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They’re just wild about Harry Kane

He’s a nice, polite 23-year-old from Essex who loves his childhood sweetheart. He’s also one of the world’s best strikers. In an era of spoilt, superstar footballers, Harry Kane really is the odd man out

Harry Kane playing for England against Russia at Euro 2016
Harry Kane playing for England against Russia at Euro 2016
PA
The Times

It’s home time at Henry Maynard Primary School in Walthamstow, east London, and children stream out of the front gates, holding their parents’ hands. I’m moving against this tide, heading towards the school buildings and trying to keep my eyes peeled. Because somewhere around here is Harry Kane. I walk past the staff car park and spot a sleek Range Rover, incongruous among the Micras and Polos. The Tottenham Hotspur and England striker arrived at lunchtime to meet the pupils, sign autographs and talk about healthy eating, all the usual stuff. The plan is that, once the kids are gone, we can sit down and do an interview.

Or at least that had been the plan. Only, on the way to Walthamstow, I learn this