Academy boss Westley’s night to remember!

Proud academy director Terry Westley hailed his youngsters and West Ham United after a hugely successful night against Macclesfield Town.

Grady Diangana starred along with Declan Rice and both Joe Powell and Conor Coventry joined the action as the Hammers smashed their League Two opponents aside.

All have grown up under Westley’s guidance and his pride could not be more understandable given the drought we have seen in that area ahead of his arrival.

He told the official site: “To have four on the pitch at the same time was quite remarkable and a great achievement, not just for Academy but for the whole club.

“I looked at all the Carabao Cup ties played this week and, although other clubs gave some youngsters a chance, we were the only Premier League club with four Academy products in our team at the same time.

“It’s a collective effort from everyone, not just the players themselves or the Academy coaches, as they have been here since they were schoolboys and so many people have played a part in their development.

“The four who played really buy into that individual player ownership concept, meaning that if you take ownership and work at your game, you will get your reward.

It’s a holistic thing; behave the right way, show the right work ethic, listen to your coaches and you will get out what you put in. Those four really stand out in that field.”

“When you think of Nathan Holland, Toni Martinez, Martin Samuelsen and Marcus Browne too, we have got some good players at the Academy.

“We are thankful to the manager for giving the four who played the opportunity and we are delighted they took that opportunity.

“Manuel said the one thing he insists upon is that the young player he selects has to have the nerve to take his chance and all four of them did that and showed everybody they are capable of playing, that they can take the ball, make passes and effect the game.”

He added: “When you think of all the work you and the staff are doing all week and every Saturday and Sunday and all the hours and miles you put in and the bad results you have to contend with, this is why you do it.

“Working in the development field gives you this feeling of pride, seeing the fruits of that labour with every player who makes their first-team debut.

“It was an ideal night all-round.”