THE healing hands of a Swindon therapist helped Tottenham Hotspur on their way to Wembley glory.

Full-time sports massage therapist Darren Beers from Blunsdon has been working at the North London club since last summer.

The 41-year-old says the 2-1 extra time victory against Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday was a dream come true.

"It was unbelievable," said the dad-of-two.

"The atmosphere was fantastic. It has to be the highlight of my career.

"The fans were great and it was lovely to see them waving their flags."

Ever the professional, Darren said he had a few celebratory drinks with his medical colleagues - but he didn't hit any nightspots with the players as he was on duty for a reserve game against West Ham the next day.

Darren, comes from Nottingham and is still a Forest supporter, but began his career in ice hockey with the Swindon Wildcats.

After that he spent three years with the British cycling team.

He has worked for Swindon Town and Portsmouth, and also has a sports therapist clinic in Blunsdon, "I have worked on all the first-team players at Spurs," said the former sports therapy lecturer at Swindon College.

"They are all really friendly, great lads. Jonathan Woodgate was over the moon that he scored.

"It was fantastic to link up with Guy Poyet, manager Juande Ramos's assistant, again.

"I knew him when he was at Swindon with Dennis Wise.

"He's such a likeable, outgoing character and very much a people person."

Darren, who is one of five sports therapists at Spurs, attends all the home games at White Hart Lane and travels to European matches.

He divides his time between a home in Chigwell, and Swindon, where his wife Jodie, and their children Charlotte, seven, and William, three, live.