Academy & PL2 2024/25
I thought, as we're on the eve of the start of the season, that I'd open a new Academy & PL2 thread for the 2024/25 season.
As it stands, we have three of our PL2 squad out on noteworthy loans.
Goalkeeper Kristztian Hegyi is spending the season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. He's likely to second choice this season, as Aston Oxborough started for them in the league over the weekend. BUT Oxborough has been #2 there for a while, so it's not nailed on that Hegyi won't make the starting XI eventually. He has started both Challenge Cup matches so far, too, so hopefully he gets some decent game time.
Centre half, and Northern Ireland international Michael Forbes is with EFL League One side Bristol Rovers for the season. Forbes hasn't had a sniff for us, but he has played for his country already. I'm not sure how much he'll play, as Rovers have 5 centre backs on the books. However, one of those is 35 year old James Wilson who only managed 26 appearances last season and one, Dan Ellison, is stepping up from National League South side Chippenham. Forbes will probably be competing with Connor Taylor, who was pretty much first choice last season, and new signing Taylor Moore spent time playing for Valenciennes in France last season, but who didn't play a minute after February.
Another centre back, Levi Laing, will be in EFL too, this time in League Two with Cheltenham Town. You might remember Laing from his substitute appearance in a 4-0 Conference League win over AEK Larnaca in March 2023. Laing might have a better shot of getting som gametime, as there are only two other proper CBs on Cheltenham's books. Tom Bradbury has been with Cheltenham for two seasons, but only has 35 league appearances from a possible 92 in that time. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Bakare has joined, but he only has experience playing in the Canadian Premier League for Vancouver FC.
I wasn't going to bother mentioning this last loan, as it's to a side outside of the football league, BUT I know there are a few Urchins fans on here, so, young goalkeeper Mason Terry will be spending the year with Hornchurch. He played against Hornchurch last year for Concord Rangers, and - according to the Hornchurch website - stood out against them.
As it stands, we have three of our PL2 squad out on noteworthy loans.
Goalkeeper Kristztian Hegyi is spending the season with Motherwell in the Scottish Premiership. He's likely to second choice this season, as Aston Oxborough started for them in the league over the weekend. BUT Oxborough has been #2 there for a while, so it's not nailed on that Hegyi won't make the starting XI eventually. He has started both Challenge Cup matches so far, too, so hopefully he gets some decent game time.
Centre half, and Northern Ireland international Michael Forbes is with EFL League One side Bristol Rovers for the season. Forbes hasn't had a sniff for us, but he has played for his country already. I'm not sure how much he'll play, as Rovers have 5 centre backs on the books. However, one of those is 35 year old James Wilson who only managed 26 appearances last season and one, Dan Ellison, is stepping up from National League South side Chippenham. Forbes will probably be competing with Connor Taylor, who was pretty much first choice last season, and new signing Taylor Moore spent time playing for Valenciennes in France last season, but who didn't play a minute after February.
Another centre back, Levi Laing, will be in EFL too, this time in League Two with Cheltenham Town. You might remember Laing from his substitute appearance in a 4-0 Conference League win over AEK Larnaca in March 2023. Laing might have a better shot of getting som gametime, as there are only two other proper CBs on Cheltenham's books. Tom Bradbury has been with Cheltenham for two seasons, but only has 35 league appearances from a possible 92 in that time. Meanwhile, Ibrahim Bakare has joined, but he only has experience playing in the Canadian Premier League for Vancouver FC.
I wasn't going to bother mentioning this last loan, as it's to a side outside of the football league, BUT I know there are a few Urchins fans on here, so, young goalkeeper Mason Terry will be spending the year with Hornchurch. He played against Hornchurch last year for Concord Rangers, and - according to the Hornchurch website - stood out against them.
Comments
Great start for Callum Marshall on loan at Huddersfield Town.
For context, last seasons side at the end of the season included Jacob Knightsbridge (22 apps), Michael Forbes (12 apps, and was captain), Patrick Kelly (25 apps), George Earthy (27 apps, 13 goals), Gideon Kodua (17 apps, 7 goals) and Callum Marshall (18 apps, 21 goals).
https://www.whufc.com/news/lewis-orford-signs-five-year-contract-extension
1. Freddie Sears is working part time with the academy as a coach. Reading this made me feel the oldest I've ever felt (which makes sense, because I am, in fact, the oldest I've ever been) https://www.whufc.com/news/freddie-sears-back-where-it-all-began
2. Academy player Junior Robinson has gone on loan to Sutton United. It's not on the OS (that I can see), but I saw this article somehow https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/sutton-united-sign-west-ham-starlet-junior-robinson-ahead-of-visit-of-hartlepool-united-4979429
3. We've released a couple of academy lads https://www.whufc.com/news/young-hammers-depart-0
He is a real prospect.
Sounds like they have been doing well for a few seasons. Would be great if we could find another superstar from our Academy to lead us to our next trophy!