking at it now, it’s definitely not normal but it’s a massive achievement. We had some really good memories.

“Growing up people used to ask me if Kevin was my dad everywhere I went. I didn’t really think many people my age would know him, but they did. The feeling was nice but it did bring a sense of pressure when it comes to me. I knew that wherever I went I was a footballer’s son, so it wasn’t always easy.”

Kyreece has had an inspirational career to date. He has represented teams at a range of levels as he tried to forge a path into the professional game himself, alongside his twin brother Kyrell. He had a spell at his dad’s former club in Leyton Orient, played local football and went through multiple trials. He and Kyrell were picked up by Watford and brought into their Under-18 set up before their journeys took different paths following the conclusion of the 2021/22 season when both were released.

Discussing his journey so far, Kyreece explained: “When I was at Leyton Orient I felt massive pressure. Growing up in school you’ll have someone say that I’m only at Leyton Orient because of my dad. I know sometimes it’s a joke but sometimes it’s also serious. When I got a move to Watford I knew that no one could say that anymore and that’s the same with Brentford. I didn’t feel trapped at Leyton Orient, but I definitely felt the pressure because of my dad so now I’ve joined Brentford I know I’ve earned this myself.

“I was on trial with West Ham for six weeks and didn’t get in. We were playing against Watford and I wasn’t meant to be coming on but one of the strikers got injured late on so I was given around eight minutes to come on and make an impression. I got an assist and my twin scored which then meant Watford offered us a trial for six weeks. It was like a movie to be honest! The journey that I’ve been on, it makes me smile.”

As Kyreece arrived in West London for an initial trial with the Bees and subsequently signed a one-year deal, this meant that the journey which had seen the two twins go everywhere together in football was halted as they went their separate ways to find clubs. As Kyreece turned professional, Kyrell continues to find his pathway and is currently playing at semi-professional level.

On joining Brentford and his brother having gone in a different direction, Kyreece said: “I know that he’s proud of me. It was unfortunate, the way things worked out at Watford for us. There’s a little bit missing because he hasn’t quite got to where he wants to be yet. When I signed for Brentford my whole family were buzzing and they wanted to throw a party. I told my mum that I wasn’t comfortable with it because Kyrell didn’t have a club yet. He was telling me not to be silly and he was so happy for me for joining Brentford. Sometimes life works like this, he will work hard and hopefully we can get to the top together.

“I got offered a one-year contract here, but I know that every single day I have to play as if it’s my last day. I think it’s good for me to have one year because I know I can’t get comfortable. It’s worrying in terms of the future, but it makes me work even harder to earn another one. I’ve had to mentally persevere because I know that the position I’m in isn’t secure.”

Kyreece with his brother Kyrell upon signing for the Bees

You can’t talk with Kyreece without mentioning social media. The 18-year-old boasts quite a following on TikTok with more than 330,000 followers on his channel. It started off in lockdown alongside his twin, offering everything from football advice and inspirational messages to engaging with those who like watching his videos as he shined a light into his life whilst he worked desperately hard to turn professional.

“I feel like my story can relate to so many kids,” said the youngster. “I think I’ve played in every youth league in England! I played Sunday league, Academy football, college football and semi-pro. People see the signing of the professional contract and think that’s it. There was so much before that.

“It’s our story. During lockdown I used to make content to try to inspire people whether that’s advice on how to get into an Academy or how to make a coach like you. People saw us as role models; they saw a guy who didn’t need to do this but would take time out of his day to help people. The number of messages that I get saying that without me they would have given up on football and lost hope is quite something. That’s incredible to receive something like that. I take time out of my day to respond because I know what it’s like to be in a situation where you need help. In one year, I went from Sunday league to signing my scholarship at Watford. I was playing semi-professional whilst at college and time was ticking, I had family saying that I need to look to get a job. I was in a situation that a lot of people can relate to, but everything changed in a year.”

On the pitch Kyreece has had a steady start to life with Brentford. His enthusiasm, work rate and pace have made him a nightmare for defenders as he chases every ball. He has led the line for the young Bees in recent weeks and his reward for his hard work in the Premier League Cup against Blackburn Rovers in September saw him seal the win for the side with a late goal.

Discussing grabbing his first for the Bees, the forward player said: “The feeling was indescribable. I hadn’t scored before that and the pressure was building up. I’d speak to my dad and say that I was playing well but not scoring. He told me not to worry and that it will come, as did Neil (MacFarlane.) I know as a winger I need to score and when I got the goal it was absolute relief. Even the celebration, I’ve never done a knee slide in my life! To then go into the next game and score again it feels like the hard work is beginning to pay off. I want to keep that up, continue the scoring and help the team.”

The recent First Team friendly fixture during the international break with Reading gave Kyreece the chance to turn out in front of the First Team coaching staff and alongside members of Thomas Frank’s squad. A moment which the youngster capitalised on as he assisted Alex Gilbert for the Bees’ goal in a 1-1 draw.

Reflecting on the match and the chance to feature alongside the likes of Ethan Pinnock, Josh Dasilva and more, Kyreece said: “That game was pressure! Playing in front of the First Team, it was surreal. I remember walking off the pitch and thinking back to myself that I’d just played alongside some of the First Team players, and I got an assist as well.

“When I was with the Under-18s at Watford I got a chance to train with the first team there and it was like I’d played a Champions League Final! Being so close to them at Brentford and training a few metres away from us knowing that you could get a call over at any moment is brilliant and the fact that the B Team and First Team are so closely connected is great. To train with players like Ivan Toney and Josh is amazing. When I first went over and saw them face to face and to get a well done from someone like Josh was amazing. I phoned my dad after and told him that they were talking about me!”

Kyreece’s journey is one many young footballers can take heart from. It includes perseverance and dedication to get to where he has got to, and he has proved a brilliant role model for youngsters wanting to get into the game and stay there. With the majority of his first season ahead of him, there’s no chance the running and dedication will fade as he looks to achieve his next goal.