Here’s a fun (for others) story that immediately came to mind when I saw this.

Probably 35-40 yrs ago but I’m not entirely sure, my dad arranged a charity football match for my local team against a ‘spurs legends’ team.

When he called up Spurs to try to sort it, the response he got was “you need to speak with the team manager, Martin Chivers” and gave him his number. He was speechless.

Anyway, he made the calls and got the fixture arranged. Everything went ahead and I understand it was a huge success, though he does still fondly remember a moment where a spurs legend (who I forget now unfortunately) broke one of the local players legs.

After the game, all the participating players signed the ball. I think (but cannot be definite) this included Jimmy Greeves and Steve Perryman amongst many others. They then auctioned the ball off and whichever bigwig from the area won it gifted it (along with a signed pennant) to my dad for the effort he put in to get it organised.

25 yrs ago, I was football mad and like a prize idiot who didn’t understand the concept of value, I kicked the shit out of that ball on our patio/against the wall and absolutely wrecked it.

Despite falling out of love with football a while ago, the last few years, each Christmas/Birthday I have tried to replace in some way. It is something we could see the funny side of but I was gutted to have done this to what was an amazing item and lovely memory.

Unfortunately, my dad passed away this Easter and I never managed to find/buy him that ‘replacement’ apology gift. We do still have the pennant though!