The West Academy of Football is very much back in business and the fans have every reason to pose that very important question: “Who’s next?”
After Declan and the emergence of Ben Johnson the investment in our grass roots players is finally after wilderness years that saw us produce Mark Noble and James Tomkins, is really paying off.
Some of us remember the days when Mooro, Jack Burkett, Johnny Sissons, Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst and Trevor Brooking plus many more gave this club a reputation as being the best in the land at producing young footballers.
Now, slowly we are seeing the arrival of some great youngsters who can save the club a lot of money in the transfer market.
And, hardly surprising, Mark hasn’t been slow to spot what’s going on having been a regular visitor to the academy where he had a big role in helping Dec’s development.
Now Ben, tipped as a player with a big future here by former academy director Terry Westley on CandH, is showing the sort of form and ability which can take him to the top.
It’s all very pleasing for Mark in his last season as a player and he took to Twitter declaring alongside a crossed Hammers emoji.: ““Our academy just keeps on producing.”
Happy Hammers days really are here again!