'He Was a Beast' – English Footballer Recalls How Victor Wanyama Humbled Him at Wembley

Barnet captain Anthony Hartigan has gone down memory lane on his encounter with former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has 118 League One appearances for AFC Wimbledon and another 20 for Newport and Mansfield in League Two, recalled a humbling experience facing Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in 2018 in an interview with The Sun.

Victor Wanyama was among the players who humbled him at the time, as he played for the Premier League side from 2016 to 2020.

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Antony Hartigan said that they had drawn Tottenham away in the FA Cup, which gave him a unique chance to play at Wembley.

He said it was incredible to face Premier League stars live on TV. Then, just 17 and in his breakthrough season, Hartigan remembers the surreal feeling of walking out alongside players like Harry Kane.

Anthony Hartigan faced a formidable Spurs midfield, including Dele Alli and former CF Montreal star Victor Wanyama.

“I have a photo of me trying to take the ball off Wanyama,” he laughed. “I look like a skinny kid next to him – he was a beast! I didn't stand a chance!

“The next day, our manager, Neal Ardley, told us, ‘That’s the standard you need to reach if you want to make it to the top.’ They were just so good technically, tactically, physically, and mentally. The gap between our levels was frightening.”

Antony Hartigan also experienced Wembley heartbreak in the 2021 League Two play-off final, where Newport lost to Morecambe in front of a Covid-restricted crowd.

After a shoulder injury hampered his time at Mansfield, Hartigan found a home at Barnet, making 89 league appearances and playing a key role in their National League title win last season.

“Mansfield was the right club at the wrong time, but Barnet has definitely been the right team at the right time,” he reflected. “The environment here is excellent, and I’m enjoying my football again.”

Looking ahead, Antony Hartigan is confident about Barnet's return to League Two. “We don’t fear the jump. This team deserves to be here. I want to reach the highest level I can and enjoy the journey.”

He is eager to utilise his EFL experience as the Bees return to League Two this Saturday after a seven-year absence. Their first match back will be against Fleetwood.