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Nephew is a World Cup star

Michelle McKenna
6/ 7/2006

ACCRINGTON sports coach Don Lennon had more reason than most to get behind the England squad in this year's World Cup - his nephew is winger Aaron Lennon.

The 19-year-old, who plays for Tottenham, is the son of Don's brother Winston, who lives in Leeds.

Aaron made sub appearances early in the competition, earning rave reviews, and came on to replace injured skipper David Beckham in Saturday's ill-fated match against Portugal.

Don, 38, who lives on the Spinner's Walk Estate, teaches PE at St Augustine's High School, Billington, and is a multi-skills community coach, who works at schools and venues in Hyndburn.

Don, who watched all of the earlier matches on TV, said: "When he came on against Trinidad and Tobago it was quite surreal. To see the Lennon name on an England shirt was quite breathtaking.

"We always knew Aaron was Premiership class but winning an England place was a shock. He has shown he is worth his place while he has been out there.

"He is a very laid-back lad and his confidence has grown while he has been at Tottenham."

Aaron's immediate family have been out in Germany throughout the competition and Don flew out to join them at the weekend for the quarter final match against Portugal.

He said: "It was a bit disappointing but it was just one of those things."

Don said that his famous nephew, who he described as "quiet" and "placid", has been attracting a lot of attention. He added: "All of the children at my school are asking for his autograph and keep asking if he is coming to visit."

The Lennon family are a sporty bunch and Don's 15-year-old daughter Leigh - a Hyndburn Athletic Club member - is one of the top young middle distance runners in the country.