Former academy director, and exclusive CandH blogger Terry Westley, makes no secret of the fact that he has enormous pride in what was achieved at the club during his spell in charge. He has always declared here that Declan would go on to become a superstar and is now thrilled to see another of his protegees breaking through. Here he talks of who and why!
By Terry Westley
I said in this column several months ago when the Jeremy Ngakia problems were in full swing that he was probably leaving because Ben Johnson was at the club.
At the time Ben was injured but as I have always made it clear he always ticked every box for me as a young player.
And here he is now at the age of 21 being trusted – and playing so well – on the left hand side of the pitch largely as a midfielder when he is essentially – ow WAS – a right back in a team that is challenging for Champions League football.
Proud?
You bet I’m proud and so should he be, Great achievement and he’s gonna get a whole lot better, trust me.
Even for a guy who has Ledley King and Paul Parker as family members, that is one heck of an achievement and to see these academy graduates coming through is so pleasing for West Ham as a club.
I watch every game I can and this is the best squad I’ve seen at West Ham and that Ben is a part of it and Declan skipper is fantastic.
To be thinking of WHUFC and the Champions League in the same conversation is just incredible and I have no doubt Dec will remain at the club as a result.
There remains one other outfield player whom I have regularly talked up and I think next season will be a make or break time for Nathan Holland.
I feel sorry for the boy because he’s had injuries and the coronavirus thing to cope with at the same time but he’s 23 in June and needs to make his first team presence felt or decide his future perhaps beyond us.
These are great times to be a Hammer. Enjoy it guys – see you next time.
Although I was aware of how highly Ben Johnson was thought of by the club as a whole…. That ability still has to be transferred and reproduced at the first-team level. Initially, because Ngakia took to the job at hand so well due to Ben’s injury issues at the time… It felt like a body blow when Ngakia showed real disrespect and walked without explanation.
Since then I have seen enough of Ngakia and Ben Johnson to confirm to me what has probably been known within the club for some time. Ben is a class act, and I have seen enough to convince me that his star will shine brightly. This is probably why Ngakia left without a real explanation.
What I have come to realise with age, is that the maturity, mentality and mindset of young players is Just as important as their ability. This is the case with Declan and also seems to be the case with Ben who is now playing for the club that he supports.
COYI
He is developing well, and should be proud.