Among the disappointment of West Ham United’s 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, there was still a moment to remember for the Claret and Blue Army - and one 18-year-old member in particular.
Lewis Orford has been a Hammer all his young life, plying his trade in the Academy since the age of five, and when he entered the pitch on Saturday at London Stadium, as a 56th-minute substitute for Emerson, he became the 1,007th player to make a senior appearance for the Club.
The youngster has already packed a list of achievements into his fledgling career, lifting the FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South double with the Under-18s in the 2022/23 season.
Now, having sat on the bench as an unused substitute on 12 previous appearances, he was called upon for his first senior minutes - and with the game in the balance too - by Head Coach Graham Potter.
The result may not have gone the way the Hammers wanted, but Orford is determined to use his debut moment as fuel for more in the weeks, months and years to come.
“I started coming to training at this Club when I was five years old and I've been here ever since, so 13 odd years now,” he explained. “So obviously it's a really proud moment for me and also my family, who are big West Ham fans.
“I've been working hard in training since the new manager's come in and obviously he's trusted me today.
“It was a tough game to come into, obviously being 1-0 down. I thought we kept the ball well but just couldn't score, and it’s ended up 2-0.”
Orford has joined fellow youngsters Ollie Scarles and Kaelan Casey in being given opportunities in Potter’s matchday squad over the opening weeks of his reign in east London.
And as the youngest of the trio - still a month short of his 19th birthday - Orford is thrilled the chance to showcase his abilities has arrived at such a tender age, even if his first involvement on the senior bench came more than two years ago in the 3-0 UEFA Europa Conference League victory at Romanian side FCSB.
“It’s even better to achieve [a Premier League debut] at this age," he continued.
“Obviously I've got a few big years ahead of me. Hopefully I can just push on from this moment and as many appearances as I can.
“Being in these squads has been a huge boost for us - me, Ollie, Kaelan. I've been training with the first team ever since [Potter’s] come in.
“It’s good for the other boys in the Academy too because they know they've got something to work towards and if they're good enough then they'll get the opportunity.
“Hopefully I can stay in the squad and make as many appearances as I can. Like I said, just push on from this day because it's a very proud moment for me and also for my family.”
Orford also took the moment to thank the litany of coaches who have played their part in his development as he has made his way through the Hammers’ ranks - not least Kevin Keen and Mark Robson as he has honed his skills in the Under-18s and Under-21s age groups.
“I want to thank obviously Mark Robson as the U21s manager, and also Kev Keen from the U18s season," he added.
"I think that was probably my most memorable season at the Club so far. Just all the coaches from my development, so from the age of Under-9s and all the way up. I think they've all really helped me to get where I am and also my team-mates, all of them have been so supportive.
“Yeah, the quality is 100 per cent there in the Academy. Obviously George [Earthy] last season, me, Ollie [Scarles], Kaelan [Casey] this season. And there's a lot more to come.
“A few boys are out on loan and they’ve just got to work hard and I'm sure they'll get their chances because they're good enough.
“I’ll probably have a quiet one tonight with my family and watch Match of the Day. I don't think it'll feel real watching myself on the telly, but I've just got to get used to it!”
