Following a very successful two-year scholarship with West Ham United, Josh Briggs has had to be patient for his opportunity to show his talent in the Hammers’ development squad.
An U18 Premier League South and FA Youth Cup double winner, Briggs scored the fifth and final goal for the young Hammers in that memorable final at Arsenal in May 2023. In his second year, Briggs started in 20 of their 26 league fixtures, as the U18s put up a valiant defence of their title by finishing in second place, just five points behind winners Chelsea, before playing every minute in Northern Ireland U19s’ home UEFA European Championship finals tournament in the summer of 2024.
“Playing in a home EUROs was a such an incredible experience. Most of the stadiums were sold out. All my family were there. It was a really proud moment. I’ve never played in front of so many people, apart from the FA Youth Cup final, of course!" he smiled.
“It’s been great playing under [former Northern Ireland international defender] Gareth McAuley for the Northern Ireland U19s. He’s someone who’s been there and done it in the Premier League so he’s someone I can learn a lot from. I’m trying to take as much information as I can from him and incorporate it into my own game.”
Eager to take the next step in his development, Briggs would have to wait until February to make his mark in the U21s. Players in his position in excellent form and a West Ham squad storming their way to the top three of the 26-team Premier League 2 table meant opportunities have been hard to come by. However, waiting in the wings, Briggs has certainly proved himself since breaking into the starting eleven. Four wins and three clean sheets in February saw him recognised, alongside teammate Lewis Orford, as one of eight nominees for Premier League 2 Player of the Month.
He continued: “It was difficult not being in and around the team. You’ve got to stay strong and keep a good mentality. Earlier in the season, I made the bench a few times but missed the squad on other occasions. Mentally, it's quite tough. You have to put that at the back of your mind and keep going until you get your opportunity, which can sometimes feel like it's not going to come but you just have to keep believing, working hard, doing everything properly and the chance will come.
“In November, I went to Albania for the U19 European qualifiers and got some minutes playing for Northern Ireland. I got injured there and that set me back even more. I worked so hard to make sure that I would come back fitter and stronger. I think the coaches really recognised that and I got my chance in the squad.”
A centre-back during his time with the U18s, Briggs was deployed at right-wing-back, a position which he has made his own during the young Hammers’ eight-game unbeaten run in Premier League 2 which has seen them surge up the standings from 13th to third.
“The right-back position was pretty new to me,” he admitted. “I played it a little bit when I was really young. I think I’ve adapted well to it and the coaches obviously helped me as did the players around me.
“I’ve found it to be quite an enjoyable role, getting to do both the attacking and defensive side of things. I do enjoy going forward and trying to get a goal or get an assist. It's good getting involved more with the forward players as well.
“They're so good on the ball and they'll always pick you out and find you in good areas. I think it makes my job a lot easier going forward.”
His contributions going forward were on full display in the U21s’ 3-0 win away at Reading. A goal of the month contender, Sean Moore’s header at the far post was made possible by some excellent wing play from the young Hammers’ centre-back turned wing-back.
The West Ham way 💫 pic.twitter.com/v9nalXppj0
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 24, 2025
He continued: “It meant a lot [to have the players celebrate his assist]. I think the boys knew how challenging the season had been for me.
“Obviously, for that moment to happen, it just makes it so special that everyone came over to congratulate me and it just lifted my confidence so, so much. I think it's going to help me continue with the rest of the games and give me that confidence to keep pushing on and keep getting better and better.”
Playing his part at the back as well, Briggs and his West Ham teammates currently boast the best defensive record of the 26-team division, conceding just 15 goals in 17 games.
“I think that’s down to the understanding between everyone,” he observed. “We're such a good group. We do everything for each other. Everyone fights and works hard together.
“It's just a very tight-knit group. I think that's why we've had so much success in defence. Everyone is fighting for each other and wants to do everything for each other.
“I think you can see that with the reactions after the game of celebrating a clean sheet. It means so much to the whole team, but especially to the defenders and obviously the goalkeepers.”
With just three regular season games left to play, the young Hammers have their sights firmly set on a successful play-off run.
“I think for this group, anything is possible. I think we're more than capable of getting to the final and going on to win it. So, we just have to take each game as it comes and I think we're more than good enough to go all the way.”
