Will's Wonder Day!

One Hotspur Junior Member Will Date won himself a day at the Lane as our match reporter at the Cardiff City game.

Will, aged 14, entered our Junior Members competition to watch our Premier League game against Cardiff from one of the best vantage points in the stadium - the commentary gantry on the half-way line in the East Stand.

He really impressed us with his match report and says he wants to pursue sports journalism as a career.

Here’s the story of Will’s brilliant day – in his own words:

MY DAY AT THE LANE:

“When my mum said that I had won the competition it took a while for it to sink in. It felt a little surreal and I seriously couldn’t believe it!

“All I wanted to do was get on the phone to my dad, to tell him and the rest of my family that I had won.

“On the day, I was told that I could also be a Flagwaver before the game. I was very grateful for this opportunity, as not many people are able to do something like this in their lifetime.

“I walked around the perimeter of the pitch, which felt very strange - of course in a good way! The stadium and the pitch seemed a lot bigger than in the stands and on TV. It was great to look at the pitch and think how many Spurs heroes have made names for themselves on that very grass.

“I learned lots of new things about match days at White Hart Lane, including how team news is filtered through to the media. Just outside the tunnel a man read out the team news, while being ambushed by keen journalists, who reported the news on their match programmes.

“The game itself was a fantastic experience.  I was reporting stats such as shots, corners and cautions, for commentator Gary to refer to during the match. He was even kind enough to allow me to read out stats I prepared before the match and, at half- time, stats that I had gathered in the first half. This I was truly grateful for.

“I was also astounded to meet one of my heroes, Cliff Jones at full time. What a legend!

“After the match, we were taken to the Press Auditorium for the post-match conference, where Tim Sherwood and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were being interviewed. It was fantastic to have an insight on how managers respond promptly to questions, knowing that what they’re saying is being reported by journalists. They also answered the questions very well. I even took some quotes down for my match report!

“Once again, I’d like to thank all the staff who organised this fantastically memorable day for my dad and I. They provided us with the most incredible hospitality throughout the day, and made us feel very welcome at White Hart Lane.

“It just shows what One Hotspur Membership can get you; a chance to enter these fantastic competitions that provide once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. I also love my membership for ticketing benefits, free gifts, and discount in the Spurs shops. COYS!”