HUNDREDS of eager football fans flocked to Basildon’s Eastgate Shopping Centre to meet two Premier League star strikers.

West Ham United players Enner Valencia and Nene posed for photos and signed autographs for supporters at the club shop on Tuesday afternoon.

A queue of more than 200 people had formed inside the shopping centre as fans awaited the arrival of the stars.

Robert Flindall, 31, and Jay Gibson, 26, were at the front of the queue, having waited in line for more than four hours.

Mr Flindall, of Pitsea, said: “I’m a huge West Ham fan and every single wall at home is filled with claret and blue.

“My favourite player is Mark Noble, but I like Valencia and Nene and I am happy they have both came here, as they have helped us have a good season so far.”

Echo:

Ecuador international Valencia, 25, joined the Hammers last summer for £12million, after starring for his country at last year’s World Cup, while Brazilian forward Nene signed a short-term contract with the club in February.

Kerrie Sims, 27, of Whitmore Way, Basildon, was queueing to see the players with her twin sons Joshua and Caden, three.

She said: “Our whole family have always supported West Ham, so this is a big deal for us.

“The boys haven’t been to any matches yet, but we have been to one of these signings before.

“It’s great to be able to bring them here as they both love football.”

Echo:

The Eastgate store, which opened in November, was the fourth official West Ham shop to open, alongside sites at Lakeside, Romford and the club stadium in Upton Park.

Defender James Tomkins, a former Chalvedon School pupil who grew up in Basildon, met fans at the opening of the store last year.