£4million development opens

  • by Staff Writer
  • Tuesday, 2nd April 2019

West Ham United's refurbished Academy HQ at Chadwell Heath has opened its doors for the first time.

The £4million development was officially opened this morning with a host of dignitaries present from both the club's past and future, including Manuel Pellegrini, Tony Carr plus representatives of the Lyall and Greenwood families.


Thew new Academy opens for business [pic: whufc.com]


"This is a proud and special day for West Ham United, as we celebrate another magnificent step forward for our Academy," read a statment produced on behalf of co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan.

"With Declan Rice making a fantastic start to his senior England career last week, four Academy graduates making their first team debuts in Manuel Pellegrini’s team this season and a number of Academy scholars representing their countries at junior international level, the future is looking extremely bright.

"As a Board, we are absolutely committed to ensuring the Academy goes from strength to strength and that we continue to recruit and develop the best young players.

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2003: Paolo Di Canio prepares for an end-of-season fixture in the Chadwell sun


"The investment of time, energy and continued hard work from all of our fantastic staff here at Chadwell Heath will hopefully ensure that we continue to produce many more Trevor Brookings, Mark Nobles and Declan Rices in the years to come.

"Not only that, but we want the young players and their families who come here to know that they are walking into an environment of excellence and care, where they will develop and grow as people as well as players, benefit from first-class facilities and see a clear pathway to Premier League football in a claret and blue shirt.

"Chadwell Heath holds such an important and special place in the heart of West Ham United. There is such a rich history here to cherish, which the young players can feel as they walk through the door.

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2001: New signing David James leans on the Chadwell Heath gates


"It is an inspirational location but we also we have to keep moving forwards and ensuring that the environment is also modern and leading the way in terms of the facilities we offer, not only for the players who are here now, but also those we want to attract in the future."

Chadwell Heath has been owned by West Ham for more than 50 years, and has been redeveloped several times since becoming the club's first team base in the 1960s.

It is now used primarily as the home of the club's Academy and Women's teams, with the first team having moved to the club's Rush Green complex in 2016.


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