CHRISTMAS may still be a week away – but Hull City's players decided it wasn't too early to give out presents.
The Tigers visited the children's ward at Hull Royal Infirmary yesterday.
They bought bags full of presents to give out to youngsters, including teddies, shirts and flashing City reindeer antlers.
Poppy Simpson, four, of east Hull, has been in and out of hospital over the past few months.
She has spent the whole of this month in the ward and has had three operations to correct her twisted stomach.
Her room is surrounded by pink teddies but yesterday's visit added a touch of black and amber.
Poppy's grandma, Shelley Wild, said: "Her fourth birthday was a few days ago in the ward and she has spent a lot of time here.
"We're hoping the third operation will prove to be third time lucky for her.
"She gets tired really quickly, so she is in the bed a lot, but she was smiling when the players came in."
Poppy said she like watching football with her grandad.
She said: "They gave me some stickers and a shirt."
Further along the ward was football fanatic Jack Ayre, 11.
The Goole youngster is actually a Chelsea fan, but watches Tigers games and was over the moon to meet Andy Dawson.
He showed off his shirt to Andy, who sat and chatted with Jack at his beside.
Jack, who is in the hospital for an ear operation, said: "I got a poster and a shirt, which was really good.
"I was surprised when they came in. I didn't think a football team would come in here.
"I got them to sign my shirt."
Emily Burton, eight, of Driffield, met some of the player's in the ward's playroom.
Her mum Charlotte explained that Emily is in hospital for a few days for a routine operation.
Charlotte said: "It is lovely of them to come and visit the children."
Emily enjoyed showing off her new loot of presents to her parents.
She said: "I got a hat and a watch and a football top."
Defenders James Chester and Paul McShane met patient Danielle Austin, 14, of Beverley.
She is on the ward recovering from an operation to have her appendix out.
Danielle said: "My boyfriend loves Hull City and watches them all the time.
"I got loads of stuff, including a shirt, so I'll probably give it to him as a nice present."
Leanne Falconer and her partner David Davies, of Bransholme, took photographs of their children Emily, five, and Tyler, two, with some of the players.
Leanne said: "Tyler isn't really old enough to know his teams but he loves football.
"He has already enjoyed playing with the Tigers ball they gave him."
Players who visited the ward included Andy Dawson, Liam Rosenior, Paul McKenna, James Chester, Jack Hobbs and Paul McShane.
Visit www.thisishull.co.uk to see video footage of the players and children.
