Social media was on fire when a photo of footballing legends Harry Kane and David Beckham went viral recently.
The photo showed an 11-year-old Kane meeting the superstar at the David Beckham Football Academy launch at London’s Buoy Wharf.
Also in the picture is Kane’s school friend Katie Goodland – who went on to marry the England captain.
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The couple also have three adorable children together.
But what you might not know is that this wasn’t a chance encounter.
Both Kane and Beckham went to the same school – the Chingford Foundation School in Waltham Forest in East London.
There must be something in the water in Chingford to produce two incredible football talents who both went on to become England captains.
In fact, Kane’s former PE teacher has said that the striker was inspired by the former Manchester United star after their encounter when Kane was in Year Seven.
Mark Leadon, the school’s head of PE, told the Press Association that when he started at the school in 1995 “very much the playground was all about David Beckham”.
He said that Kane had described Beckham as “an inspiration” when he went back to visit the school as an adult.
“It’s kind of turned almost like a full circle where I think Harry was inspired by seeing David’s progress to international stardom and now Harry is inspiring the next generation.”
Leadon also said that there was a “real buzz in the whole school” during the Euros, though unfortunately England didn’t manage to win it after losing to Italy on penalties at Wembley.
He even said he hears Kane’s name frequently mentioned by the schoolchildren in Chingford.
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“I walked past the music corridor and they were singing Three Lions On Your Shirt with gusto. It was absolutely lovely to hear.”
According to Leadon, Kane was a “model pupil” during his time at the London school.
“He was humble. He tried really hard not just in PE, but he also tried in English, maths, science, whatever it was he gave 100%,” said Leadon.
“He would always be a team player, so even though he was clearly the best player, he would pick the right pass, he would link play.”
Leadon hopes to invite both Kane and Beckham back to speak to pupils.
“If we get those two together, two England captains, I think it would just be wow.”
“I don’t think any other school has had two England captains so we are very, very proud of that fact as a school.”
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