Reece Burke was desperate to play for the West Ham development team on Monday night in the Premier League U21 Cup final first leg at the Boleyn Ground.
The Hammers eventually took the lead in the 90th minute thanks to Djair Parfitt–Williams.
During a post match press conference West Ham Academy Director, Terry Westley revealed: “Burke was desperate to play tonight, he came down, he travelled and trained with us (on) Sunday. They (Bradford) have two games left and there could be play off semi finals and playing at Wembley.
“To be fair to Bradford, it was not the time to stick him in the team. He lives 200 yards away from this stadium, he is a West Ham boy through and through and he wanted one chance.
“He warmed up with the team but the risk of playing him was too great. Bradford are getting 18,000 at home matches, they know what it is like to try and win every week”
Sorry but I thought he was our player,
If he wanted to be part team effort and he should be in the side then play him,
Bradford can wait until he is finished with his real club,
It will be great if we finish runner ups but Burke can play for Bradford,
Maybe we should leave Song,Emineke,Moses fit and send them back all rested up for there clubs why go paying 250 k per week to actually get something out of them
We are not a charity
He chooses us before Bradford
Let him be a Hammer first a loanee second
Not sure it works like that bubs, Bradford would have an agreement in place for the lad. As much as I rate him he can’t just pop up for a cup final & then quickly skip back up north. Would we agree for Song to hot foot back to barca for a cup final if he was an important part of our 1st team..?? I think the U21 team that got to the final wouldn’t be best pleased if anyone just showed up at the end to take the glory (whatever they might say out loud)
True, but Samuelson has a clause in his contract he could return for West Ham youth games. He returned from Posh to play in the Semi final while still on loan to Peterborough.
Why was Cullen allowed to play then.
I think it was to keep Henry happy as he hasn’t had much game time and needs to show his worth,he’ll probably not be here next year so he’s on show.