Defoe hits hat-trick as Legends reunite in special charity fixture

Familiar faces were back in action and some iconic on-pitch partnerships rekindled as a plethora of our modern-day legends reunited to take on a celebrity side in a special charity match in Hertfordshire on Sunday.

Organised by our Head of Kit & Equipment Steve Dukes in memory of his late father Charlie, the high-profile fixture saw a number of star names from the last two decades back in a Lilywhite shirt, Jermain Defoe grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick to help the Spurs Invitational Charity XI to a 7-1 win over a Celebrity Invitational XI in front of a bumper crowd at sunny Bishop’s Stortford FC.

Defoe was joined on the scoresheet by former strike partner Robbie Keane, responsible for two early goals to give Spurs the upper hand, while legendary ex-captains Ledley King and Michael Dawson were reunited in the heart of defence as Ledley laced up his boots for the first time since his 2014 testimonial – a real sight for sore eyes.

Midfielder Sandro was also on target during the first half, running off gleefully to celebrate with manager for the day Harry Redknapp, with substitute Robbie Keane Jr – denied several times in the closing stages by celebrity goalkeeper Big G – finally getting his goal to round off the scoring with the last kick of the game. Our former winger Wayne Routledge was responsible for the celebrity team’s sole reply, with money raised from the event going to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance and other local charities via the Charlie Dukes Fund, set up by Steve following the tragic passing of his dad after a cycling accident in 2020.

With ex-players jetting in from all over the globe to take part and a special pre-match fly-past from the Air Ambulance itself, around 4,000 fans saw the action unfold, with Keane giving Spurs an early advantage. Having struck the bar seconds beforehand, he scored from inside the box on nine minutes after Defoe’s shot was blocked, busting out a mild version of his famous rolling celebration, before doubling his tally two minutes later after some magic footwork from Defoe and Edgar Davids.

It was 3-0 on 19 minutes as Defoe squared for Sandro to roll in, but the celebrity side rallied and Routledge held off Pascal Chimbonda to pick out the far corner beyond Heurelho Gomes for 3-1 just past the half-hour mark. Spurs’ three-goal cushion was restored six minutes before the break, though, as Keane’s perfectly-weighted through ball allowed Defoe to finish low inside the near post.

Wilson Palacios replaced Sandro at the break but an unfortunate injury meant his day was short-lived, although the action continued apace as a superb ball over the top from Man of the Match Tom Huddlestone allowed Defoe to clip the ball over the goalkeeper for 5-1 on 55 minutes.

The celebrities had gone close a couple of times over the course of the game, but their best chance to add to their side of the scoreline arrived a couple of minutes later, Majestic’s fierce strike from inside the box superbly saved by half-time substitute Michel Vorm. Defoe subsequently completed his hat-trick mid-way through the second half, converting an unselfish cut-back from Chimbonda, while Huddlestone hit the crossbar from distance with a sudden effort as the Spurs side continued on the front foot.

Keane Jr came on for the last quarter-of-an-hour but despite being set up by his dad on a couple of occasions, he couldn’t find a way past Big G. Even after Defoe won a penalty in the last few minutes, Keane Jr hit the crossbar and was then denied by Big G after referee Mark Clattenburg ordered a retake. But with the last action of the game, after Gomes – who had come back on outfield – turned DJ Spoony and sent Spurs breaking forward, Keane Sr drew the keeper off his line and squared for his son to finally find the net, rounding off a tremendous day on a pleasing note for the crowd.

Match data

Goals: Spurs Invitational XI - Keane 9, 11, Sandro 19, Defoe 39, 55, 66, Keane Jr 90; Celebrity Invitational XI - Routledge 31.

Referee: Mark Clattenburg.

Venue: R&D Stadium, Bishop’s Stortford.

Weather: Sunny, 19 degrees.