West Ham United F.C. Under-23s and Academy
The Academy of West Ham United F.C. is recognised as one of the most successful in modern football, hence its nickname the Academy of Football.[2]
| Full name | West Ham United Football Club (Under-23s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Irons The Hammers The Academy of Football | |||
| Short name | WHU U23s | |||
| Ground | Victoria Road, Dagenham, London, England | |||
| Capacity | 6,078 | |||
| Owner | David Sullivan (51.1%) David Gold (35.1%) Other Investors (13.8%)[1] | |||
| Manager | Dmitri Halajko | |||
| League | Premier League 2 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League 2 Division 2, 1st (promoted) | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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The introduction of the FA's new Academy system in 1998 has placed even more emphasis on the developing of young homegrown players and today the youth system at West Ham is more important than it has ever been.[3] With the influx of many foreign players in the Premier League during modern times, West Ham United has been regarded as one of the few remaining clubs in top flight to continue producing and playing homegrown English players.
The Under-23 team is the most senior of West Ham's youth squads. The Under-23 team is effectively the club's second-string side, but is limited to three outfield players and one goalkeeper over the age of 23 per game following the introduction of new regulations from the 2012–13 season.[4] They play in Premier League 2 and also compete in the Papa John's Trophy.
The Academy of Football
'The Academy of Football' , or just 'The Academy', is a nickname of West Ham United.[5][6][7] The title pays homage to the success of the club in coaching talented young players.[6][7][8] The title, originally attributed to the club by the press, has since been officially adopted by the club and is displayed in several prominent places around the stadium such as being printed beside the club crest on the artificial surface surrounding the pitch at Upton Park.
The original tribute intended to reference the entire culture of the club, in much the same way as the Liverpool "Boot Room". It was not solely reserved for the education of young players, but also for the development of a modern approach to football from the roots up, as inspired by the success of the Hungarian national team featuring Ferenc Puskás that had humiliated England 6–3, and the great Real Madrid side of the late 1950s that dominated the European Cup.
Academy history
The 'Academy of Football' term was first used in the early years of Ron Greenwood's reign as West Ham manager (1961–1974). Greenwood had inherited a young team of players from Ted Fenton and the club was noted for its reliance on home grown talent with Bobby Moore, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, John Lyall, Ronnie Boyce, John Sissons, Alan Sealey and Harry Redknapp all in the first team or periphery. Further foundations had been laid with stalwart Ken Brown at the back, Malcolm Musgrove on the left wing (who was to leave in the second season), and the addition of John "Budgie" Byrne up front.
The true heritage of this side, however, owed its pedigree to the practices put in place by the previous manager.
Fenton was praised as a forward thinking manager. He pushed for the establishment of "The Academy" that brought through a series of young players to augment a side that could not be improved with the limited finances available. Two of the signings he did manage to make were those of John Dick and Malcolm Allison. Other players of the day included John Bond, Dave Sexton, Jimmy Andrews and Frank O'Farrell (later swapped for Eddie Lewis) and Tommy Moroney all part of an original 'Cafe Cassettari' club started by Fenton as a result of the restrictive budget.[9]
There [Cafe Cassettari], Allison would hold court and the players would exchange views on the game and make tactical plans around the dinner table, illustrating their ideas with the use of salt and pepper pots. The culmination of those years of hard work, on and off the field, was the Second Division championship in 1958 – the springboard to great cup successes at a much higher level in the mid-60s ... no one should underestimate the positive influence of Malcolm Allison's earlier role in Hammers' history.
