Tottenham Independent

Tony Lenaghan, who worked as lead physiotherapist for Tottenham Hotspur FC during the 1980s, recently celebrated his 80th birthday in Ilford, where he continues to work part-time at Practice Plus Group Hospital Ilford.

The 80-year-old, who now mentors staff and treats patients recovering from hip and knee replacements, has spent more than 15 years serving the Ilford community.

His career has been shaped by personal health experiences, having undergone several operations at the same hospital where he works as an NHS patient.

His procedures have included two knee replacements, a hip replacement, and a hernia repair.

Mr Lenaghan said: "I genuinely love what I do. Having had surgery myself, I know how life-changing timely treatment can be. If I hadn’t had my joint surgeries when I did, I doubt I’d still be fit and active enough to keep working.

"Being treated by colleagues I work alongside made all the difference. It’s inspiring to help patients get back on their feet and regain independence.

"I want to keep working part-time at the hospital for as long as I can. I don’t have any plans to fully retire… yet."

Mr Lenaghan is well known for his quick return to work following surgery—once telling his wife that he "needed to exercise" before heading to the pub on crutches shortly after being discharged.

Mark Gilmour, hospital director, said: "Tony represents the very best of community healthcare. His long career in elite sport and local patient care is extraordinary.

"The fact that he has undergone joint surgery here and continues to work with such energy speaks volumes about both his resilience and passion to keep working.

"He is an inspiration to both his colleagues and patients."

A committed physiotherapist, Mr Lenaghan treated Tottenham Hotspur FC players in the 1980s before going on to work with professional teams in the Middle East for ten years alongside his wife Ann, who was also a physiotherapist.

Outside his professional life, Mr Lenaghan is also known for an act of bravery. As a teenager in Glasgow, he saved a man from drowning when he was just 19.

The man later tracked him down to thank him, and Mr Lenaghan was honoured with a long-overdue Bravery Medal at Glasgow’s City Chambers last year. The original medal had been stolen years earlier.

Practice Plus Group Hospitals continues to help reduce NHS waiting lists in routine operations such as hip and knee surgery, hernia and cataract operations. NHS patients can request a referral from their GP, while private patients can book directly through Wellsoon by Practice Plus Group.

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According to the BBC, at least one member of the Spurs hierarchy has already pushed for relieving the Dane of his duties after a dismal run of form has left the north London side 14th in the Premier League table.

The former Brentford boss had led Spurs to just seven wins from 22 games this season, and Saturday’s home defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side was preceded by taunts from the home fans of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” just moments before the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou as Spurs boss back in June, but results and a lack of consistency in the team's performances have led to severe dismay amongst large sections of the fan base, and senior officials of the club are now weighing up whether to sack Frank now or allow him more time to turn things around.

After being dumped out of both domestic cup competitions, Spurs are relying on stable league form to pursue the European places between now and the end of the season or have an unlikely run in the Champions League, of which they sit 11th in the newly formatted table.

They host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday before travelling to Burnley on Saturday in the Premier League in two crucial fixtures which may ultimately decide the future of the Spurs boss.

After the defeat to the Hammers on Saturday, Frank was asked about his future at the club.

“I understand, I am the man in charge, so the blame will go to me," said Frank. "With the fans, I have no problem in that sense. As long as they are backing the players and doing everything they can to support them and drive them forward. That’s what we do, and we will keep going forward."

The north London stadium, the largest club ground in the capital, is offering free entry on stadium tours and the Dare Skywalk from December 21 to January 4.

A Tottenham Hotspur Football Club spokesman said: "Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the perfect destination for families over the Christmas holidays with kids going free on Stadium Tours and the DARE Skywalk attraction."

The stadium tours will include festive activities for young visitors.

These include a colouring competition at the M Café, face painting, and a sleigh photo opportunity within the stadium.

Hot chocolate will also be served on the Dare Skywalk roof.

The tours offer a behind-the-scenes look at first-team dressing rooms and the players’ tunnel.

Fans can also get a photo with the UEFA Europa League trophy.

The Dare Skywalk, 46.8 metres above the pitch, offers panoramic views of London and an optional abseil.

Bookings can be made at tottenhamhotspurstadium.com.

The visitors took a 19th-minute lead when Brian De Keersmaecker delivered a curling free-kick from the right and Nik Prelec timed his run perfectly to power a header past goalkeeper Radek Vitek from a central position just outside the six-yard box.

