Full-back Tariq Hinds was at Spurs as an Academy player for a number of years, up until leaving them at the end of his contract in the summer of 2020. The Goodmayes born footballer who is capable of playing at full-back on either flank, or in central-midfield, was a player who was consistent in my opinion, and also very reliable during his time as a Spurs Academy player. Hinds signed scholarship forms with Spurs during the summer of 2016, and he would make his first competitive appearance of the season for the Spurs Under 18 side in a 5-1 home league win over Aston Villa in the August of 2016. Making good progress during that 2016/17 season, Tariq also stepped up to play for the Spurs Under 23 side on occasions during that season. The then first year scholar had a memorable game against Swansea City at Under 18 level during 2016/17, when he scored a brace against them, while playing in central-midfield. Tariq helped Spurs’ Under 18 side reach the final of the Under 18 Premier League Cup, during the following 2017/18 season, when he was a regular and important player for the Spurs Under 18 side for the second consecutive season.

Hinds stepped up permanently to the Spurs Under 23 side during the 2018/19 season, when once again I thought that he did well on a consistent basis. A good all-round full-back, who reads the game well and is tenacious, but who also is a really good and skilful footballer who has good pace and who likes to take players on. Tariq is a real team player and one who will always give his all for the team. He reads situations really well, and is always alert. And his versatility and ability to comfortably play at full-back on either flank, or in midfield, is something which is really impressive. During his final season at Spurs (2019/20), Tariq played almost every game for the Spurs Development side, and he often filled in at left-back because Dennis Cirkin was injured for quite a bit of that season. A really determined player, Hinds provided two assists for Wayne Burnett’s side during that season, and he put in very good performances for the Under 23 side against the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton. However, he was released by the club at the end of the 2019/20 season, and he would then unfortunately spend some time without a club.

Tariq decided to try a new footballing culture and he joined Portuguese side Lusitano Évora, and he played there for a while during the 2020/21 season, in what must have been a really good experience for him. He returned to England for the beginning of this season, and he joined National League South side Billericay Town, in October of 2021. The now 21 year old has made 11 league appearances for Billericay since joining them, and he seems to be doing well for them. His most recent appearance for them came as recently as Tuesday, when he played for them against Slough Town, in the National League South, in a game which ended 1-1. Teammates of Tariq’s at Billericay, are former Spurs players Shaq Coulthirst and Jack Munns. Tariq also plays in the same league as former Spurs Academy player Maxwell Statham. Billericay are currently in bottom place in the National League South, but hopefully they can stay up. I wish Tariq all the very best of luck for the remainder of the season, and for his future in the game.