Preston Fearon’s memorable year continued as he made his first senior appearance for West Ham United in Saturday’s Premier League Summer Series fixture with Manchester United.
The 18-year-old captained the youth team to Premier League Cup glory in April, before being named Dylan Tombides Award winner for the Club’s outstanding Academy of Football talent in May.
Fearon was also called-up to train with the first-team squad by Head Coach Graham Potter and has caught the eye, being invited on the pre-season camp in Germany and to travel to the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.
On Saturday evening, the teenage midfielder was rewarded for his hard work and undoubted talent by being given an opportunity to play against Manchester United in front of around 40,000 supporters at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
For a player who was released by Chelsea four summers ago, and recovered from a back problem that ruled him out for much of the 2023/24 season, it was a moment to savour and be immensely proud of for himself, his family and his Club.
“It was really special,” he told West Ham TV. “It was a big moment for me and my family. Not long ago I was injured, missed out on a few games for the 18s and the 21s. Just two months ago, I didn't think anything like this would happen.
“And to face Manchester United, a big club, with my family supporting Man United, it was really special. I can't believe it.”
What was most impressive was that Fearon played without fear, showing for the ball and using it intelligently and accurately as West Ham finished the game strongly and went close to levelling before ultimately going down to a 2-1 defeat.
“Before I went on, people before the game told me I deserved to be here, keeping my confidence high,” he explained. “One of the coaches before I went on said, just keep your pose, be you. I just had that in my head.
“I wanted the ball. I always wanted the ball, no matter what level I'm playing at, training or anything. I just went on and it's just me.
“I haven't been here at West Ham that long, three or four years, compared to other people my age. But as soon as I came here I knew West Ham was going to be a great Club for me. My Dad said it straight away, I look so much more confident than when I was at Chelsea, my last club. The environment and everything just suited for me.
“Two years later I was captain and just playing at my best. Every game I just felt like I was getting better and better. I was getting awarded for the stuff I was doing on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I was injured, working hard and all the coaches saw that. They saw how much work I was putting in. It just kept getting better and better. It's been amazing really.”
Having won acclaim and awards for his performances, and now made his senior debut, Fearon is eager to make the most of his opportunities and spend more time around the first-team squad and more time on the pitch at Premier League Summer Series, where West Ham face Everton in Chicago on Wednesday and AFC Bournemouth in Atlanta next Sunday.
“100 per cent [I want more of this],” he confirmed. “I'm hungry to get on that pitch. Obviously it's pre-season but these games will get you prepared to play in the Premier League and that's what I want. I'm young and my career's just starting.”
