Times Series

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.

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 Tottenham Hotspur Foundation has launched the new science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) zone at its Percy House headquarters, which sits next to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Designed to boost hands-on education opportunities for young people in the local area, the facility will host industry-led workshops and offer formal qualifications.

Xavi Simons visited the zone during a recent tour of the area, joined by club legends Ledley King and Michael Dawson.

Pupils from Lea Valley Primary School were among the first to use the space, taking part in LEGO and robotics activities, while students from the Haringey Learning Partnership (HLP) competed in esports.

Gerry Robinson, executive head at HLP, said: "As a relatively small provision, our resources are quite limited, particularly around STEM and computer equipment, but it’s what many of our children are really passionate about and can really engage them in education.

"Having a space like this that they can come to in the local area is wonderful."

A study by Haringey Council said attainment and participation in STEM subjects were well below London and national benchmarks.

Andrew Wands, education manager at the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, said: "We know young people in our community have incredible potential, but often that potential goes untapped due to lack of access to the right opportunities.

"Our new STEM learning zone is about changing that."

The facility will be supported by STEM ambassadors from the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham (LAET), the club-sponsored sixth form based on the stadium campus.

Jan Balon, head of LAET and a trustee of the foundation, said: "We have students who are interested in going into STEM-related careers and being able to get involved in this kind of project will be amazing."

Plans for the learning zone were drawn up with support from Creative Hut, specialists in STEM education.

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.

Hamza Palas, a 10-year-old fan from Enfield, appeared at Tottenham Hotspurs’ White Hart Lane stadium as Rory the life-size mascot of the hospice in High Barnet.

Hamza’s sister Gulirem, who is now 14, has anemia, epilepsy and microcephaly. Appearing in front of thousands of football fans was a special honour for the family.

“It was a lovely day for us,” Hamza’s mum Betul Arapoglu said. “We wouldn’t have had the chance to do this without the hospice and are grateful to everyone who donates.”

The November 16 game was dedicated to the hospice, which has been supporting the family since 2012 with music therapy and home support volunteers.

Spurs fan Roscoe Mahoney from Islington was invited onto the pitch with his 12-year-old son Arthur at half-time to chat to MC Paul Coyte in front of the huge crowd.

Arthur’s twin brother Ray suffered a bleed on the brain when he was born which affected his development. The family have been supported by Noah’s Ark since the twins were six months old.

Roscoe said: “It’s not every day you get to stand on the pitch at Spurs — we had an amazing day thanks to the hospice.”

Children in the crowd were given Noah’s Ark flags while hospice staff got involved waiving a huge flag in Spurs colours.

Noah’s Ark chief executive Sophie Andrews was also invited onto the pitch for a chat with Paul Coyte.

She said afterwards: “To have this match dedicated to us feels really special, to be the official charity of Tottenham Hotspur and not just because I’m a huge fan!”

A video was shown on the big screens of the recent visit to the hospice by Spurs’ players Bethany England and Hayley Raso to meet the children.

Volunteers were in the stadium collecting donations from well-wishing fans to help meet Noah’s Ark running costs caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting or threatening conditions.

The hospice supports families in the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington as well as neighbouring Hertsmere in Hertfordshire — but it needs around £6 million every year to keep running.

The children they played with at Noah's Ark Children's Hospice included six-year-old Willow, who was diagnosed with Type 2 Spinal Muscular Atrophy when she was just 18 months old.

Willow was the star of the charity’s recent ‘From that Moment’ campaign, supported by Tottenham Hotspur FC, that has raised £1 million to help meet the annual £6m running costs.

“It was so great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces in spite of the challenges they are facing,” Bethany said. “We learned about the incredible care that Noah’s Ark is giving to these families.”

Bethany's teammate Hayley Raso was also impressed by the hospice facilities. She said: “The building is absolutely beautiful — it was a joy to meet with some of the families supported by the charity.”

The hospice in High Barnet supports babies, children, and young people with life-limiting or threatening conditions to make the most of every day.

One of the parents, Simon, whose daughter Ruby is supported by the hospice, said: “Ruby loves coming to Noah’s Ark and always gets excited when we are driving over.

“So many lovely memories have been made here. It was lovely meeting Beth and Hayley who took the time to play with Ruby and Willow — even getting in the ball-pit.”

Spurs men’s team vice-captain James Maddison toured the facilities earlier this year when he looked round the Therapies wing and accessible playground then gave the families a hamper of Spurs-themed games and toys. He also dedicated his annual golf day to the hospice in May that raised £75,000.

Noah’s Ark takes referrals from the London boroughs of Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington, as well as from Hertsmere in Hertfordshire.

Spurs’ north London Derby fixture against Arsenal Women on November 16 is being dedicated to Noah’s Ark. Fans can donate through volunteers in the White Hart Lane stadium and outside Seven Sisters Underground station in Tottenham.

Wellwishers can also help Noah’s Ark by sending a “NOAH” text to 70490 to donate £10 at one standard network rate message.

The club’s number one goalie helped run an all-day ‘football camp’ using coaching methods with drills and exercises for 40 boys and girls aged eight to 13.

“Sometimes the biggest excitement as a kid is to score rather than to save,” Vicario said. “But maybe this changes as time goes on, seeing so many young keepers enjoying being between the posts.

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“Their passion for football reminds me of my time as a kid playing and not thinking too much — just enjoying the game.”

The session, held in the grounds of Richard Hale School in Hertford was part of Spurs development programme that helps around 45,000 aspiring players and coaches a year, run by FA and UEFA-qualified professionals.

Tottenham landed Vicario for £16 million last year, the price tag club chairman Dan Levy wanted to pay for his new No 1 goalkeeper.

West End theatre is coming to Tottenham with free performing arts workshops for youngsters paid for by Spurs.

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