West Ham United Academy midfielder Preston Fearon has won the 2024/25 Dylan Tombides award.
The Dylan Tombides award is given annually to the Academy of Football’s outstanding scholar and is named in honour of the late West Ham United and Australia youth international forward Tombides, who tragically passed away at the age of 20 in April 2014.
On his 18th birthday, Sunday 18 May, U18s captain Fearon also received the Doris Bell trophy, an award given in memory of Doris Bell, daughter of former West Ham Chairman William John Cearns.
“It's really special,” he said. “I'm just glad that everyone's been able to see my progress and how much I've worked this season. To be given the award is just really special. I've heard that players like Declan Rice have won it before. It's a lot to take in at the moment, and I’m still processing it! And to receive it on my birthday as well is so special.”
Fearon completes his West Ham scholarship this season having captained the U18s to the Premier League Cup title. It follows an extremely challenging first year, which saw him ruled out for most of the 2023/24 campaign due to a stress fracture in his spine.
“I came back from an injury, and I didn't really know what was going to happen at the start of the season,” he reflected. “I was given the captaincy for the U18s in Scotland during pre-season, which was a real privilege to lead such a talented group. I pushed on, and felt like I was getting better and better.
“Then around Christmas time, I felt like all my hard work had been realised when I was able to push on with the U21s. Everyone treated me really well as soon as I came over to Rush Green, coaches and players alike.
“I then got to train with the first team more, and seeing what it's like, the quality, the level to be a Premier League player. And then, towards the end of the season, we were working so hard to get to the U18 Premier League Cup final.”
Fearon signed his first professional contract before the end of the 2024 calendar year and went on to feature regularly for the U21s, playing his part in a seven-game winning streak that helped the side finish fourth in the 26-team Premier League 2 table.
He also stepped back into the U18s side during their run to Premier League Cup glory, registering five assists in five matches. Although injury ruled him out of the final, he captained the side throughout the tournament as they became the first U18 age group in West Ham’s history to win the competition.
Fearon said: “We wanted to win something because it's such a good group. Unfortunately I couldn't play because of an injury. I didn't let my head drop too much because it was such a good season. It was such a good feeling. Football is about winning, so winning the trophy just felt amazing.”
Fearon was selected as the winner of the Dylan Tombides award and Doris Bell trophy by the Academy coaching staff, who also chose striker Josh Ajala and wing-back Emeka Adiele as nominees.
"All the coaching staff - Lauris [Coggin], Mark [Robson], Gerard [Prenderville], Steve [Potts], Zavon [Hines] and Luke [Smith] - they've all been so trusting in my ability, always wanting me to get better because they know there's always more,” Fearon said.
"Then, all the physios and all the S&C coaches, knowing what I need to be a better player, getting bigger, and setting out plans for me. No football player would be where they are without all the coaches behind the scenes. I don't think they get recognised enough."
The young midfielder was joined by his parents and brother at London Stadium to receive his awards following the first-team's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest.
Fearon added: “My mum, dad and brother have always supported me, especially this season and last season with my injury. Family is so important.
“They know all the ups and downs that I've been through as a scholar. They've put in so much hard work, and finally it's all coming together. But this is only the beginning!”