Anton Ferdinand and Jack Collison know better than anyone how pre-season training can provide youth academy players with a path to the first team.
It was in the summer of 2003 that Ferdinand was given the chance to impress at a West Ham training camp in Sweden, his efforts leading to a professional debut on the opening day of the season.
For Collison it was a late call-up to a tour of North America in preparation for the 2008 season, playing alongside Scott Parker, which heralded his rise to the first team.
Ferdinand Collison, now a Hammers ambassador, was present with Julen Lopetegui’s squad of nine youth players during their training camp in Florida.
Collison now lives in the United States, where he has worked as a coach for the past five years, including two years in charge of West Ham’s U16 team.
Anton Ferdinand and Jack Collison know how pre-season tours can provide a path to the first team
It was 2003 when Ferdinand got the chance to impress at a training camp in Sweden
The 35-year-old has coached several young players currently playing in the United States, but there is one player in particular that Collison has fond memories of: 19-year-old George Earthy, who scored his first goal for the senior team in the final home game of last season.
“It was like watching a mini version of Mark Noble,” Collison tells Mail Sport.
‘His character, he was always a real cheeky guy, always enthusiastic, loved training and on match days he was just very competitive.
‘It’s hard to say at that age, but there’s always hope that they will reach their potential.
“It was a really good group and we knew it would be fun to watch the team, but to see their progress over the years has been incredible.
‘Pre-season is an important period for these boys. Now that there is a new manager, it is a good opportunity to make a good impression.’
Like Collison, Ferdinand knows a lot about the young talents breaking through and centre-back Kaelan Casey is a player the 39-year-old likes to talk about.
Collison received a late call-up for a pre-season tour of North America in 2008
“As a defender I have really high expectations of him,” says Ferdinand. “I think he is a fantastic talent. Someone who likes to defend 1v1, deceptively fast, someone with great ethics and someone who is willing to learn.
“I see a lot of myself in him in terms of his willingness to learn and his enthusiasm for the club. I think he can go far with that. He needs opportunities, opportunities, but I have no doubt that if any of these guys get opportunities, they will grab them with both hands.”
Earth and Casey came on as second-half substitutes as West Ham lost 3-1 to Wolves, while Freddie Potts and Gideon Kodua also got game time.
“This is where I got my chance, on a pre-season tour in Sweden,” Ferdinand says. “As a young player you’re raring to go, you’re training hard, you want to show the manager that you’re ready, that you’re good enough.
‘It’s a clean slate for everyone, not just the young players, but every player. One thing is that this manager likes young players. You can see that with the seven or eight players who have come here. They’re taking part in the training, they’re not here to boost the numbers. They’re treated like first-team players, watching from the sidelines is very refreshing.’
Central defender Kaelan Casey (left) has impressed, as has young midfielder George Earthy
Ferdinand and Collison spoke to Mail Sport during a special coaching session they delivered to local club Jacksonville Armada FC.
The duo also shared their experiences and wisdom with players from the U19 and U17 squads, who hope to do the same as they did in professional football.
“You get so much pride when you see young players,” Collison said. “Even if you’ve had a little interaction with them, they’re pushing forward and making progress and making their mark on the professional game.”
“I think it is invaluable to pass on your life experiences to young players who are trying to emulate what you did at the football club,” Ferdinand added
‘That’s why I do what I do as a mentor and am more involved in the academy.’
West Ham play their final pre-season game against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The nine youth players are eager to show that they are good enough to make the step up to the first team.
