‘He was a beast' – Barnet star recalls being outmuscled by Spurs ace at Wembley as side return to EFL after 7-year break
But the Barnet captain is hoping to put that and all his EFL experience to good use as the Bees return to League Two on Saturday after a seven-year absence when they host Fleetwood.
3
Anthony Hartigan tried his best to get the ball of Tottenham's Victor Wanyama in 2018
Play Dream Team now!
Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season
Free to play
Over £100,000 in total prize money
Play in Mini Leagues against your mates
Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw
Hartigan, 25, clocked 118 appearances in League One for
And he has also played at Wembley twice — including taking on Mauricio Pochettino's
He told SunSport: 'We got drawn away against Tottenham in the FA Cup so I had a unique chance to play at Wembley. It was an incredible experience to take on Premier League stars live on TV.
'I was only 17 and it was my breakthrough year. I'd only made my senior debut that season so to be walking out under the arch alongside the likes of Harry Kane was surreal.
Read More in Football
'Tottenham had a great team then. They also had Dele Alli, Eric Dier,
'I was up against Alli and Wanyama. I've got a photo of me trying to get the ball off Wanyama, which is funny because I'm like a skinny little boy and he was just a beast! I didn't stand a chance!
'Our manager Neal Ardley told us the next morning, 'That's the standard you must reach if you want to make it to the top.'
"They just do everything so well technically, tactically, physically and mentally. It's frightening how big a gap it is from our level.'
Most read in EFL
SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN
3
Luke Hartigan has found a new home with Barnet where he has returned to the EFL
3
Anthony Hartigan also faced Arsenal and Eddie Nketiah in the Carabao Cup
Hartigan was also on the losing side in the 2021 League Two play-off final with
Not only was the day soiled by the result but the crowd number was limited to only 9,083 because of Covid restrictions.
Neil Warnock hints at shock return to management with 'unbelievable' crisis club
Hartigan feels he has unfinished business in the EFL, having played regularly for the Dons.
But when he joined Mansfield three years ago, a shoulder injury wrecked his first season there before he was loaned for a year to Barnet, a move he made permanent last July.
However, he has found a home at the Hertfordshire club, starting 89 of his 90 league appearances — and winning the National League title in May.
Now he cannot wait to get his EFL career motoring again with the Bees.
He said: 'I had a bit of bad luck going to Manfield. It was the right club for me at the wrong time — but Barnet has definitely proved to be the right team at the right time.
'I've excelled here because there are good people around me, I'm getting games under my belt again and the whole environment has been excellent.
'We don't fear the jump into League Two because this team deserves to be here.
'On a personal level I want to reach the highest level I can and enjoy my football. I'm enjoying my journey with Barnet.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
36 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Son Heung-min confirms his time at Tottenham is coming to an end as a move to America beckons
Son has spent the last decade at Spurs and achieved his goal of silverware in May when he helped the Premier League team to Europa League success with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United. It ended a 17-year trophy drought for the club and South Korea captain Son explained his decision to target a 'fresh challenge' during a press conference in his home country ahead of Tottenham's pre-season friendly with Newcastle on Sunday. After Spurs arrived in Seoul on Friday, Son – following a remarkable 454 appearances and 173 goals for the north London club – confirmed his desire to depart this summer, with MLS outfit Los Angeles FC leading the race for his signature, the PA news agency understands. Son told a press conference: 'Before we start, I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer. Indo Sport Football LIVE | Premier League special | Tickets on sale now Newcastle make Benjamin Sesko bid with Alexander Isak's future 'complex' 'Respectfully, the club is helping me with this decision. 'It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career, such amazing memories. It was so hard to make this decision. He continued: 'I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change – 10 years is a long time. 'I came to north London as a kid, 23-years-old, such a young age. I leave the club as a grown man, a very proud man. 'I want to say thanks to all the Spurs fans for giving me so much love. I hope the goodbye is also good timing and this is the right time to make that decision. I hope everyone can accept and respect that.' New Tottenham head coach Frank confirmed Son would start and be captain in Sunday's friendly with Newcastle at Seoul's World Cup Stadium. It could be Son's final appearance for Spurs, despite the UEFA Super Cup fixture with Paris St Germain in Udine on the horizon on August 13. Frank said: 'It's very clear that Sonny will start and lead the team out as captain. If that is the last game for Sonny, what a place to do it here in front of his home fans. It could be a beautiful ending.' Son joined Tottenham in 2015 from Bayer Leverkusen and after a tricky debut campaign, he quickly became a fan favourite and subsequently a modern-day Premier League great due to his consistency and personality, clinching the golden boot award in the 2022-23 season, but he is now set to exit after 10 years in north London.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