— West Ham Club History, John Hellier[10]
Cassettari's Café sat opposite the Boleyn Ground, and Fenton organised a deal that saw meals and a warm welcome for the players of the club at a price the club could manage. It became a place for routine discussion of the team, and ideas and wisdom freely passed back and forth.[11] The tradition of mentorship lasted long into the 1960s even after Fenton had moved on and saw future managers John Lyall and Harry Redknapp pass through.[10] West Ham, with meetings at Cassettari's Café, soon gained a reputation for producing managers via playing for the club including Malcolm Allison, Noel Cantwell, Frank O'Farrell, John Bond, Dave Sexton, Jimmy Andrews and Malcolm Musgrove.[12]
Fenton introduced continental ideas to the team, revamping training methods and taking inspiration from higher ranked teams, and even inspiring some. Fenton had been impressed greatly by the all conquering Hungarians of the 1950s led by Ferenc Puskás and the Cassettari program and development of the academy were at the core.[11] Ernie Gregory said (of the 1950s diet) "We'd usually eaten fish or chicken and toast before then, but Dr. Thomas advised us all to eat steak and rice two hours before kick-off. All the other clubs copied us after that".[13] However, not all the changes were strictly down to Fenton, Musgrove attributed much of the training regime to Allison, going so far as to state that once the players were at the club (signed by Fenton) they were pretty much Allisons property.[14] As well as being a student of the game himself, Fenton encouraged all players to take coaching badges and it's notable that many of his former players went on to coaching and managing roles after they retired.[15] The Academy also involved, beyond the routine training and development of the youth and squad, actual tactical discussions between the players.[9]
At this time, three players who had come through the West Ham youth development system were seeing some success in the England squad; they were Bobby Moore who debuted in 1962, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters.
In 1966, these players played a part in England's victory in the World Cup.
Moore was the most well-known of the three. He captained the England squad and was later named by Pelé as the "greatest" of all the defenders he had played against.
In the World Cup final against West Germany in which England won 4–2, Hurst scored the only hat-trick ever scored at a World Cup final match, and Peters scored the other goal. This gave rise to the West Ham supporters' partly tongue-in-cheek terrace chant:
When West Ham beat West Germany.
Peters one and Geoffrey three,
A bronze statue of these three players (and Everton defender Ray Wilson) holding the Jules Rimet Trophy aloft was erected in 2003 at the junction of Barking Road and Green Street close to Upton Park.
During the next thirty years West Ham's youth academy produced many professional players. Notable Academy "graduates" during this time include Frank Lampard Sr. and (later Sir) Trevor Brooking, who both featured in the club's 1975 FA Cup win with a team composed solely of English players; no club since has repeated this accomplishment.
Since 1973 the Academy has been managed by Tony Carr, himself a "graduate" but whose career was cut short by injury.
Paul Ince played his first game for West Ham in 1986, and went on to win more trophies than any other Academy "graduate", albeit with Manchester United.
Premier League era
In 1996, the reputation of the Academy began a fresh revival with the arrival of Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard Jnr. That year, the West Ham youth team reached the FA Youth Cup Final, losing to a Liverpool side inspired by Michael Owen. However, both Ferdinand and Lampard would see success in subsequent years.[16][17]
In 1999, the West Ham youth team won the FA Youth Cup, beating Coventry City 9–0 on aggregate. The team featured Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. Ferdinand and Carrick played against Lampard and Cole when Manchester United met Chelsea at the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final.
Recent Academy "graduates" include Glen Johnson, Billy Mehmet, Freddy Eastwood, Anton Ferdinand (younger brother of Rio), Elliott Ward, Mark Noble, Jack Collison and James Tomkins.[18]
Relationship with West Ham United
The Academy is an important part of the club's identity and a regular source of players for the first team. When the club was relegated from the FA Premier League in 2003 the sale of young Academy stars arguably saved the club from financial disaster. It has been argued that if West Ham had kept all of their Academy "graduates" since Rio Ferdinand, they would currently be among the very top English teams.
With their promotion via the Championship Play-Offs in 2005 West Ham have returned to England's top league. Three Academy "graduates" had been key players in this achievement; Anton Ferdinand, Elliott Ward, and Mark Noble. In the 2007–08 season, manager Alan Curbishley handed three graduates, Jack Collison, James Tomkins and Freddie Sears, their debuts.
