Top NINE West Ham academy graduates from the past 15 years

Since the club was founded in 1895 there have been some extremely talented players to emerge from the ‘Academy of Football.’ West Ham’s academy has arguably been in the last 15 years the most influential upon the national side with a number of ex Hammer’s youth players excelling on the world stage. Tony Carr MBE has been referred to by many a graduate as an ‘inspiration’ and Carr the academy director, has been bringing players through the ranks since 1973. Before our current

generation of players, the academy still managed to churn out world class acts such as Paul ‘Judas’ Ince, Tony Cottee, Harry Redknapp , Frank Lampard Snr and of course the great trio…..Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. However, this particular blog will consist of who I believe to be the greatest graduates in the last 10 years in terms of their achievements at the Boleyn or beyond their West Ham playing days.

James Tomkins

Since our very own ‘JT’ broke onto the scene in 2008, he has gradually improved as a first team player. His exceptional ability to read the game has helped him to become a midfield option as well, shown this season when Kevin Nolan was unavailable due to suspension. James Tomkins (aged 22) was born in Basildon and signed for the West Ham youth set up at the age of 7. ‘Tomka’ won the Young Hammer of the Year accolade in 07/08 season. In my

opinion, I believe Tomkins could potentially be a future star in English football and should perhaps be in the GB squad for this summer’s Olympics. The only way JT will reach his best is by playing alongside the best and the best does not include Winston Reid or Abdoulaye Faye.

Mark Noble

Mark Noble has been widely recognised as the best player to emerge from the academy in recent years since Harry Redknapp’s time in charge. His debut came at the age of 17 and since then he has consistently been in the first team. Noble has captained the England U’21 side in the 2009 European Championships (when the young English stars lost 4-0 to Germany.) Mark Noble has matured as a player since his sudden burst into first team contention. His never say die attitude and his highly rated work rate have combined and lead to Nobes becoming a fans favourite. Noble will probably be suggested by many fans to have been the

star performer so far this season. Now Nobes is the longest serving player remaining at the club and at the ripe old age 24 the Canning Town born lad is on his way to an outstanding Hammers career.

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Bobby Zamora

A legend in many West Hams eyes, and definitely a hero in mine! Zammo scored the vital goal in the 04/05 Play-Off final sending the Hammers back into top flight football. Zamora like a number of the players mentioned in this blog started his football days at Senrab FC in East London and was picked up by West Ham these players include Koncheskey, Jermain Defoe and also John Terry who was also developed by Senrab and was, so many Hammers

insiders believe; part of the West Ham youth set up, perhaps he was signed for both us and Chelsea. Zamora has played for a wide range of clubs including Bristol Rovers, Bath City and Brighton Hove and Albion and like Paul Koncheskey returned to his roots at West Ham after a poor spell at Spurs. Bobby went on to play 130 times for the Hammers and has since played for Fulham and is now at QPR, where he is likely to be sold again at the end of the season, WHEN they’re relegated.

Glen Jonhson

Glen was a successful product of the academy at West Ham and although his defensive side of the game for a right back can be poor his offensive ability is undeniable and this has led to being one of England’s favoured full backs. Johnson was recently bought by Liverpool for £17.5m. Glen began his playing days at West Ham and was sold 2 weeks after their relegation in 2003 to rivals Chelsea. Glen Jonson played just 15 times for the first team at West Ham, therefore, he is not a Hammers great but his since leaving achievements have been impressive, winning the 2008 FA Cup with Pompey. Johnson has represented his country 35 times and is contention with Kyle Walker and Micah Richards for a place in this summers ‘Euros.’

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Michael Carrick

Perhaps the most composed English footballer playing in the Premier League Carrick also started his career at Upton Park. Carrick who now plays for Manchester United played for West Ham 136 times over a six year spell. He was a consistent player for West Ham and although from Newcastle he was signed for West Ham when he was 16. Since West Ham Carrick has played for Spurs and Manchester United. Carrick however, had failed

to impress on the international stage as each manager seems to overlook him. Now aged 30 Carrick will probably move away from the ‘Red Devils’ in the next few years and due to the

severe competition in the centre of England’s midfield his’ international days are probably drawing to a close. Despite the England bosses frequently opting for Gerrard, Lampard, Barry and now Parker instead of Carrick he has represented his country at 2 major competitions and has 22 caps.

Jermain Defoe

 

A player of great flair and an eye for a goal! Defoe was supposedly ‘nicked’ by West Ham from Charlton Athletic when he was 16 but the Hammers nursed him into the

prolific striker he has now become. Jermaine Defoe is now despised by the majority of the West Ham faithful, however his talent is undeniable even from the most biased Hammers supporters. Defoe played 93 times for West Ham over a 5 year period. Since abandoning us for Spurs when the ’going got tough’ in the Championship he has represented Portsmouth as well on two separate spells (one loan, one permanent.) Redknapp brought Defoe back to White Hart Lane when he became the Spurs manager after his departure from Fratton Park. Defoe has played 46 times for England; however the Beckton born striker is struggling to find performances this year for Tottenham.

‘Joey Cole, Cole, always believe in your soul, you’ve got the power to noooooo, your indestructible, always believe in ….. Joey Cole’ Joe Cole is one of my favourite players I’ve ever

seen at Upton Park and I genuinely wanted to be him when I was younger. His’ natural flare and ability to beat players excited not just 7 years old me but the whole Hammers faithful. Cole born

in Islington, Cole’s West Ham debut came at the age of 17. Cole represented West Hamm 126 times and later moved to Chelsea. Cole played for Chelsea for seven years and then moved to Liverpool. At Liverpool Joe Cole struggled with his fitness and only managed 20 appearances. Last summer Cole moved on loan to Lille OSC in France where he is currently playing this season.

Frank Lampard

Signed for West Ham in 1994 (where at the time his father was assistant manager) ‘Lamps’ played 148 times for the Hammers in his 6 year spell at the club. Lampard however is now an unpopular figure at his once home due to his down talk of the club that made

him the player he is today. Lampard the nephew of former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp was sold to Chelsea for £11 million in 2001, following the sacking of his Uncle and Father. Lampard has remained at Chelsea and has become a ‘Blue’s’ legend playing 369 times and scoring 125 goals throughout his Chelsea career (where he still is playing.) Lampard (now 33) has represented his country 90 times and will no doubt take part in his 4th major international competition this summer in Ukraine.

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Rio Ferdinand

Born in Peckham played 127 times for West Ham and was sold as a record fee for a defender at the time to Leeds United for £18 million. Following Ferdinand’s Leeds’ days he signed for the club he was going to make his own for the next 10 years- Manchester

United (he is still there now.) I’ve elected Ferdinand as the greatest graduate from West Ham’s prestigious youth academy in the last 15 years as I believe the contributions he has made to Manchester United are so great and his achievements since playing there are outstanding. His partnership with Nemanja Vidic over the last few seasons has been rock solid and unbreakable. Rio has represented his country 81 times and until recently was Vice

captain. Perhaps I’ve been a bit unfair not giving Lampard the number one spot especially as I’ve chosen Rio on his contributes to the club (Lamps has played more games and scored more for Chelsea than Rio has for Man u) however Rio has more Premier League titles than Lampard and is a bit less fat!

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