League Two clash STOPPED as players leave pitch after freak injury to official and announcer asks for qualified referee
AN EFL match has been delayed following an injury to a match official. Shrewsbury vs Bromley was suspended and a call was made around the ground for a replacement official 1 Shrewsbury vs Bromley was delayed following an injury to the linesman Credit: Getty One of the linemen reportedly pulled his hamstring and was unable to continue. The fourth official took his place on the touchline and an announcement was made asking for a qualified referee. One was found ten minutes later and the match was able to resume. The players went inside as the fourth official warmed up to take over the linesman duties. It is one of several matches to be delayed today with another League Two clash between Newport and Swindon pushed back before it even kicked off. An Kick-off was postponed until 4pm - an hour later than scheduled. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. Most read in EFL The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video . Like us on Facebook at
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Newcastle make Benjamin Sesko bid with Alexander Isak's future ‘complex'
Newcastle have made an official bid to sign RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko after boss Eddie Howe admitted the situation surrounding unsettled star Alexander Isak was 'far from ideal'. All eyes are on St James' Park right now as the Premier League club look to keep the Swedish sharpshooter while also attempting to bring in a big-name striker. The PA news agency understands Newcastle have accelerated talks with Leipzig to sign Sesko – who Manchester United also have in their sights – and submitted an offer reportedly worth up to £69.7million. The development comes after the Magpies rejected a £110m bid for Isak on Friday from Liverpool, who recently beat them to the signing of Frankfurt frontman Hugo Ekitike. Alexander Isak scored in Newcastle's Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool (Owen Humphreys/PA) 'I think from my situation, I am very much removed from everything that is happening back home,' Newcastle boss Howe said on Isak. 'I was made aware that there was a bid yesterday. That bid was turned down all before I even heard about it, so I think there's people back in England dealing with the situation. 'I really don't know what's going to happen next, but from our perspective we still support Alex in every way, and my wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again.' Isak did not travel to Asia for Newcastle's pre-season tour due to what the club called a 'minor thigh injury', only for talk of his unhappiness to emerge. My wish is still that we see him in a Newcastle shirt again Howe admitted 'you don't know what's going to happen from this point' and, surprisingly, that he found out that the 25-year-old was training with former club Real Sociedad through the media. 'I know where he is, really, through the media, so I think from that perspective it's difficult for me to go into any kind of detail,' the Newcastle boss said. 'The situation is far from ideal and it is quite complex. I think that's all I have got to say.' Howe was speaking at a press conference in Seoul previewing a friendly against Tottenham and was tight-lipped when quizzed on Newcastle's pursuit of Slovenia international Sesko. Newcastle and Manchester United are both pursuing Benjamin Sesko (Bradley Collyer/PA) The manager said 'he can't talk about individual targets' in the wake of reports in the striker's homeland overnight claiming that the 22-year-old wants to move to St James' Park rather than Old Trafford. Newcastle have now reportedly made a 75m euros (£65.4m) bid to Leipzig, with a further 5m euros (£4.3m) in potential add-ons. Howe said: 'We are looking for the best players that we can get. Whatever our target position is, we're looking for the best, so I see all situations open and available to us. 'I feel that's the only way that we're going to get to where we want to go, which is to maximise, and it's quality over quantity. It always has been. Final session out in South Korea. 👊 — Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 2, 2025 'That's always been the way that we try to work and try to recruit, and I think we've done it pretty well to this point. 'It's been a challenging summer, as you know, because we've missed out on various targets for loads of different reasons. 'But we're still very competitive and we're still in there trying to bring very good players to the club and that won't change until the window shuts.'