Gianfranco Zola, who previously worked with the Italy U-21's, stated his desire to continue the club's tradition of using homegrown talent. Noble, Tomkins and Collison all went on to play an important part as West Ham beat relegation to finish 9th in the 2008–09 season. Under him, Zavon Hines and Junior Stanislas have impressed after the August 2009 League Cup match against Millwall where they both scored in a 3–1 win.[19]
West Ham as a 'selling club'
A case may be made that West Ham has been a 'selling club' in recent years, that is, a club that provides quality players to other clubs for profit but does not have the prestige or financial means to keep those players for the benefit of their own team. This reputation probably began with the sale of Rio Ferdinand to Leeds United in 2000. Since then, West Ham have sold six Academy "graduates" for transfer fees totalling over £50 million (including £18 million for Ferdinand, who was later sold on to Manchester United for £30 million).[20] This amount has traditionally been much greater than the club's own spending on players (most of which was financed by the above income), and many of the players found success with financially stronger clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United who are two of the English clubs capable of competing on a different level to most other teams.[21]
Though not a club, the England national team has included various academy apprentices or graduates in recent years, including Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe and Glen Johnson, as well as John Terry who spent part of his development with the club.[22][23]
Quotes
"The crowds at West Ham have never been rewarded by results but they keep turning up because of the good football they see. Other clubs will suffer from the old bugbear that results count more than anything. This has been the ruination of English soccer." – Ron Greenwood, West Ham manager 1961–1974.[24]
"No way is it all down to me. It's very difficult to say why we've been so successful in youth terms; I suppose it's down to a number of factors but, most importantly, our recruitment area of east London and Essex is really fertile." – Tony Carr, director of Youth Development at West Ham 1973–2010, quoted in an interview published by The Daily Telegraph 14 June 2004.[24]
"Why should we sell Rio Ferdinand? Are we a Premier League club or are we just a feeder club for bigger clubs? If we start selling players like Rio, where is the club going to go?" – Harry Redknapp, West Ham manager 1994–2001.
"The biggest single contributor to the current England national squad is not Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea, but the West Ham Youth Academy." – ITV Football article, 13 September 2004.
Reserve team history
The West Ham United Reserves Team was founded in 1899 as Thames Ironworks Reserves and they changed their name to West Ham Reserves in 1900. They joined London League Division One in the season 1899-00. In 2007–08 they were FA Premier Reserve League Southern Division runners-up on goal difference.[25]
'A' team
Between 1948 and 1956 West Ham entered an 'A' team into the Eastern Counties League.[26] In 1952 they also began playing in the Metropolitan League. After leaving the ECL they remained in the Metropolitan League, winning the League Cup in 1957–58 and the Professional Cup in 1959–60, 1966–67 and 1968–69. They left the league when it merged into the Metropolitan London League in 1971, and instead entered a youth team into the South East Counties League, which they won in 1984–85, 1995–96 and 1997–98, before leaving when the FA Academy system was set up in 1998.[26]
Under-23 team
The West Ham United Reserves competed in the Premier Reserve League South until relegation from the Premier League. The side is now classed as a development squad coached by Dmitri Halajko and Steve Potts. Friendly games were usually played at Chadwell Heath and other clubs training grounds.
Since the 2012–13 season, the team have played in the Professional Development League (now branded Premier League 2) for players under the age of 21 and a restricted number of over age players.[27] Most home matches are played at Dagenham & Redbridge's Victoria Road ground, with three fixtures per season played at the London Stadium.[28][29]
Current squad
Players (excluding scholars) who will qualify as U23s in season 2020–21 and who are outside the first team squad.
- As of 7 September 2020[30]
- U18 represents an U18 squad player who has represented the U23s in the 2020–21 season.
- U16 represents an U16 squad player (a non-scholar) who has represented the U23s in the 2020–21 season.
- Squad numbers represent numbers given to players for first team and EFL Trophy matches only.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Under-18 team
The West Ham Under-18s play in the U18 Premier League South. Home games are staged at Little Heath, Hainault Road in Romford, Essex. Tony Carr, a former West Ham player himself, was the youth academy director from 1973 to 2014.[31] They have won the U-19 title twice in 1998–99 and 1999-00, when the Academy League was split into the U-17s and U-21s.[32]
Current squad
- As of 25 September 2020[33]
- U16 represents an U16 squad player (a non-scholar) who has represented the U18s in the 2019–20 season.
