Former Spurs captain Ledley King launches free football sessions (From Haringey Independent)

Ledley King launches free football sessions in Tottenham's Ferry Lane Estate

2:30pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News By Hermione Wright

Former Spurs captain Ledley King visited a Tottenham estate yesterday to launch a free football programme aimed at tackling crime.

The retired defender showed young players his skills on the pitch during the first of a series of training sessions for five to 11-year-olds living on the Ferry Lane Estate.

The training sessions, called Mini Kickz, will run every Tuesday and Thursday between 4pm and 5.30pm to encourage young people to stay away from trouble by focusing on football.

King said: “Speaking to one of the coaches here, I was alarmed to know that even at the age of ten or 11, young people are becoming involved in gang activity, and we need to do everything we can to prevent that happening.

“Working closely with the foundation, I get to meet a lot of genuinely good kids but many lose their way in life mainly down to a lack of opportunities and boredom.”

The former footballer said the programme gives children at a younger age the chance to play sport, meet friends and stay active, which all contribute to a “better future life”.

The sessions, paid for by the Postcode Trust, build on the Kickz football sessions run by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation to help young people aged 12 to 16 from disadvantaged communities.