Harry Kane on MBE: ‘It’s hard to put it into words’

It’s the latest chapter in the incredible story of the local lad from Walthamstow who had to do it the hard way before becoming one of the Club’s greatest-ever goalscorers, captaining England at the World Cup and winning the Golden Boot as the Three Lions reached the semi-finals in Russia – all by the age of 25.

His story reads like a footballing film script. Joining our Academy in July, 2009, Harry made his first team debut in 2011 but was loaned out to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester before getting his first run in the team at the end of the 2013/14 season.

After scoring goals in the Europa League and League Cup at the start of 2014/15, new manager Mauricio Pochettino promoted Harry to a starting role in the first team.

Since then, he’s twice won the Premier League’s Golden Boot (2015/16, 2016/17), been named PFA Young Player of the Year (2015) and selected in the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year every season as we’ve finished fifth, third, second and third.

He’s the Club’s record Premier League goalscorer (currently on 120) and broke into our all-time top five goalscorers with number 144 in September. He reached 150 goals and drew level with Jermain Defoe on 23 European goals for the Club with a late winner against PSV in the Champions League in November. His goal against Bournemouth on Boxing Day took him to 156 goals in 239 appearances in all competitions.

Now his exploits for Club and country have been recognised with a trip to Buckingham Palace.

“It’s quite surreal, really,” said Harry. “It’s been a great year for Club and country. It’s hard to put into words really.

“I’m very passionate about our country, very patriotic and going back to England, it shows how good the summer was for the whole nation, not just from my point of view, but what it did bringing everyone together.

“I’m extremely proud to be a part of that and obviously thankful to all my team-mates, all my coaches at Tottenham, England, Mauricio, Gareth (Southgate), all the staff, the guys as well – without them I wouldn’t be scoring the goals and getting these accolades.”

Harry in action on his Spurs debut against Hearts in August, 2011 Celebrating his first goal against Shamrock Rovers in December, 2011 Scoring his first Premier League goal against Sunderland in April, 2014 Celebrating after scoring a late free-kick at Aston Villa in November, 2014 Hitting the target in the 5-3 thriller against Chelsea in January, 2015 Wheeling away in delight after a stunning goal against Arsenal in March, 2016 Proudly holding the Premier League's Golden Boot for 2015/16 Joy after scoring in the last north London derby at White Hart Lane in April, 2017 Soaking in the atmosphere after his last goal at the Lane against Manchester United in May, 2017 A second Premier League Golden Boot in 2016/17 Scoring his 100th goal for Spurs at Everton in September, 2017 With the lads in the changing room after scoring his 100th Premier League goal at Liverpool in February, 2018 Hitting the 30 Premier League goals mark for a season at the end of 2017/18 Netting the winner in England's 2018 World Cup opener against Tunisia Scoring in England's World Cup last 16 penalty shootout win over Colombia Celebrating penalty shootout glory with England against Colombia Collecting the World Cup Golden Boot Celebrating after levelling Jermain Defoe's record of 23 European goals scored for Spurs against PSV in November, 2018 Scoring his latest goal - his 156th in our colours - against Bournemouth on Boxing Day

Harry revealed that he was fully in match mode when he was told the news by his fiancée, Kate.

He explained: “We got a letter to the house, Kate opened the letter… it was before the Southampton game. Normally we’d talk a little but she would never call me just before the match. I had a missed call and she text me ‘could you answer?’.

“I thought something was wrong! But Kate was excited and told me that we’d had a letter from the Queen saying we’d get an MBE. I’m proud for her as well and the whole family. It’s not just for me. We’re part of a journey together. It shows that the hard work has paid off.”

Asked if he could pick a moment from his career so far, Harry added: “I’ve two children as well! I’m sure Kate would say to say that! It’s hard to pick one, there have been so many proud moments. On the pitch, it’s been a whirlwind and hard to process it all. Hopefully we can carry on and win something this season – that would be the most special moment, for sure.”