It was 2-0 in first-half stoppage time as a hotly-disputed corner from the right was cleared into the path of Przemyslaw Placheta, whose sweetly-struck left-footed shot from 25 yards found the top corner.

Anis Mehmeti matched Placheta’s effort with a brilliant right-footed strike from distance for City in the 53rd minute, which went in off the underside of the crossbar.

But the final minute of normal time saw De Keersmaecker send another free-kick into the box from the left and Greg Leigh claim the faintest of touches off his head as the ball curled past Vitek.

City were unchanged from the 3-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday in their previous game, but had to make a switch after just 15 minutes when centre-back Rob Atkinson was forced off by injury and replaced by George Tanner.

Oxford had made the faster start, with Prelec, making the first start of his season-long loan from Cagliari, denied by a smothering save by Vitek after five minutes. Sam Long fired over from distance as the Robins were hurried into passing errors.

Ross McCrorie headed over for the hosts and Emil Riis shot high and wide from a Mehmeti pass before Prelec broke the deadlock. But Vitek was in action again to save a Will Lankshear volley as Oxford continued to threaten.

Long produced a goal-saving tackle to deny Mehmeti a 26th-minute equaliser and Brodie Spencer cleared an inswinging corner off the line to the delight of Oxford fans. Then Riis shot wide when put clear by a Rob Dickie through-ball.

The dangerous Placheta caused City problems down Oxford’s right and it was fitting that he should have the final say of the first half with a stunning strike.

It was so nearly 3-0 after 51 minutes when Long leapt to meet a right-wing corner and saw his downward header hit a post before being cleared. Mehmeti’s wonder striker two minutes later came just in time to rouse Bristol City fans starting to doubt their team.

Adam Randell sent a shot fizzing inches wide in the 66th minute with the home side on top. Both managers then made multiple changes and one of Oxford’s substitutes, Stanley Mills, brought a diving save from Vitek with his first touch.

Home supporters in a 23,440 crowd did their best to lift City, but Oxford dug in impressively and were well worth the points, with substitute Leigh sealing victory at the death.

The award-winning artist is currently underway with his 'Big Ass World Tour', which includes two dates in London.

If you were lucky enough to get tickets to see Post Malone at Tottenham Hotspur, check the support act, timings and more below.

When is Post Malone in London?

Post Malone will be at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for two nights, on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21.

What time do doors open for Post Malone at Tottenham Hotspur?

If you want to head down early to soak in the atmosphere before the singers take to the stage, you can at 5pm when the doors at Tottenham open.

What is the setlist for Post Malone?

Texas Tea

Wow.

Better Now

Lemon Tree

Wrong Ones

Go Flex

Broken Whiskey Glass (instrumental)

Hollywood's Bleeding

I Fall Apart

Losers (with Jelly Roll)

Goodbyes

M-E-X-I-C-O

What Don't Belong to Me

Feeling Whitney

Never Love You Again (with Sierra Ferrell)

Circles

White Iverson

Psycho

Finer Things

Pour Me a Drink

Dead at the Honky Tonk

rockstar

I Had Some Help

Sunflower

Congratulations

What are the set times for Post Malone in London?

The official set times for Post Malone in London have not yet been confirmed.

But based on past shows, timings are expected to see the show start between 7.30pm and 8.15pm.

The show will end by 10.30pm.

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Who is the support act for Post Malone?

Post Malone will be joined by special guest Jelly Roll known for songs, Wild Ones, All My Life, Best For Me and Save Me.

What is the bag policy for Tottenham Hotspur Stadium?

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has a restricted bag policy and requires all bags to be less than A4 in size (21cm long x 30cm high).

Highgate resident, Fast Show, Gone Fishing and Harry & Paul star and Spurs fan Paul Whitehouse was joined by ex-footballer Gary Mabbutt at the opening of The Ghost of White Hart Lane.

The monologue, which runs at Jacksons Lane Theatre until Sunday (July 27) explores a father and son relationship alongside themes of grief and loss.

Scotsman John White was one of the 1960s' top footballers, whose skills for passing and ball control - and habit of turning up unexpectedly in the opposition penalty area - earned him the nickname 'The Ghost'.

He was capped 22 times for Scotland; was part of the1961 Tottenham Hotspur team that won The Double (The Football League First Division and the FA cup) and the 1963 team that won the European Cup Winners Cup against Atletico Madrid.

But his career was cut short in July 1964 when he was fatally struck by lightning aged 27.

John White's son Rob joined playwright Martin Murphy at the Highgate theatre.

