Tottenham U21 players' amazing gesture to young fan that has made Wayne Burnett 'immensely proud'

Tottenham Under-21s boss Wayne Burnett has stated he is "immensely proud" of his players for the "social responsibility and compassion" they have shown to a young supporter. , Burnett revealed that he had received a message a few months ago from a mother who comes along to games with her 10-year-old son Jacob.

Under-21 matches at the Lamex Stadium in Stevenage play a big role in Jacob's life as it is very much his happy place due to being bullied at school and also his troubles with dyspraxia. Burnett shared this message with his Under-21 players and they subsequently adopted the youngster as their No.1 fan, regularly greeting him at games and even offering him words of encouragement.

remain in contact with Jacob despite now playing their football elsewhere. Jacob has recently missed out on a couple of fixtures but the Spurs players have ensured he still remains a big part of things after sending him a video message.

were just some of those who could be seen in the video as they thanked Jacob for his support and claimed their latest win was for him. Following the video, Burnett received a poem from Jacob's mother that the youngster had penned last season when coming to games.

It highlighted his struggles at school but also the important role Tottenham's Under-21s play in his life. The actions of the players has made Burnett incredibly proud and he has outlined just how powerful sport can be for people.

"A few months back, I received an email out of the blue from a mother who comes along with her 10-year-old son to watch our U21 games at Stevenage," wrote Burnett. "She told me about the troubles her son had been going through with dyspraxia and being bullied at school, and explained to me that he found solace in coming to our matches at the Lamex. She said that the only time her son was happy was when he would come to our matches, because he felt safe and among friends there.

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"I shared this powerful message with our players. We were all touched by this young man's bravery and sad to hear about what was happening to him at school. It underlined to us that what we do can have a profound impact on people's lives.

"We invited him along as our guest at one of the games last season - he is the nicest young man you could wish to meet. The players adopted him as our number one fan, regularly greeted him and gave him some words of encouragement. Some have kept in touch with him even after transferring to a new club in the summer.

"This is something that makes me immensely proud. This is how our young players should carry themselves - they are good people first and foremost. The boy, whose name is Jacob, has been unable to attend the last couple of matches, so the players decided to send him a video message to remind him that we are always here for him.

"There is more. After we sent the video, Jacob's mum sent me the attached poem, which unbeknown to us, Jacob had written last season while coming to our games. This is heartbreaking, first and foremost. But it also makes me proud to know that in some small way, we can play our part to help a young person overcome adversity.

"We sometimes get caught up in life and forget what's important. Like I said, I am so proud of the sense of social responsibility and compassion that our players have shown to this young supporter. Most importantly, I have been informed that our number one fan is doing well at school these days. He has overcome so much and he should be an inspiration to so many."

Burnett finished off his tweet by stating: "Whoever you are, whoever you support, please be kind. And don't underestimate the power of sport."

My Happy Place by Jacob, age 10

I am so lonely, I am so sad, the people I thought were my friends well they just make me feel sad.

They say horrible things, they punch and they kick, they say that I'm stupid, they say that I'm thick.

They say no one cares, that they wish I would die, then they laugh harder if this makes me cry.

The days seem so long and sometimes all I want is a break but what they don't know is I have an escape.

A place called the Lamex where Spurs academy play, where I can be me and have a safe play to stay.

Where I can get lost in the time on the pitch and a football is the only thing that gets kicked.

Where Luca can save all worries with a catch, where my thoughts are no further than the next match.

With Jude and Tyrese balling and Wayne at the helm I find an escape from this living hell.

George is there with a killer block and I want to stay I want to stop the clocks.

I wish I could stay here forever I say, I feel safe here and happy and I want to stay.

It helps that we are like really really good, we're gonna win it all I think, I mean we really could!

Things will get better, Yago always says, and I hope that they will one of these days.

But for now I have them, and they have me, so you'll find me there happy as can be, just me and mum and we will cheer so loud. You'll find me there, happy in the crowd.

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