Inside the Academy: The Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham United's Youth

Inside the Academy tells the stories of a talented set of footballers spanning a quarter-century, exploring childhood aspirations and what became of them. It lifts the lid on teenage training grounds and what it takes to even come close to being a Premier League player, via interviews with those who have experienced it.

Inside the Academy tells the stories of a talented set of footballers spanning a quarter-century, exploring childhood aspirations and what became of them. It lifts the lid on teenage training grounds and what it takes to even come close to being a Premier League player.

From Bobby Moore to Declan Rice, West Ham United has a proud history of cultivating young talent. Yet their 2023 FA Youth Cup triumph came against a backdrop of complaints about congested pathways to first-team football and inflated pay packets quelling ambition. These concerns are not unique to West Ham; they are symptomatic of the modern game.

This book offers an insight into what life as a young footballer is really like, via interviews with people who''ve lived and breathed the game over the past 25 years. It''s a must-read for anyone who wonders why child prodigies don''t always become professionals and what happens to those who don''t make it to the top.

• | Author: Callum McNaughton, Paul Brand
• | Publisher: Pitch Publishing Ltd
• | Publication Date: May 13, 2024
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9781801509794
• | ISBN-10: 1801509794