He played against many of the footballing greats.

But now former Spurs ace David Howells has been in town to add a bit of star quality to a kids’ football coaching project in Hepworth.

Howells, a midfielder for Tottenham and Southampton in the 1980s and 1990s, won the FA Cup with Spurs in 1991. He retired from the game in 2000 because of a knee injury.

David Howells puts his arms around Teddy Sheringham Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United FC Football

Now 46, he is a PE teacher at a Surrey junior school and has recently been appointed head coach of the first team at top independent school Charterhouse in Godalming, Surrey.

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Hepworth United Junior Football Club organised three days of football coaching and sports activities at its Far Lane ground this week.

Howells, a friend of club supporter Malcolm Bailey, came up on Friday and led coaching sessions and organised a tournament and penalty shoot-out competition.

Friend to the stars Malcolm, who has recently moved to the area, was previously master in charge of football at Charterhouse School.

Around 40 youngsters between the ages of eight and 13 attended each day, many coming from outside the village.

There were girls as well as boys and various games and activities not just football.

Youngsters enjoyed meeting Howells and he autographed photographs of himself from his playing days.

One of the club coaches, Ann Taylor, said the event had been a big success.

Hepworth United Juniors soccer coaching. Former Spurs star David Howells pictured with the juniors.
Hepworth United Juniors soccer coaching. Former Spurs star David Howells pictured with the juniors.

“We were just trying it out but it’s been so popular we’ll have to make it an annual event during the summer holidays,” she said.

“We were full every day. If we had promoted it properly we would have been inundated.”

The club is anxious to build a new clubhouse on the Far Lane site. Currently teams change in cramped conditions at the club in the village centre.