Northampton Town v West Ham United U21s
Pre-Season Match, Sixfields Stadium, Tuesday 22 July 2025, 7pm BST
West Ham United U21s’ preparations for the 2025/26 season step up a gear on Tuesday evening as they travel to face League One side Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium.
After three pre-season outings against National League South opposition in Worthing, Ebbsfleet United and Maidenhead United, the young Hammers were bolstered this week in training by the return of several young players who gained valuable first-team experience during the senior squad’s pre-season trip to Germany.
And they will no doubt benefit from taking part in Tuesday's game against a Cobblers side managed by former West Ham captain and first-team coach Kevin Nolan.
Tickets…
Hammers fans can watch the U21s in action on Tuesday by purchasing tickets HERE. Blocks 154 to 200 of the LCS Stand will be open to West Ham United supporters.
Tickets are priced at £18 for Adults, £16 for Over-65s, £10 for Under-18s, £6 for Under-14s and £2 for Under-7s.
Travel…
For those travelling by car, fans should leave the M1 at Junction 15A and follow the A43 towards Northampton, and the Sixfields Stadium will appear on the right.
If you're using public transport, Northampton railway station is around a 30-minute walk from the stadium. Taxis are available at the station, and regular local bus services also run to the ground. Free parking is available for supporters in designated matchday car parks around the stadium.
How To Follow…
A live blog will be available across the Club’s website and app. A match report and reaction will follow after the full-time whistle.
Opposition…
Northampton Town boast a proud Football League history, having never spent a season outside of its structure. Achieving their only season in the English top flight in 1964/65, to date, Northampton still hold the record for the fastest time to rise from the fourth tier to the first tier and back down to the fourth, just nine seasons.
Now preparing for their third consecutive campaign in League One, Northampton are led by a familiar face to Hammers fans, former Club captain Kevin Nolan, who took charge last December, while the club sat 21st in League One, and guided the side to safety with two games to spare.
Their own pre-season schedule has included clashes with National League outfit Brackley Town, recently relegated League Two team Cambridge United, and Championship sides Norwich City and Millwall, the latter played during a training camp in Spain. Tuesday’s game will be their first back on home soil since returning from their overseas trip.
The last time Northampton hosted the young Hammers at Sixfields Stadium was West Ham United’s first involvement in the EFL Trophy in 2016, where a side featuring Declan Rice played out a 1-1 draw before beating their League One counterparts on penalties.
Ones To Watch…
Stepping up to the U21s this season from the U18s, Jethro Medine made his first start for the development side at the weekend, in a 4-2 defeat at Maidenhead United. A Premier League Cup winner with the U18s last season, Medine is an energetic right-back who enjoys putting in a last-ditch tackle just as much as getting forward and providing crosses for his teammates going forward. Having already had a taste of U21s football during the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament in May, Medine caught the eye at the weekend against Maidenhead United with his wing play, providing several chances for the Scottish strike partnership of Dan Cummings and Josh Landers.
For Northampton Town, Cameron McGeehan was the Cobblers’ biggest goal threat last season with ten goals and five assists from attacking midfield. His best season to date, McGeehan was awarded Players’ Player of the Season in his debut campaign for Northampton and will be hoping to help the Cobblers make an impact at the other end of the League One table this season having secured promotion with Barnsley back in 2019.
The Story So Far…
It’s been a promising start to pre-season for West Ham United U21s, who have seen a number of young players involved with the senior side. Fin Herrick, Lanre Awesu, Ezra Mayers, Emeka Adiele and Airidas Golambeckis all gained valuable exposure during the first team’s tour of Germany, alongside Academy graduates Ollie Scarles, Kaelan Casey, George Earthy, Lewis Orford, Callum Marshall and Freddie Potts.
Meanwhile, the rest of the development squad have been in action against Worthing, Ebbsfleet and Maidenhead as preparations ramp up for a demanding season, one that includes fixtures against senior opposition in the EFL Trophyand National League Cup, as well as Premier League 2 and Premier League International Cup competition.
