Under-17 cup final will be “unbelievable occasion” – Stuart Lewis
Fri 11 April 2025, 12:32|
Tottenham Hotspur
Stuart Lewis believes tonight’s Under-17 Premier League Cup final represents another chance for our young players to learn how to play under pressure.
We take on Charlton Athletic at Stevenage, live on SPURSPLAY, in what is our fourth youth team Premier League Cup final in just three years – we memorably won the Under-17 and Under-18 tournaments against Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa back in 2023, having lost out to Manchester City in the previous year’s Under-17 final.
Of the team that lined up against Forest in the equivalent fixture two years ago, six players have gone on to make competitive first team debuts for us and with another stern test in front of us tonight, coach Stuart has underlined how high-pressure games like this can really help players to shape their careers.
“To have another brilliant evening and expose the players to a big game at Stevenage is something we’re really looking forward to, because it gives everyone a great experience,” he said.
The cup run we had two years ago and also the one we’ve had this season exposes the players to high-pressure moments and you need that in development.
“I think this type of opportunity is vital. I speak to the players who have transitioned into the first team environment after playing these types of games – whether that’s here or on loan – and you can see it.
“We’ve had six competitive debuts from the team that played at Nottingham Forest two years ago – we’ve got Mikey Moore, who has obviously been around the first team squad for this season, Jamie Donley and George Abbott who are having brilliant seasons out on loan at Leyton Orient and Notts County respectively, Alfie Dorrington who is on loan at Aberdeen but also made his first team debut here, Damola Ajayi and Callum Olusesi as well. I think that’s testament to those boys but also the experience of that big occasion and a demand to win – we want to win the game, of course.
“The cup run we had two years ago and also the one we’ve had this season exposes the players to high-pressure moments and you need that in development.
“Now we head into this match against Charlton and, as always, we show full respect to the opposition. We’re just really excited for the game – it’s a massive night for the Academy, for us as staff, the players, their families and also the Club as a whole. They’re brilliant evenings and to be part of that and taking part in a final, it will be an unbelievable occasion.”
Tickets for tonight’s game at Stevenage’s Lamex Stadium cost just £5 for adults and £2 for under-18s and are available online in advance or at the ground this evening.
Kick-off is at 7pm, with live coverage on SPURSPLAY beginning shortly before that.
