As featured on NewsNow: Football news

West Ham striker Antonio still close to Tooting & Mitcham Utd

West Ham United striker Michail Antonio still uses the facilities of his local non-league club.

For all his success, which included an international debut with Jamaica at the start of this month, the 31-year-old striker has never forgotten where it all began - in the Isthmian League with Tooting & Mitcham United.

"The relationship between Michail and the club is ongoing," Ashley Bosah, Tooting's manager, told BBC Sport.

"He comes in during the off-season and does some fun activities with the youth team - and his family is closely related to the club, so they hold a fun day during the summer.

"In the off-season, Michail hires the facilities out for his own individual programme too.

"You can see he is a humble character because he is still able to come down and be around the guys. When he is around, you get a sense there is no ego and is someone who comes down and engages with everyone.

"He is approachable. We try not letting the kids get too excited because he is there for his own training sessions - but when he has the time, he sits down to speak to coaches and others."

Video of the day:

Chris Beattie
About the author

Chris Beattie

×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

  1. Go Ad-Free
  2. Faster site experience
  3. Support great writing
  4. Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free
×

Subscribe and go ad-free

For only $10 a year

Subscribe now
Launch Offer: 2 months free