The moment Anton Ferdinand heard about West Ham United’s involvement in The Soccer Tournament (TST), he knew he had to be part of the squad.
Ferdinand in one of a 14-man West Ham United squad making the trip to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina this week for the inaugural TST; a $1million, winner-takes-all, 7v7 world championship tournament.
The Hammers, including Ferdinand and the likes of Carlton Cole, Jimmy Walker, Marlon Harewood and Academy of Football talent Archie Woods and Keenan Appiah-Forson, are one of 32 teams from across the globe in the competition, which will be contest in World Cup-style format from Thursday.
After hearing his childhood Club was entering the first competition, there was no doubt in Ferdinand’s mind that he wanted to be involved.
“I was a bit like ‘where’s my phone call?’” the former centre-back said.
“So I got on the phone to Marlon Harewood straight away and I said to him ‘Any danger of me getting involved in this? If you want to win this, you need me!’
“West Ham is in my DNA. I’m someone who went from the stands watching West Ham, to the pitch. It’s unexplainable. People associate me with West Ham because that’s how I speak about the Club. It’s my Club.”
Ferdinand made 163 appearances in Claret and Blue during his time with the Club, with 16 of those outings at centre-back coming alongside fellow Academy graduate Elliot Ward.
The partnership between the two defenders was a crucial aspect of West Ham’s promotion back to the Premier League in the 2004/05 season, and Ferdinand is looking forward to pairing up with Ward again.
“I’m looking forward to playing with Elliott Ward. He and I developed a partnership that essentially played a massive role in us getting promoted back into the Premier League.”
West Ham will play twice in Group B on Thursday 1 June. They will first come up against Far East United (10.30am EDT / 3.30pm BST) before facing Dallas United (6.30pm EDT / 11.30pm BST).
The group stage will then conclude for the east London side on Friday 2 June against Culture By Mo Ali FC (10.30am EDT / 3.30pm BST).
The Irons will be managed by Apprentice and Celebrity MasterChef star, TV personality and Hammers supporter Tom Skinner.
“I’m looking forward to working with Tom Skinner,” Ferdinand added. “He epitomises West Ham. He’s a lifelong West Ham fan.
“Hearing ‘La Bosh’ from the side-lines while we’re playing is something I’m looking forward to. Let’s hope we’re all saying it come the end.”
