Mason at Wembley: 'I'm really thankful to the fans'
Fri 11 May 2018, 12:21|
Tottenham Hotspur
It was an emotional occasion at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday night as Ryan Mason thanked the club and the fans for their support during his recovery from injury.
Ryan suffered a fractured skull when playing for Hull City against Chelsea in the Premier League in January, 2017 – less than five months after joining the Tigers from Spurs – and was eventually forced to retire earlier this year.
Our former midfielder was given a rapturous reception as he stepped onto the pitch at half-time during our match against Newcastle United and was delighted to finally get the chance to show his gratitude to the Spurs fans for the affection and encouragement they showed him during his time at the club and throughout his period of rehabilitation.
“I’m really thankful to the fans, they’ve been really fantastic with me,” said Ryan, who made 70 appearances for the club. "My family and everyone close to me appreciates it and it definitely gave me strength in those early days.”
I’ve had so many messages of support on social media, e-mails and fan mail that it’s impossible for me to reply to every single one but I see it and I feel it. It’s been great.
Enfield-born Ryan has always been revered as ‘one of our own’, hardly surprising given his lifelong association with Spurs. He was quick to acknowledge that bond with the club and our supporters when he addressed the fans at the national stadium.
“Micky Hazard picked me up when I was six years old,” he said. “I went to one of his soccer schools. He sent me down and said I looked good. He said to come down to Spurs and see how it goes, and from the age of seven it was a case of never looking back.
“I was here from the age of seven until 25 so it’s a very long time. I’m a Tottenham boy – I’ve always been one and always will be. It’s important that I come out here and thank everyone for the support they showed me when I was a player, when I left and my recovery as well.”
Since retiring, Ryan has returned to the club on a voluntary basis and is gaining experience of practical coaching in the academy set-up, hoping to guide our young players along the same path to the first team that he took.
I’ve just retired at the age of 26 so I’m still young and it’s all a bit fresh but I’m back at the club and helping the young boys.
“Hopefully I can help a few of them make that step from the academy to the first team. I’ll see how it goes really. It’s important to keep busy as I’ve been used to playing football my whole life and to suddenly stop is a big deal so it’s nice to be back involved.”
