They thought it was all over when a thieving youth football coach pocketed cash paid out by parents for their children to see a Premier League match.

But with the help of the Kentish Gazette, the boys’ dream came true on Saturday as they enjoyed pitchside seats at Wembley for Spurs’ clash with Cardiff.

This newspaper stepped in to help after Chartham Football Club coach Clinton Hunter stole the £2,520 families had originally forked out for the trip.

But the group, including 29 youngsters, still got to enjoy their special day after Tottenham answered the Gazette’s appeal for help.

The club treated the boys, parents and coaches to a VIP day, with Southeastern providing the train travel.

“It was an unbelievable day - absolutely incredible and we can’t thank Tottenham, Southeastern and, of course, the Gazette enough for making it happen,” said Chartham Sports Club chairman Mark Mowbray.

“We were given VIP treatment and were met by Spurs legend Ledley King, which was a great thrill. To see the excitement on the boys’ faces, some of whom had never seen a Premier League match, let alone been to Wembley, was a picture after they were let down so badly.”

Hunter had originally organised the trip but used the money handed over by families to pay his own debts before telling them it had been cancelled, blaming the tour company.

Parents grew suspicious after they failed to get their money back. Hunter later admitted the thefts and was given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to repay the money he took from parents.