Ridgeway Rovers YFC have been celebrating the commemoration of Harry Kane, one of England’s most celebrated footballing icons, after Waltham Forest Council unveiled a statue at Peter May Sports Centre recently to honour his remarkable achievements.

From humble beginnings in grassroots football to captaining England, Harry’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of dedication, resilience and the support of a thriving local football community. He began his football journey at Ridgeway Rovers, and he’s continued to inspire countless young players with his exceptional skill and leadership. Harry’s statue is now positioned in Walthamstow, next to the pitches where he once played on as a boy.

His grassroots club played a pivotal role in shaping his early career, providing him with a foundation to rise through the ranks. The unveiling of the statue comes just days after Harry added to his England legacy, a goal in their recent victory against the Republic of Ireland on his 103rd appearance. This means he is now on 69 goals for the Three Lions as he continues to extend his lead at the top of the men’s senior team’s list of all-time record goalscorers.

Ridgeway Rovers, where Harry first honed his skills, remain proud of their role in nurturing his talent. The club’s dedication to developing young players is evident in his impressive rise, inspiring the next generation of footballers to dream big. “I was at the club in Harry’s early days while he was at Spurs Academy,” said Ian Marshall, Chairman of Ridgeway.

“We were always getting reports of his progress coming via Dave Bricknell, who was Chairman at that time. My first day as Chairman after Dave stood down in 2011 was at our club presentation, where there was a young, shy chap who had just signed pro terms with Spurs. His name was Harry Kane. He gave out over 160 trophies, smiling in every photo. One particular parent made a point that she was disappointed that the guy was no-one she’d ever heard of!”

“Harry has regularly returned to the club over the years, including to film for the Spurs Foundation. He left the 100 kids gobsmacked when I told them the reason they were there was actually standing behind them - they turned around and there was Harry! More recently, he invited a number of our players to the Museum of London, where he had a display where we, as a club, were featured.”

“He never told the kids he was actually going to be there himself! He is one of the best strikers on the planet at this time… and it all started at Ridgeway Rovers FC. We are very proud of Harry’s achievements, recently and throughout his entire career. The statue will be a permanent reminder that a player can achieve their goals if they work hard and follow their dreams.”

Harry’s statue takes its place as a symbol of excellence and emphasises his enduring impact on the nation. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of grassroots football in shaping the stars of tomorrow. His journey from Essex pitches to Wembley Stadium illustrates the vital role that clubs, coaches and volunteers play in building the foundations for success.

We celebrate Harry Kane’s remarkable achievements and looks forward to seeing more grassroots players follow in his footsteps. Browse the menus above to find out more about getting involved with your local grassroots football club. You can also find the Essex County FA on X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.