As far as future golden generations go, the West Ham under-19s team of 1998/99 promised much. That season they became one of the few academy teams to win the league and cup double. The two-legged cup final, against Coventry City, was a rbmarkably one-sided affair. West Ham won 9-0 on aggregate, 3-0 away at Highfield Road first and then a thumping 6-0 triumph at Upton Park (Seems like Chris Kirkland's habit for conceding bucket loads started early). You can see the goals from the first leg here and second leg here.
A cursory glance at the starting eleven sees two names immediately stick out: the midfield pairing of young Michael Carrick and Joe Cole, the former in particular pulling the strings in the final's second leg. But what of the Bertie Brayleys and Stevland Anguses of this world, who along with Carrick and Cole were a part of one of the most talented youth sides seen in England since the Busby Babes and Fergie's Fledglings? Well, let's find out...
 |
| Bertie Brayley makes it 3-0 in the final against Coventry. |
Stephen Bywater
Ok, so you probably have heard of this one. Bywater wasn't exactly the star of the show as West Ham ran riot at the other end, but the Manchester lad went on to make over 50 appearances for the Hammers, the majority coming after the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2003. However, the arrival of Roy Carroll and return of Shaka Hislop meant the stopper had to seek playing time elsewhere. After a couple of loan spells at Coventry and Derby he signed for the latter in the summer of 2006. He helped the Rams gain promotion to the Premier League in his first season, but found himself loaned out to Ipswich the next year as Derby were sent straight back down. After facing competition again from old foe Roy Carroll, who Derby had signed before the new season, Bywater eventually established himself as first-choice in 2008, a position he is yet to relinquish.
Adam Newton
Attacking full back and scorer of the goal in the second leg which drew a familiar 'OWWWWWWWW' of approval from commentator Martin Tyler. However, Newton would only make two substitute appearances for West Ham's first team, and after a hat full of loan-outs was released in 2002. He signed for Peterborough, and became a cornerstone of their defence for six years. During his time with Posh he was called up to the St Kitts and Nevis squad for their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign. The arrival of Russell Martin from Wycombe however saw his first team chances limited, and he joineed Brentford after having his contract terminate. Despite being named club captain and helping The Bees win the League Two title in 2009 his one-year contract was not renewed. He is currently plying his trade with Blue Square Premier side Luton Town.
Sam Taylor
Taylor left football completely after being released by West Ham. His whereabouts are currently unknown.
Terrell Forbes
The defender failed to break into the Hammers' first team and after being released was snapped up by QPR in 2001. He spent three years with the club as a regular starter, and in the final year of his contract helped them to automatic promotion to the Championship. He spent subsequent seasons with Grimsby and Oldham before landed at Yeovil in 2006, spending four seasons with the South West outfit, as well as scoring his first career goal in 2009 with the club. The eagle-eyed or just plain sad of you may have noticed Forbes help Leyton Orient draw against 'the best team in the world' Arsenal at the weekend in the FA Cup, having been with the East London outfit since the start of the season. I hope he likes Vegas.
Izzy Iriekpen
One of the youngest in this side, Iriekpen was cruelly blighted by knee injuries during his time and was released without playing. He was snapped up by Swansea in 2003, but again was blighted by serious ankle and knee injuries. Despite this, he managed 137 appearances for the Welsh side before leaving in acrimony, having labelled Swansea's new contract offer a disgrace. He thenspent two years with Scunthorpe before short stays with Bristol City and Hamilton Academical, eventually leaving the Scottish club for family reasons. He is currently without a club and trying to regain fitness. If you want any more then you can catch up with him on twitter.
Stevland Angus
A scorer in that final as well as having a name like a Norwegian burger-maker, Angus spent time on loan with Brentford before being released by the Hammers in 2001. He was picked up by Cambridge United where he became a mainstay for four years, making 135 appearances. He fell out of favour with manager Hérve Renard in 2005, leading to a series of loan moves and eventually a permanent transfer to Grays Athletic. More moves to numerous non-league clubs followed, as well as a single appearance for Barnet. His last known club was Bishop's Strortford, whom he left at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Richard Garcia
Like Bywater, Garcia has forged a solid career in professional football since 1999. The striker's form in that year's Youth Cup was phenomenal, tallying eight goals and scoring in every round. He made a number of appearances for the Hammers, particularly after they were relegated in 2003, but he failed to nail down a starting spot and was signed by Colchester United a year later. He thrived with the U's, helping them seal promotion to the Championship. After seeing out his three-year deal he signed for Hull City, playing part in the side that beat Bristol City in the play-off final to reach the Premiership. He has remained with the Tigers since, and has also been capped by his native Australia.
Albert 'Bertie' Brayley
The midfielder-cum-striker with a name like a 1950s half-back showed a poacher's instinct in the West Ham academy, but was released without making a senior appearance. He was snapped up by lower-league Swindon Town, but could only muster a handful of substitute appearances before finding himself in the non-league game. He has appeared for over a dozen clubs since leaving Swindon in 2002, including Canvey Island, Braintree and Margate. On top of this, he has managed a handful of appearances for the England Learning Disabilities team. Brayley continues his nomadic footballing career with Harlow Town, who signed him from Billericay last week.
Anwar Uddin
Defender Uddin became frustrated with lack of opportunities at Upton Park, and after a very short stay at Sheffield Wednesday, ended up at Bristol Rovers in 2002. He made a handful of appearances in two seasons for Rovers and signed for Dagenham & Redbridge in 2004. He went on to serve the Daggers for six years, as well as being club captain and making nearly 200 apperances. This year he joined League Two side Barnet and has already been made club captain.
No comments:
Post a Comment