West Ham United’s newly-promoted Premier League 2 Division 1 side will contest a series of challenging pre-season fixtures ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
Terry Westley’s U23 squad, who defeated Newcastle United 2-1 in the Division 2 Play-Off final earlier this month, will travel to Slovakia to face Super Liga clubs Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce, while also tackling EFL, National League and Isthmian League opposition.
Academy Director Westley said the Club’s developing young players needed to be tested in pre-season to ready them for the challenges that lie ahead.
“This group of players is at a level where they need a pre-season which is akin to that of a Championship club,” he confirmed.
“For that reason, we have organised matches against EFL clubs, as well as a trip to Slovakia where we will take on two of the country’s top sides.
“The likes of Dan Kemp, who made his England debut on Monday evening, Martin Samuelsen, George Dobson, Toni Martinez, Marcus Browne and Josh Cullen, if they are with us, need to be tested, so we have put together a pre-season schedule that is fit for purpose.”
The Hammers’ young professionals will kick-off pre-season with a trip to The Hive to face EFL League Two club Barnet on Saturday 15 July at 3pm.
Next up is a visit to the Weston Homes Community Stadium to tackle the Bees’ League Two rivals Colchester United on Tuesday 18 July at 7.45pm.
Saturday 22 July will see West Ham make a return to the familiar surroundings of the Chigwell Construction Stadium, where they will take on National League outfit Dagenham & Redbridge at 3pm.
The Hammers will then travel to Slovakia, where they will take on Super Liga sides Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce.
This group of players is at a level where they need a pre-season which is akin to that of a Championship club
Academy Director Terry Westley
Westley’s promising youngsters will again be playing Premier League 2 fixtures at Chigwell Construction Stadium next season.
With Division 1 fixtures to be played against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City in 2017/18, the Hammers can expect large and vociferous support at the home of the Daggers come August.
After their training camp in Slovakia, the young Hammers will return home for their final pre-season match.
Big-spending Isthmian League club Billericay Town have made headlines since West Ham-supporting owner Glenn Tamplin signed former Hammer Paul Konchesky and ex-Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara earlier this year. Tamplin has since added a host of new names to his squad ahead of a season in which they hope to gain promotion to the National League South.
Hammers fans will have the opportunity to see the Billericay revolution for themselves when the PL2 squad visit the AGP Arena on Tuesday 8 August at 7.45pm.
Supporters can pre-order tickets for the Billericay fixture by sending their details via email to [email protected] now.
Ticket details for the trip to Slovakia, Barnet, Colchester United and Dagenham & Redbridge fixtures will be confirmed on whufc.com and the Club's social media channels in due course.
In addition, a West Ham United XI, consisting mainly of Academy players, will visit Billericay’s Isthmian League rivals Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday 15 July at 3pm.
The Club are in the process of finalising the first team’s pre-season plans.