Footballers often dream of grand achievements, but for Harry Winks, his dream was simpler yet profound: to play for the England national team. Born to Anita and Gary, and affectionately known as “Little Iniesta,” Harry’s story extends beyond the pitch. Did you know he carries both English and Spanish heritage, with his Spanish roots coming through his mother and grandparents? His family’s football passion is equally notable, with lifelong support for Spurs dating back to their 1984 UEFA Cup victory. This article explores Harry Winks’ story in depth, focusing on his background and personal journey rather than just his career stats. Let’s dive into the heart of his story.
Unveiling Harry Winks: A Look at His Background, Family, and Football Aspirations
In a nutshell, our biography of Harry Winks offers a comprehensive look at his journey from childhood to his moment of fame. We delve into his early life, family background, and the events leading up to his rise to fame, providing insights into his personality and the lesser-known aspects of his story. While many are familiar with his charming looks, small stature, and technical skills, few know the full story behind this intriguing footballer. So, let’s dive in and explore Harry Winks’ fascinating journey.
Harry Winks Childhood Story – Early -Life and Family Background:
For starters, in his Biography reading, his full name is Harry Billy Winks. Harry Winks was born on the 2nd day of February 1996 to his mother, Anita Winks and father, Gary Winks, in Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom.
Harry was born to a football-loving family. His father, Gary Winks, was a former semi-professional footballer who played for Hemel and Berkhamsted.
The Winks family had been lifelong Spurs supporters since 1984 after the Spurs’ UEFA Cup win.
Speaking of family history or origin, Harry Winks comes from a family of Spanish descent through his mother and grandparents.
He is, however, proud of being British through his dad. Harry grew up with his little sister Milli, who he is very protective of.
Young Harry Winks with his sister Milli, sharing a moment of love during their childhood days.
Whether at home or bonding with his cousins, Harry, pictured below, would always look out for his sweet little sister.
Young Harry Winks and his siblings.
Today, it’s really amazing, and I’m so proud of Milli seeing her big brother, who was once her closest companion and partner in crime, achieving so much success in football.
At the time of writing, nobody in the world has a strong bond shared between Harry, Milli, and their mum, Anita.
Career Buildup:
Speaking of being a Spurs fan, Harry’s dad Gary once said:
Of course Harry is a Spurs fan, that was forced on him by me!
Harry, just like his mum and dad, had been a Tottenham Hotspur fan even before he started playing football. Harry attended his memorable first match at White Hart Lane when he was six years old.
Seeing the likes of Michael Carrick, Robbie Keane, and Teddy Sheringham motivated him to start kicking anything which looked like a soccer ball.
Speaking about her son’s football experience as a child, Harry Winks’ mum Anita once told the Gazette:
“Even as a small child Harry would play with a rolled-up sock. He’d be dribbling it everywhere all the time.
Then he moved onto a tennis ball. He’d always be kicking it all around the house, driving me mad!”
If it is not kicking a soccer ball around or inside his family home, Harry would be seen posing around nearby posters of David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Behold the young boy with big dreams. One of Harry’s best memories was taking this photo in front of his heroes.
Despite Harry’s love for Spurs, he decided to glue himself with the England shirts and shorts. Looking at his photos above, you’ll observe they were his favourite jersey items.
The England dream of Harry was alive on this day. He was once pictured at the back of a Truck beaming with pride in his England jersey.
Little did Harry know he was going to wear it someday. At the time of writing, the England national jersey suits him very handsomely.
Early Football Life:
Harry’s potential was first spotted at the age of 5 when his parents enrolled him at the roster of Ross & Andy’s Soccer Camps. He further went on to play with Echoes FC in Hemel Hempstead, where his natural talents became well known.
Harry was known as someone with good energy, and despite his slender frame, he would still get about the pitch with good stamina. Early on, Harry had his early soccer education with the prestigious Cavendish School, where he graduated at the age of 11.
Harry Winks Biography – Early Life at Spurs:
Thanks to his technical ability to handle the ball as a kid, Harry was recommended by his tutor at Ross & Andy’s Soccer Camps to attend the Tottenham Hotspur trials. He passed and enrolled at the club. Even at Tottenham academy, many clubs still courted him as a youngster.
Harry Wink’s parents, Anita and Gary, were keen to stress the many sacrifices that Harry has made during his early days at Tottenham. First, as a young teenager, Winks suffered from growing injuries and back troubles.
