In an age in which we continue to hear so much about our ‘anxious generation’, it’s heartening to read about one young individual who hasn’t been incapacitated by angst.

We live in a time when whole swathes of young people believe they are mentally ill-equipped to face the demands and rigours of the outside world – it was revealed on Tuesday, for example, that the number of people diagnosed with ADHD receiving disability benefits had increased by 40 per cent since Labour came to power. So we should be encouraged by the story of one man who hasn’t quailed when confronted with life’s inevitable challenges.

Through a dedicated regime of self improvement he pulled himself up through sheer perseverance: Gordon became an avid reader of motivational books and incorporated boxing into his strict physical regime

Through a dedicated regime of self improvement he pulled himself up through sheer perseverance: Gordon became an avid reader of motivational books and incorporated boxing into his strict physical regime

Step forward the footballer Anthony Gordon, the England left-winger, aged 25. His star performance in the previous World Cup clash against Mexico, and his ethos and life story so far, should serve as example to all people his age and below. Indeed, it’s a lesson for all of us, irrespective of vintage, who sometimes........

© The Spectator