The Pitching In Isthmian Football League

Hammer heads home to inspire

12 Mar 2016 By David Watters

West Ham star Michail Antonio is hoping to inspire the next crop of stars coming out of Tooting & Mitcham United on Tuesday night.

After kicking off his career at the KNK stadium as a junior and youth team player back in 2007, the 25-year-old winger has been a regular visitor ever since and is returning to South London for a training session with the Ryman South club’s current crop of aspiring youngsters.

Born and bred in Wandsworth, Antonio signed for the Terrors as a 17-year-old after a successful trial with the club’s youth team before scoring on his first team debut in a 3-0 win at Wealdstone in September 2008 and again in each of his next three games.

Antonio was snapped up by Championship outfit Reading for an undisclosed fee less than a year later before going on to play for Cheltenham Town, Southampton, Colchester United and Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

In 2012, he signed for Wednesday on a permanent deal before joining Nottingham Forest in 2014 and sealing his big move to the Premier League with West Ham in September 2015 on a four year deal.

Images courtesy of the TheFA.com & Tooting & Mitcham United

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Where next?

Saturday's Ryman Premier action review Hampton & Richmond Borough enjoyed a good Saturday as their 2-1 win at Burgess Hill Town saw them take a five-point lead in the Ryman Premier after second-placed East Thurrock United`s defeat at Leatherhead by the same scoreline, writes Pitchero's Steve W

Follow the action on live scores! Follow Bognor Regis Town's bid to reach the FA Trophy final at Wembley and a full programme of action from across the Ryman League on Saturday's live scores service.