 West Ham United fans enjoyed seeing the inner workings of the Academy of Football after travelling with Nathan Trott and his Under 23 teammates on their pre-season trip to Slovakia.
Club London member Kevin Gilliland successfully bid for the unique ‘Go on tour with the Academy’ lot at the 2017 Player Awards in May.
Boleyn Bar regular Gilliland and his 19-year-old son Liam spent an enlightening few days with Academy Director Terry Westley, Under 23’s assistant manager Liam Manning and the squad, watching them train and ate meals with the coaches and players.
The father and son also attended the young Hammers’ fixtures with Super Liga clubs Spartak Trnava and FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce and even went for a run with Under 18’s manager Steve Potts and assistant Mark Phillips!
“The tour to Slovakia was a great opportunity for the players themselves to further their own development, whilst at the same time test themselves against foreign opposition,” said Under 23’s assistant manager Manning.
“Having Kevin and Liam with us on the the trip gave them a great insight into the level of detail and hard work the Academy does, which most fans may not necessarily see. It was great having them with us.”
For the record, the Under 23’s were beaten 3-1 by Spartak Trnava but bounced back with a more experienced starting XI to thrash FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce 5-1, with striker Jahmal Hector-Ingram netting a hat-trick.
Westley’s side will return to action on Tuesday August 8th, when they make the short trip to the AGP Arena to take on Isthmian League club Billericay Town in a 7.45pm kick-off.
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