As a lifelong West Ham United supporter, Academy of Football graduate and former player, Freddie Sears is excited by the Hammers’ prospects for the new Premier League season.
But on Saturday, the Ipswich Town forward will be doing everything he can to disrupt his old club’s preparations when the two teams face off in a pre-season match at Portman Road.
If he was not playing, Sears may well have been in the crowd with the 4,100-strong Claret and Blue Army – an Army which will include many of his family and friends.
“I’m looking forward to it,” said the 28-year-old, who scored on his West Ham debut against Blackburn Rovers ten years ago. “It’s always good to play against my old team and my boyhood team and Saturday will be no different.
“I’ve got a lot of family and friends supporting West Ham and I’m sure a few of my mates will be in the West Ham end.
“I’m told there are 4,000 West Ham fans coming to the game, which shows what great support the club has, with 4,000 coming to a pre-season game. I’m sure there will be more than 4,000 in the ground too, come kick-off!”
The West Ham fans have seen that the club has done business, spent some money on some quality players and they’re feeling optimistic
Freddie Sears
While he will be giving his all to slow the Hammers this weekend, Hornchurch-born Sears believes the club he played for 58 times between 2008 and 2012 are looking good under new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“All my mates are buzzing for the new season, they can’t wait. The West Ham fans have seen that the club has done business, spent some money on some quality players and they’re feeling optimistic. From a fans’ perspective, it looks like West Ham could have a positive season.
“It looks exciting. The players they’re bringing, people like Jack Wilshere and Felipe Anderson, joining the likes of Arnautovic and Nobes mean there is a lot of quality in the squad.
“The new manager has won the Premier League title and done well everywhere he has gone, so everyone will be behind him. It can only bode well for West Ham.”
What of Sears’ own prospects at Ipswich?
The Tractor Boys have also brought in a new manager with a good track record in Paul Hurst, and the forward hopes the former Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury Town boss can drive them to the Play-Offs for the first time in four years.
“We start a week earlier than West Ham, so this is our last game before our Championship season starts against Blackburn – a team I know well!
“We’ve played against League One and League Two but playing against a Premier League team will be a good test for us as we will probably have less off the ball and can work on our shape out of possession. Everyone is looking forward to it.
“We’ve got a new manager with new ideas. Everyone has bought into it and it’s given everyone a lift and the town a lift. Hopefully we can get the fans buzzing.”
So, will Sears be celebrating a successful season on two counts come next May?
“For us, the Championship is different to the Premier League as all 24 teams are aiming at Play-Offs and believe they have half a chance of getting into the top six.
“For West Ham, the Premier League’s top six is harder to break into. Top ten would be positive and top eight would be great. I’d love to see European football at London Stadium again, but the Premier League is a tough league. It’s hard to keep up with teams spending lots of money, but West Ham are giving it a good go.”