New kid on block an Iron to his backbone

West Ham’s return to its roots continued apace yesterday as 17 year old former Arsenal youngster George Dobson joined the Academy.

With the arrival of Marin Saumuelsen from Manchester City and now the former Gunners under 18 captain, Terry Westley is settling down quickly to the job of rebuilding our traditions from the bottom up.

And the big bonus is that young George has been a Hammers since his boyhood  and couldn’t wait to make the switch to the Boleyn.

He said: “I am over the moon to have signed and have been a West Ham fan since I was five-years-of -age and this is a surreal moment.

Speaking to the club’s official site he added:  “Putting pen to paper is a dream come true for me. “I had a great ten-years with Arsenal and they helped me as a footballer and as a person.

But the time is right to move and I cannot wait to get started. I give 100 per cent every time I put the shirt on and I will give everything for the team.

“The amount of players who have come through the academy, it was a no-brainer for me. There are lots of opportunities here and you have just got to take them. I know I will have to work hard.

“Terry Westley is a great guy and has shown a lot of interest in me. That is really important for a young person and I am looking forward to working under him.”