Dad of Spurs mascot Ella Markham defends daughter from trolls again in wake of Everton game

Ella Markham with her father Neil

The father of Spurs fan Ella Markham has defended his daughter after she was subjected to further abuse online following her appearance as club mascot.

Ella, 16, who has Down's syndrome, was invited by star striker and England captain Harry Kane to be a mascot for the club's final Premier League game against Everton on Sunday.

Her father Neil, 43, shared a video of Ella dancing in the crowd during the match, with the caption: "She's off!"

But he later shared screenshots from his Twitter account, showing the abuse his daughter had received.

Harry Kane shared this sweet photo with Spurs mascot Ella Markham. (Twitter / @HKane)
Twitter / @HKane

In one post, he slammed a user for abusing his daughter. He then blocked him saying: “You spineless coward.”

To one user he wrote “call me” and to another, he wrote: “I’ve asked you to reply". He called the bullies “low life scum.”

Ella became the target of vile bullying on social media when her father posted a video of the 16-year-old dancing after Spurs' defeat to West Ham on 27 April.

Mr Markham has said he refuses to delete his account or turn off Twitter, but instead will confront trolls to “protect” his daughter.

After seeing trolls returning to comment after the match, he told the Standard that he wants to dwell on the "supportive positive comments and not the bad."

"I have almost got used to it but it doesn't mean I will stop challenging it," he added.

"You only have to look at my Twitter account to see most people saying something nice.

"I wasn't surprised by the comments again. It is personal to me. If they weren't saying personal things, I would not get involved.

"But at the end of the day it is Ella they are talking about."

Earlier this month, Kane delivered a message of support to Ella and invited her to attend the final game of the Premier League season.

In a video clip, he added: “We know you’re family are proud of you. We know you’re a big fan and would love for you to come down and be a mascot for the last game of the season against Everton.

“Keep dancing, keep doing what you’re doing, Lots of love.”

Ahead of Sunday's match, he posted a photograph with Ella, who was dressed in the team strip, showing the pair with their arms around each other.

He wrote: "Amazing to meet Ella before today's game. So positive and inspiring!"

Mr Markham replied: “Wow! Thank you so much for making this happen. Special day for our family. England captain, spurs legend and Ella’s hero.”

After the match on Sunday, Mr Markham added that the club were amazing and "really gave the children a day to remember."

"I do not know how many times I nearly burst into tears," he said.

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