Despite that, the academy chief McDermott had faith in the little boy just as he did with late developers, such as Harry Kane and Andros Townsend. Even Teddy Sheringham took a close interest in young Winks, and Scott Parker emerged as a mentor.
The Big Decision and Rise to Fame:
In order to dedicate his life to his dreams, Harry decided to move out of the family home at age 16 to live close to the Spurs training ground. The decision wasn’t an easy one for the Winks family. According to his mum Anita,
Harry had to change, mentally. He was very homely, and moving out at that age was very hard. All three of us – me, Gary, and Milli stood and cried as he shut the front door in front of us.
Harry’s parents would only see him one evening a week. According to Harry, moving from the family home to live with people he had never met was probably the hardest thing he had done in his whole life.
Harry went on to live in Southgate, a suburban area of north London. He stayed with a nice married couple named Lesley and Matt, whose home was close to the Spurs youth training ground. Luckily, Matt, who was a driving instructor, taught Harry how to drive.
Harry Winks Biography – Rise to Fame:
Winks’ determination to become a professional didn’t go as a passing fantasy. On 27 July 2014, he signed his first professional contract with Tottenham after impressing Mauricio Pochettino, who severally watched videos of his performances.
Pochettino saw Harry as a player similar to his Spanish brothers Xavi and Iniesta. He also looked at him as being completely different from his midfielders, namely Victor Wanyama, Mousa Dembélé, and Moussa Sissoko.
Harry’s first league goal celebration showed how he and Mauricio Pochettino had developed a strong bond since their first encounter. Shockingly, Harry got called up for England despite making only four starts in the Spurs league. Gareth Southgate picked him thanks to his passing record.
The rest, as they say, is now history.
Harry Winks Love Life:
Did You Know?… In every teen movie, the girl would most times fall for the popular footballer. At some point in that girl’s life, deep down, there is always a wish to date a star player.
Unfortunately, Movies hardly show us the downside of dating a football player. This is one sole reason why Harry has been single during the early years of his senior career.
Harry’s first relationship story came at the age of 22 (July 2018) when he was spotted with a British reality show lady, Rosie Williams, who is four years his senior. The pair were once spotted leaving a 5-star hotel, London’s Shangri-La hotel.
In the photo, Harry appeared to be the perfect gentleman for Rosie as he held the door open for her. This was a time when Rosie had just been dumped out of the British Love Island reality show. Stepping out in a stylish yellow blazer, the Welsh lady had to put on a very leggy display for the man she admired. Only time will tell if Harry will take her as a girlfriend or a wife.
Personality:
Harry was born shy and quiet, but on the other hand, he can be eccentric and energetic on the field, like his former colleague Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. As observed from his youthful days, He is someone who could easily adapt to a change of environment or any new energy that surrounds him.
Did You Know?… Unlike some footballers, Harry Winks doesn’t get so much closer with fans. This was because he was once paid evil for doing good. Now let me tell you what really happened!
Harry was once spotted in a club in Watford by a fan, who seriously begged the midfielder for a photo with Winks, not knowing the ulterior motive.
Shockingly, that same fan named Nikhil Shah posted the photo on his social media page exposing Winks going clubbing despite nursing an injury.
The fan also went as far as attempting to get in contact with The Sun to discuss a sale of the photo, which probably went through.
Below is a snapshot of what the simple-looking but evil-minded Nikhil Shah wrote after uploading the photo on his Instagram account.
This explains the reason why Winks doesn’t get so much entangled with fans, especially in the wrong places. Despite all the efforts to gain cheap popularity, Shah got ruined by fans for trying to out Winks. A CoD Fan: Harry considers himself addicted to the Call of Duty game.
Winks is a massive Call of Duty fan.
Harry is not as addicted as Hector Bellerin, who once played CoD for 30 hours a week. The game wizard did that despite meeting up with club training demands.
Fact Check:
Thank you for diving into the story of Harry Winks, one of the Leicester City players poised to make an impact in their 2024/2025 Premier League campaign. We aim to provide accurate and fair accounts of English footballers, and we hope you find our pieces on Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Joe Willock just as engaging. If you spot anything that seems off or have any suggestions, please let us know by leaving a comment below. We value and appreciate your feedback.
