Ben Hamer’s fairytale loan spell at Brentford received the perfect send-off this week when he was named Golden Gloves winner for League Two.

The award, presented to the keeper with the most clean sheets during the league season, will be handed to Hamer after he blanked opponents on 20 occasions during the Bees’ League Two title-winning season.

But the Reading stopper reckons he is only part of the reason for the miserly goals conceded tally.

Hamer said: “I reckon I had a pretty good season, but in football you are only as good as those around you.

“For me, this award says more about the defence than it does about me.

“If you have a solid defence in front of you it makes things a lot easier as a keeper and likewise when you are performing well in goal it gives the defence a lot of confidence.

“Andy Scott obviously did a lot of work on our defending, and we had a great system that if a player was injured somebody just fitted straight in knowing what was expected of them.”

Hamer made 69 appearances during his two loan spells at Griffin Park, including 45 league starts this campaign.

And he admits he has matured considerably during that spell.

He added: “I have had a fantastic time at Brentford and I feel I improved each week I was there.

“The fans were absolutely brilliant to me and I am glad I have been able to pay them back.

“The first season I was there (2007/8) was a bit hit and miss and I was probably still quite naive.

“But this season I have been a lot more consistent, and my confidence has grown with that and I think that was shown with my performances.”

Hamer’s expected departure came on the heels of Andy Scott announcing he was cutting loose nine of his promotion-winning squad.

But the 21-year-old reckons there is still plenty enough talent for the Bees to make a splash in League One next season.

Hamer added: “I think the players that the boss has kept are a very solid base on which to build.

“There are a lot of talented players there and I think the next task will be to bring in some experience.

“They will have to make a few signings but I really don’t think that much needs to be done.

“I think Brentford will do fine next season - they should certainly go into the season with a lot of confidence and anything is possible.”