Following a season that saw them lift the Premier League Cup and contribute five regulars to the U21s, West Ham United U18s took to the grass at Chadwell Heath for the first time this campaign as they began preparations for a busy pre-season schedule.
Now second-year scholars Chinaza Nwosu, Andre Dike — who signed his first professional contract last week — Fin Hooper, Jonathan Unwin, Lewis Beckford, Callum Leacock, and Connor Brooks, who have joined from Linfield and Concord Rangers respectively, were joined by the latest crop of first-year scholars, now full-time footballers in Claret and Blue.
“It’s great to be back after a well-deserved break for everyone,” said U18s lead coach Lauris Coggin. “We’ve got lots of new faces, all full of enthusiasm, and there’s already a really strong family feel within the group. The second years have welcomed the first-years in brilliantly and everyone seems excited for the pre-season and the season ahead.
“At this level, squads change dramatically year on year, and that’s one of the most exciting parts of my job,” he explained. “Fostering the right culture and helping the boys understand what full-time football is really about is key. There’s always someone who surprises you.
“It’s about getting to know them as people first. That’s what this Club is all about. We’re ready to push the limits, and I’m confident it’s going to be an exciting year ahead.”
The U18s will compete this season in the U18 Premier League, U18 Premier League Cup, and the FA Youth Cup, a competition the Hammers have won four times, most recently in 2023.
To prepare for the campaign ahead, their pre-season schedule begins with a trip to Yorkshire to face Leeds United and Salford City in mid-July, followed by a match against Liverpool at St George’s Park, and a training camp in Prague where they will once again compete in the AC Sparta Prague-hosted U19 NextGen Cup.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the lads and their enthusiasm really comes through,” Coggin continued. “They’re eager to get out on the grass and to experience what life as a scholar at West Ham involves.
“We’ve got two fantastic trips lined up, a week away in York to play Salford and Leeds, then a great test against Liverpool at St George’s Park, and finally the NextGen Cup in Prague, where we’ve been the last few years. It’s a brilliant opportunity to test ourselves against strong opposition and experience some great environments.”
