Junior fans get Chance of a Lifetime at the Lane

White Hart Lane played host to a number of excited junior fans recently, when they pulled on their boots for their very own ‘Chance of a Lifetime’.

This hugely popular experience, delivered by Tottenham Hotspur Soccer Schools, gives some of the Club’s youngest fans the opportunity to play on the same pitch as their Spurs heroes.

Eight mini pitches were arranged across the width of the pitch, with six-a-side games taking place involving boys and girls aged between 5 and 12.

The goals flew in as each age group got their chance to take part in a series of 90 minute matches, cheered on by their friends and families sitting in the stands.

It was smiles all round as children received a Spurs Soccer Schools t-shirt, goody bag and medal at the end of each session.

On hand to entertain the crowd was Disney XD channel's 'Goalmouth' presenter, Charlotte Lade, who demonstrated some of her freestyling skills whilst offering up some of her top tips and tricks to young fans.   

Out on Spurs Square, new and popular games were on offer to entertain those not playing on the pitch, including Overhead Kick, batak reaction wall, Tottenham Hotspur Dribbling Skills Zone and penalty shoot-out. Mums, dads, and even Chirpy stepped up to the spot to test their skills against our talented junior keepers.

Grant Cornwell MBE, Head of Global Coaching, said: “Chance of a Lifetime is a fantastic opportunity for the next generation of Junior Spurs fans to visit White Hart Lane and follow in the footsteps of their Spurs heroes. The young players here today showed outstanding attitude and sportsmanship both on and off the pitch, and should all be very proud of their achievements.

“It was a pleasure to welcome all the players and their families to the home of Tottenham Hotspur, and we hope they thoroughly enjoyed the experience of playing at White Hart Lane and that they will be back next season to cheer on their heroes.”

One of the participants was nine year old James Smart. He said it was his dream to play for Tottenham Hotspur and if he was given the chance, he would love to stand on the spot Christian Eriksen took his free kick from when the Club played against Dnipro. Here he tells us about what happened when his ‘Chance of a Lifetime’ was made a reality at White Hart Lane:

I woke up on Saturday morning really happy because I was going to play at White Hart Lane.

First I had to go training with my football team Redbridge United.

When we got to White Hart Lane, my Dad lined up to book-in and I went off and practised my shooting skills on the inflatables. I then entered White Hart Lane and had my picture taken with the big cockerel and Chirpy.

As I was wearing the dark blue kit I was put with the team with the same shirts. We then went on to the pitch. I looked for my Dad and waved. The pitch was lovely.

We started playing and I scored two goals in my first game then did a knee slide to celebrate. When I got on to the end pitch I stood on the spot where Eriksen took the free kick. It seemed a long way out! The time went quickly and after six matches it was all over. We got a goody bag and a medal. I waved to the crowd! When I got out, my Dad took a picture of me with the FA cup and he bought a picture of me doing the knee slide.

I had a great day

Thank you

James Smart

Aged 9  

Chance of a Lifetime is just one of the fantastic opportunities available to Junior Spurs. To find out more visit www.tottenhamhotspur.com/soccerschools