Happy returns for Skippy

Familiarity has brought back a feeling of contentment for Oliver Skipp on his return to Hotspur Way.

The Premier League announced a return to small group training last week. Step One of the Return to Training Protocol enables squads to train while maintaining social distancing, the first steps back to ‘normality’ as we all continue to tackle the coronavirus.

Academy graduate ‘Skippy’ may still only be 19, but he’s been a regular at our training base for years – and you can imagine his delight at driving through the gates and getting back on the pitches after two months in lockdown.

“It was great to be back,” said Skippy, who has featured another eight times in all competitions this season. “It certainly makes you realise how much you’ve missed it when you get back out there.

“It’s great to have that communication with the players again, and the staff, and seeing those familiar faces that I’ve known for so many years.

“That has brought back some normality in difficult times.

“It’s nice just to get out of the house! It has made me realise how lucky we all are and shows however much we all love football and what we do, something like the coronavirus puts it all into perspective.”

Skippy started his first games under Jose Mourinho just before COVID-19 struck in March and his performance against Norwich City in the FA Cup was described as ‘phenomenal’ by our Head Coach.

“I’d worked hard to get an opportunity and I was determined to make the most of it,” he added.

“To hear those positive words... it was a boost every player always needs. We’ll have to see what happens now. All I can do is keeping working hard.”