- † represents a player who represented the U18s in the 2019–20 season before later leaving the club.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
- Premier Academy U19 League: 1999, 2000[32]
- South-East County League: 1985, 1996, 1998[32]
- FA Youth Cup: 1963, 1981, 1999[32]
- Premier League Cup: 2016
Notable players
Alongside West Ham's aforementioned representation in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, the club also produced Clyde Best, Ade Coker and Clive Charles through their academy - with the trio making Football League history, by becoming the first three black players to start a game in the competition. Coker scored the second in the game against Tottenham Hotspur, on 1 April 1972, securing a 2–0 win for West Ham.[34]
International capped players
First team graduates since 2000
Since the turn of the century, every permanent first team manager has enabled a player from West Ham's youth teams to represent the first team. The following table shows every player to have made at least one first team appearance in all competitions. Players highlighted in green are still contracted to West Ham.
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Other players
These players either trained at the Academy but never played for West Ham first team or trained at multiple clubs in their youth. Only permanent spells are shown.
- Sol Campbell made his debut at Tottenham Hotspur in 1992, and became a regular England player in the late 1990s. In 2001, when his contract ran out, he joined Arsenal. Campbell was a regular player for club and country, and has won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup three times while with Arsenal. He was named in the official Euro 2004 All-Star squad by the UEFA technical group.
- Career: 1992–2011; Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Notts County, Newcastle United
- International caps: 73 caps, 1 goal (
England)
- John Terry was schooled by both West Ham's and Chelsea's youth teams at different times. His debut for Chelsea was in 1998 and became captain of the side in the 2003/2004 season. The following season he helped Chelsea set a new record, the side having conceded only 14 goals in the entire league season. He was also voted PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2005.
- Career: 1998–2018; Chelsea, Aston Villa
- International caps: 78 caps, 8 goals ( England)
- Kieran Richardson started with the West Ham youth academy but was picked up by Manchester United's youth academy as a teenager.
- Career: 2002–2016; Manchester United, Sunderland, Fulham, Aston Villa, Cardiff City
- International caps: 8 caps, 2 goals ( England)
- Freddy Eastwood was previously a trainee at Southend United but moved to the West Ham Academy at age 15. He was unable to break into the first team and was released by then-manager Glenn Roeder. After starting out at non-League side Grays Athletic, he eventually worked his way up the league, signing for Championship sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Coventry City. He represented Wales, qualifying through his grandmother.
- Career: 2002–2015; Grays Athletic, Southend United, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City
- International caps: 11 caps, 4 goals (
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Wales)
- Jlloyd Samuel joined West Ham from youth club Senrab, later moving to Charlton Athletic. Samuel later signed for Aston Villa, making 169 Premier League appearances at the club, as well as 71 league appearances for Bolton Wanderers, before playing domestic football in Iran.
- Career: 2002–2015; Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Esteghlal, Paykan, Egerton
- International caps: 2 caps, 0 goals (
Trinidad and Tobago)
- Fitz Hall was released by West Ham at the age of 15, initially playing in non-league and the lower leagues, before signing for Southampton in 2004. Hall later signed for Crystal Palace, captaining the club. Hall signed for Queens Park Rangers in 2008, making 85 league appearances for the club. Hall retired in 2014, following a two year spell with Watford.
- Career: 2000–2014; Barnet, Chesham United, Oldham Athletic, Southampton, Crystal Palace, Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, Watford
- Billy Mehmet was signed at the age of 8 years old and remained at the club until he was 19 years of age. During his time at West Ham, Mehmet was given his debut by Harry Redknapp at the age of 16 during a testimonial game. Mehmet was seen as the academies next promising graduate and was rewarded by being handed the captaincy of the reserve and youth team. Mehmet was released by the club at 19 years old by the then manager Glenn Roeder after the club was relegated. He then transferred to Dunfermline Athletic in the SPL, before moving onto St Mirren. After his time in Scotland, Mehmet later played in Turkey, Australia, Thailand, India and Singapore. Mehmet represented Northern Cyprus at the 2018 ConIFA World Football Cup.
