Is WHUFC still great at developing youth?

[Catfish]

I know that Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, and Andy Cole all were Hammers. Didn't they come up through their youth system? Is West Ham Utd a secret hotbed for developing great youth talent?

Appreciate any thoughts.

[Sxboy66]

You're wrong about Andy Cole mate.

Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Jermain Defoe, Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Johnson, and many more are graduates of what is rightfully called The Academy of Football at West Ham United.

It's no secret, it's just a crying shame we don't get to keep any of them because our chairman is a greedy, blood sucking leech who cashes in at the first opportunity.

[panicfc]

yes we still develop talent. Chris Cohen is going to be star, plus a few others I don't have time to remember their name.

[King Rooney]

i think kyel reid is a hammer. from what i've read he is going to be good

[jumhed]

If it wasn't for the hammer's youth policy, and Fredi 'But I am sprinting, it just looks like jogging' Kanoute, Spurs would be up the creek at the moment.
And if it wasn't for Spurs's old boys, Hammers would be in trouble!

But to answer the original question, I'd say, "Does West Ham have a choice?" They have to develop youth, because Brown is a knobend.

[HiFi]

My son trained with West Ham's U12's about a month ago. Very professional, excellent coaches, committed, hard-working, and talented players. Nice training facility. It was a great experience.

I think their location is very good as it is a densly populated area, so there are good kids to choose from, even though the competition from other clubs for the best players is strong.

It is a shame that they can't keep more of the best players, get themselves back into the Premiership, and do well. But as the goal of the youth system is to produce professional players, they have to be considered a success.

[panicfc]

Hifi, where are you from? How did WHU find your son?

Hope its not too private. Thanks.

[HiFi]

Hifi, where are you from? How did WHU find your son?

Hope its not too private. Thanks.


We're from Massachusetts, and we know a contact who is a former West Ham coach. He set us up to train while we were in London on holiday, feeling like it would be a good fit. Plus, my son's favorite player is Frank Lampard, so he felt that if coming through WHU's youth system was good enough for Frank, it would be good enough for him. :)

It was a great experience, and he can go back whenever we are in London. Unfortunately, we lived in the UK while he was 3 & 4. 8 years too soon.......

[panicfc]

Thanks. Are you English or American?

If you want your kid to turn out to be a super pro - West Ham is the place. Play there for 4 years - then go to a huge club..if we remain under Brown's control that might be 3 years.


===
Frank Lampard - damn he's great, but I can't like him thanks to his comments about WHU when his uncle was in charge.

[HiFi]

Thanks. Are you English or American?

If you want your kid to turn out to be a super pro - West Ham is the place. Play there for 4 years - then go to a huge club..if we remain under Brown's control that might be 3 years.


===
Frank Lampard - damn he's great, but I can't like him thanks to his comments about WHU when his uncle was in charge.

American, with a keen British interest.

It's a shame. It took so long to find the training center, we can't keep going back. Everyone there was fabulous to us.

Lampard made those comments when he was young. I doubt you'd hear him say those things now. And he wouldn't be the first footballer to put a boot in his mouth.

[panicfc]

Actually he said some more negative stuff either this season or last season. Joe Cole..I still like. Defoe...sort of still like. Carrick - still like.

Keep us posted on your son's progress.

[HiFi]

Actually he said some more negative stuff either this season or last season. Joe Cole..I still like. Defoe...sort of still like. Carrick - still like.

Keep us posted on your son's progress.

Will do. Cheers. Not much progress to be made here with half a foot of snow on the ground.

Remember: We like them for their football, not their brain!

[panicfc]

Its not their brain, its the arrogance.

Good luck with your son, getting him playing indoor somewhere.

[HiFi]

Its not their brain, its the arrogance.

Good luck with your son, getting him playing indoor somewhere.

Can't argue with that.

Thanks.