Tottenham Hotspur players and staff delighted young football fans at North Middlesex University Hospital when they visited to drop off some early Christmas presents.

Manager Andre Villas-Boas accompanied Jermain Defoe, Etienne Capoue and Gylfi Sigurdsson to the Rainbow ward at the hospital in Sterling Way, Edmonton, yesterday.

The head coach made a special visit to patient Stanley Goodbody, who has been a Spurs fan for 90 years.

Video courtesy of Tottenham Hotspur FC.

The visit was organised by the club as part of its annual trip to deliver Christmas presents to local hospitals including Barnet hospital, Princess Alexandra, in Harlow, and Whipps Cross.

Mr Villas-Boas said: "It’s important for us to reach out, particularly during the festive period.

"Just by turning up and putting a smile on the faces of the children through our gifts – it’s wonderful for them and this small gesture is important.

"Obviously not everything that we can do is going to take them out of the troubles that they are suffering and the pain that they are going through but at least it will put a smile on their faces.”

Jermaine Defoe said: "This means the world to us. We are in a position where we can give something back and make the kids happy. It’s Christmas as well – we can give them presents which is always nice. Etienne is new this year and he’s loving it – and it’s great for the kids. We make them happy, so we’re happy."