But although his gamble has paid off, Assou-Ekotto says today he regrets not completing high school.
Assou-Ekotto is keen for his philanthropy, rather than his sporting success, to be his lasting legacy.
Daniel Sturridge levelled for Bolton and soon after, Cahill went down in the penalty box under Assou-Ekotto's challenge.
BBC: Bolton boss Owen Coyle incensed by referee after defeat
If you look at the Spurs first team, left-back would be a problem for me with Benoit Assou Ekotto.
The 20-year-old received a second yellow card from referee Mike Dean for tripping Spurs left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto after 75 minutes.
Assou- Ekotto, who joined Tottenham from French outfit Lens in the summer of 2006, comes from a fine footballing pedigree.
Not surprisingly, Harry Redknapp made two changes at half-time, Jermain Defoe and Niko Kranjcar brought on for Assou-Ekotto and David Bentley.
Disinterested with learning in the classroom, Assou-Ekotto dropped out of school at the age of 16 to pursue his sporting ambition.
As Ferguson prepared to send Paul Scholes into the action, Rafael was sent off for his second yellow card after tripping Assou-Ekotto.
Assou-Ekotto's footballing education came from watching matches with his dad, who was an astute mentor, passing on the nuances of the sport.
Clattenburg awarded Tottenham two early spot-kicks, then booked Bolton's Gary Cahill for diving after he appeared to be tripped by Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
BBC: Bolton boss Owen Coyle incensed by referee after defeat
Boa Morte hurt his right knee after catching his studs in the turf at the Beijing Workers Stadium following a tackle with Spurs' Benoit Assou-Ekotto.
With the African Cup of Nations scheduled for early in 2010 Spurs decided that cover was needed for left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto who was to represent Cameroon.
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"Every weekend when I was about 10 I go with him to see football and to play football and then I said, it's a good job, " remembers Assou-Ekotto.
But Tottenham, with Alan Hutton and Benoit Assou-Ekotto impressive at the back, comfortably contained a Chelsea attack that had routinely devastated defences in the early days of the season.
But Bale was given a second chance in January when Cameroon left-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto left for the Africa Cup of Nations and the Cardiff-born player has not looked back since.
Campbell wriggled clear of the attentions of Sebastien Bassong and Assou-Ekotto and burst into the box, before going over an appalling forward's challenge from Luka Modric, who simply hung out a leg.
But an injury to the Cameroon international defender has given Bale the opportunity to shine, with Redknapp rewarding his performances a more advanced attacking role on the left once Assou-Ekotto returned to fitness.
Clattenburg then controversially resisted the temptation to award another penalty - instead booking Cahill for simulation after he went down under Benoit Assou-Ekotto's challenge in the box, although replays suggested there was contact.
Whitehead went three minutes later for his second booking, but Stoke leveled on 64 as winger Matthew Etherington scored from the penalty spot against his former club after fullback Benoit Assou-Ekotto fouled striker Paul Kitson.
However, a succession of injuries - including a broken foot and a knee problem - have stalled Bale's progress in north London, while Redknapp preferred Benoit Assou-Ekotto at left-back in the first half of this season.
With the visitors unable to find any foothold in the game, Jordan Henderson jinked through into the area and fell under a challenge from Benoit Assou-Ekotto but the penalty shouts were waved away by referee Lee Mason.
United were forced to play the last 16 minutes without young Brazilian defender Rafael, who received a second yellow card for a foul on Benoit Assou-Ekotto, but they survived as Spurs were unable to muster the attacking threat that has made them such an impressive force at home and abroad this season.
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