Exclusive: Ex-Spurs Youngster Pheonix Patterson on Training with Kane, Son, and Top Stars
Rising star Phoenix Patterson hopes his Tottenham Hotspur rejection will fuel his football dreams. The forward spent 12 years at Spurs but was released after just four appearances, leading him to impressive performances with Irish outfit Waterford and a professional deal with Fleetwood Town.
Image Credits: Medium
Rising star Phoenix Patterson hopes his Tottenham Hotspur rejection inspires him achieve his football dreams.
Early Days and Tottenham Journey
The highly rated forward was snapped up by Spurs when he was a youngster and spent 12 years with the Premier League club.
But he was released after just four appearances in two seasons having graduated from the youth ranks, all of those games having come in the EFL Trophy.
It was little surprise the then teenager wondered where his career was heading. But impressive displays in success seasons for Irish outfit Waterford – which included 17 goals in 31 league appearances in his second season for the club - earnt a professional deal with Fleetwood Town.
Image Credits: Inside Futbol
Spurs Exit and Reflection
Patterson impressed for the Lancashire side in League One last season – and now the ambitious 23-year-old is now hungry to take the next step in his career.
“I was at Spurs from when I was seven until I was 19,” Patterson told SportsBoom.com.
“I had a few trials and I picked Tottenham, from then I was there for a long time after that.”
“I’d been involved a long time and seen a lot of change. It was really good and I loved it there, but things happen and you’ve got to move on.”
“That’s what happened and now I’ve found my way to Fleetwood.”
I was playing for my local team when I was a kid and after one of the tournaments I was playing, quite a few clubs approaching my parents about wanting to sign me.
Pheonix Patterson
From Kane and Son to Mourinho and Poch
Patterson was at Spurs when Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pocchetino were in charge, and he got to train with top stars including Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Harry Winks, fuelling his hunger to one day play in the Premier League.
“I was there when they were both there, I think Mourinho was the last manager there before I left,” reflected Patterson.
“It was amazing because I did train with the first team quite a bit, so it was great learning curve.”
“Being around Pocchetino – and what he drives in training – the standards, and also how tough Mourinho is in training, it was such a great experience.”
“His eye for detail was just another level, it helps you in the rest of your career because it instils in you those standards.
“Kane, Son and Winks were all there. You see them doing it on TV, but it’s in training that, when you’re up close with them, that you really get to see how sharp they are, technically good and how professional they are as well.”
“You barely see them make a mistake, I got to see how efficient and effective they are.”
It also helps you to give everything every day – and to make sure you’re on it 24/7.
Pheonix Patterson
From Kane and Son to Mourinho and Poch
Patterson was at Spurs when Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pocchetino were in charge, and he got to train with top stars including Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Harry Winks, fuelling his hunger to one day play in the Premier League.
“I was there when they were both there, I think Mourinho was the last manager there before I left,” reflected Patterson.
“It was amazing because I did train with the first team quite a bit, so it was great learning curve.”
“Being around Pocchetino – and what he drives in training – the standards, and also how tough Mourinho is in training, it was such a great experience.”
“His eye for detail was just another level, it helps you in the rest of your career because it instils in you those standards.
“Kane, Son and Winks were all there. You see them doing it on TV, but it’s in training that, when you’re up close with them, that you really get to see how sharp they are, technically good and how professional they are as well.”
“You barely see them make a mistake, I got to see how efficient and effective they are.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.