Based on Rob White's book, the play explores his journey to discover the father he never met - with Cal Newman's performance praised by critics for its "incredible energy" and "poignant exploration of loss and resilience".

The play is supported by Tottenham Hotspur FC and had its premiere at the club's stadium followed by a month-long run at the last year's Edinburgh Fringe.

John White was posthumously inducted into the Tottenham Hotspurs

Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

The Women's EURO 2025 final between England and Spain will be shown in the lower foyer at Jackson's Lane Theatre before Sunday's show which will start late if the match goes to penalties.

The week-long visit by Bengaluru’s Kickstart FC included training sessions, nutrition workshops and a masterclass with Spurs legend Ledley King.

The partnership was set up when Ledley visited Bengaluru with Ossie Ardiles in 2023 to help train local coaches and players.

“You could see how passionate they were about football when I went out to India with Ossie,” Ledley said. “There are some good players so it’s about reinforcing the small details that make a big difference.

“They’re eager to learn. Coming here to these world-class facilities and working with our top coaches is going to bring their game to another level.”

One of the players was 16-year-old Vivek, who is having football trials later in the USA after training in India and hopes to get a place at an American college.

Vivek said: “I was jumping up and down on my bed when I first heard Tottenham were our partners because I would train at these amazing facilities.

“It’s been a tough journey — but I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I started playing football when I was 11.”

This is the second year Vivek has visited to Tottenham, having made a good impression in front of Ledley and the other coaches when he was just 15. The sessions this time have helped him before going on to his college trials in the US.

Kickstart FC co-founder Laxman Bhattarai said: “It has been amazing since we signed the partnership with Spurs, bringing Indian football to another level and getting our talented youngsters to a global platform.”

His club finished runners-up in the Indian Women’s League and is now using the Spurs partnership to develop women’s football in the India’s state of Karnataka.

The partnership is having an influence on the Indian football landscape, especially with Vivek an example of how it’s developing young players.

Tottenham Hotspurs’ Global Development team helps around 45,000 players and coaches a year worldwide, in schools and grassroots youth football clubs.

The Spurs foundation has set up the nine-week programme, which includes robotics and sustainability for the global transition towards green energy by helping youngsters develop skills in science, technology, engineering and maths.

It is working with Schneider Electric - a French multinational corporation that specializes in digital automation and energy management - to run workshops on problem-solving and critical thinking.

“We need to inspire talent from an early age to harness the global energy transition,” Schneider Electric’s UK president Kelly Becke said.

“Environmental change is equipping the next generation with skills to develop efficient energy for a sustainable future.”

The programme offers apprenticeships for school-leavers in the Tottenham area.

It is also aiming at working towards 100 per cent renewable energy for all electrical equipment at the White Hart stadium, which includes the world’s first electric karting facility.

At the stadium, HM King Charles will highlight the charitable efforts made possible by the collaboration between the football club and the National Football League (NFL).

The King will meet various community groups and businesses that have gained from the new stadium's opportunities.

Among these are students from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), a co-sponsored state-funded high-achieving sixth form prioritising local students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He will also meet young people supported by The King’s Trust, a youth charity founded by The King as Prince of Wales in 1976.

Some of these young people participated in The Trust’s "Get into Security" programme with Tottenham Hotspur and are now employed at the stadium.

Before stepping onto the pitch, the King will meet Tottenham Hotspur FC women’s and men’s captains, Bethany England and Heung-Min Son.

He will also meet the longest-serving British NFL player, Efe Obada, and captain of Team GB Women's Flag Football team and NFL Global Flag Ambassador, Phoebe Schecter.

On the pitch, the King will observe a demonstration by young people partaking in The Huddle Project, a dual sport programme launched in 2023 by Tottenham Hotspur, the NFL, and Nike.

The programme provides access to free football and NFL flag activities, wellness experiences, and employment opportunities in Tottenham for boys and girls aged 11 to 18.

After the demonstration, King Charles will receive a replica of the club’s original golden cockerel statue from Tottenham Hotspur FC, and an American football from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans from the NFL.

He will then invite those involved in the programme to participate in a group photo.

Before his departure, the King will join a Huddle Project activation workshop within the stadium.

This workshop will see young people design football jerseys alongside representatives from Nike, showcasing the employability aspect of the programme.

His Majesty's visit underscores the far-reaching impact of the partnership between Tottenham Hotspur and the NFL, extending beyond sport into significant community benefits.