- Career: 2003–; Dunfermline Athletic, St Mirren, Gençlerbirliği, Samsunspor, Perth Glory, Bangkok Glass, Dempo, Kedah FA, Sarawak FA, Tampines Rovers, DPMM, Merit Alsancak Yeşilova
- International caps: 5 caps, 4 goals (
Northern Cyprus)
- Jimmy Bullard began his senior career in non-league, after playing in the youth set-up at West Ham, before re-signing for West Ham. After two years at the club, without making an appearance, Bullard signed for Peterborough United. Bullard won promotion to the Premier League with Wigan Athletic. Bullard spent a total of six seasons in the Premier League, with Wigan, Fulham and Hull City
- Career: 1997–2012: Corinthian, Dartford, Gravesend & Northfleet, Peterborough United, Wigan Athletic, Fulham, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Milton Keynes Dons
- Kortney Hause spent eight years in West Ham's academy, moving to Birmingham City, before making his senior breakthrough at Wycombe Wanderers. In 2019, Hause made his debut in the Premier League for Aston Villa.
- Career: 2012–: Wycombe Wanderers, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa
International
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English 2nd tier or below
References
- "ownership West Ham United". whufc corporate information. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
- West Ham, USL develop partnership USL Soccer
- West Ham United Academy – History West Ham United FC
- "Barclays U21 Premier League: Competition Format explained". premierleague.com. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
- "Sky Sports profile". Skysports.co.uk.
- "London Net Club profile". Londonnet.co.uk.
- Tony Stevens. "Sky Sports profile". TheFA.com.
- "In The News Club profile". inthenews.co.uk.
- Tony McDonald. "Frank O'Farrell Talks exclusively to "Ex", Issue 7". Ex-Hammers.com.
- John Hellier. "Club History". WHUFC.com.
- Andy Newman. "The Ingratitude of Real Madrid". Socialist Unity Network.
- "Cassettari's Café..." They Fly So High. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- Tony McDonald. "Ernie Gregory Talks exclusively to "Ex", Issue 5". Ex-Hammers.com.
- Tony McDonald. "Malcolm Musgrove Talks exclusively to "Ex", Issue 8". Ex-Hammers.com.
- Julie Welch (20 April 2006). "John Lyall – Obituary". London: Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- "Carr's kids on biggest stage". whufc.com. 20 May 2008.
- "Hammers' stars of the future shine". Waltham Forest Guardian. 9 April 2009.
- Smyth, Rob (21 September 2009). "Five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend". London: The Guardian.
- "Future bright for Zola". Whufc.com. Retrieved 29 April 2010.
- "West Ham no longer a selling club after keeping Dimitri Payet, says Slaven Bilic". Sky Sports. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- Ozanian, Mike (12 June 2018). "The World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2018". Forbes. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- "West Ham honour youth boss who nurtured £80m of talent". BBC Sport. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- "West Ham academy is the gift which keeps on giving to club and country". The Guardian. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
- Phillip, Robert. "England's cockney boys are driven to success by Carr". thenational.ae. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
- "West Ham United Reserves". FCHD.info. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
- Blakeman, M (2010) The Official History of the Eastern Counties Football League 1935–2010, Volume II ISBN 978-1-908037-02-2
- "Hendon gearing up for new season". West Ham United F.C. 11 June 2012. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014.
- "Development Squad: Fixtures and Results". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- "Hammers U23s to kick-off PL2 season at Spurs". West Ham United F.C. 26 July 2018. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
- "Premier League 2: Squad". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- "Who's Who". WHUFC.com.
- "Honours". WHUFC.com.
- "Academy Squad". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
- "Clyde Best on the day West Ham made football history". West Ham United F.C. 23 February 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
- https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53783159
External links
- Why is West Ham's academy providing diminishing returns? – These Football Times (2017)
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