Sport

The Football Dad (Part One)

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Written by Tim Barnes-Clay

In the first of a three part exclusive FQ series, we join Indy Hair and his 10-year-old son Jay as they follow their favourite football club, Tottenham Hotspur.

Indy has signed Jay up as a One Hotspur Junior Member, which from just £8 for a season provides a host of unique father-son experiences. Part One sees Indy take Jay on a behind-the-scenes tour at the world famous White Hart Lane, which is free for One Hotspur Junior Members…

“I started supporting Spurs when I was 8 or 9 years old, and even though there weren’t as many games on TV as there are now. As soon as I saw them play, I knew they were my team – mainly because Glenn Hoddle was playing. 

“Coming from an Asian community, there weren’t too many people who went to football matches, but I found Spurs on my own when many of my friends supported other teams. Once I was old enough, I started going to games myself and now I have four younger members of my family who are Spurs fans. It was important for me to get my son involved with the club as it’s such a huge part of my life.

 Indy and Jay go behind-the-scenes at White Hart Lane.

“We live in West London and, again, as many of his friends support other teams, I didn’t want to force him to support Spurs. By signing him up as a member, he could see for himself what it was all about and make his own decision. So, I made him a member as soon as he was born!

“One part of the Tottenham Hotspur junior membership is a free stadium tour. Showing him behind the scenes and getting a look at the 1961 Double trophies is something money just can’t buy. We are a huge club with great tradition and it’s important for me to educate my son – and as we were going around on the tour, he was telling me stuff that I didn’t know!

“His dream is to play at White Hart Lane, so getting the chance to walk down the players’ tunnel, see inside the dressing rooms and sit in the dugout is like a dream come true for him. It really is a great family day out and the staff at the club were so friendly, helpful and informative, making sure we got the most out of the experience.

“Jay couldn’t stop talking all the way home about how he got to sit in Christian Eriksen’s seat in the dressing room and be so close to the pitch where his heroes play. I recommend that any father who wants to get their child into football takes them on a stadium tour, as it really is the next best thing to taking them to the match itself.”

To sign your child up as a One Hotspur Junior Member from just £8 for the season, visit the Tottenham Hotspur website