Farewell Boleyn: The men who birthed the Academy

Cassettari Cafe.jpg

A group of players – some who would shape English football throughout the 60s and 70s – hold a reunion in the room where as players they worked out the tactics that would help propel West Ham into the top division.

Inspired by the Hungarians defeat of England at Wembley in 1953 they realised English football needed to change and with it, perhaps without knowing it, they gave birth to the Academy of West Ham.

Jimmy Andrews, Dave Sexton, Noel Cantwell, Malcolm Allison, John Bond, Frank O’Farrell and  Malcolm Musgrove complete with cafe owner Vic Cassettari pose for the camera in the upstairs room of the old cafe, condiments laid out on the table as it was with those that the tactics and player movements were worked out.

Over the next coming weeks, one by one I will profile what being a member of this club led to for each member. Some of the country’s biggest clubs were managed by this select band and every English trophy was won and even Euro glory for one member.

Words and pictures for our fascinating ‘Farewell Boleyn’ series are provided by passionate lifelong supporter and ClaretandHugh historian Nigel Kahn.

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