Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie between West Ham United and Macclesfield Town conjures unforgettable memories for Zavon Hines.
For it was in an EFL Cup meeting with the Silkmen ten years ago that the Academy of Football graduate made a goalscoring debut for the Hammers at the Boleyn Ground.
With Lee Bowyer, Carlton Cole and fellow Academy product Kyel Reid also on target, Hines made a winning start to his West Ham career in a 4-1 extra-time victory.
I’d considered myself lucky to have got off the bench and it was an amazing feeling, when I got my goal
Zavon Hines
“I’ve got great memories,” Hines, now with Martin Allen’s Chesterfield in the National League, told the Official Programme for this week’s third-round game. “The League Cup’s served me well and I’m grateful for the opportunities that it’s given me because the early rounds provided the only realistic chance for young players to get into the first team.”
Indeed, with West Ham trailing to a side 75 places below them – the same gap that exists between the two teams this week – Hines took his moment with both feet, when Alan Curbishley pitched the 19-year-old rookie into action as a replacement for Swiss star Valon Behrami.
“Coming through the Academy, all I’d ever wanted to do was play for West Ham United and once I was given that chance, I wanted to embrace it.
“I’d considered myself lucky to have got off the bench and it was an amazing feeling, when I got my goal. I loved every second.”
Following relegation in 2011, Hines moved on to Burnley, then AFC Bournemouth on loan and Bradford City, where he created another memorable personal EFL Cup story.
“I didn’t want to leave West Ham,” he insists. “But Sam Allardyce arrived and I didn’t think I’d get many opportunities so I stepped out of the box and tried something different. I needed to play.”
Having reached the semi-finals with West Ham in 2011, losing to Birmingham City, Hines went one better with giantkillers Bradford to sensationally reach the final in 2013.
“It was unheard of for a League Two club to get to Wembley,” said the 29-year-old, who accompanied ex-Hammers Reid and Blair Turgott on the Bantams’ barnstorming run, which only ended in defeat by Premier League Swansea City.
“Bradford had great team spirit amongst players, who could’ve been at a higher level. I enjoyed every moment of that run.”
If Hines’ story is anything to go by, West Ham will need to be wary of another League Two club, Macclesfield, when they take to the London Stadium pitch tonight.
One man who will most certainly take an interest is Zavon Hines.
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