The significance of this week’s FA Youth Cup semi-final at London Stadium will not be lost on West Ham United U18s, according to Kevin Keen.
The young Hammers welcome the Saints to east London for the last four clash on Thursday, with the winners heading on to face Arsenal in the final after the Gunners beat Manchester City 2-1 AET on Tuesday evening.
Despite a late 4-3 loss at home to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, the Irons are top of U18 Premier League South and on course for a sensational 2022/23 campaign.
Head coach Keen knows how important Thursday’s match is, both in the context of the campaign so far and for each of the young players on a personal level.
“The lads knew about the game being at London Stadium before I did!” Keen said. “It’s fantastic for the lads though. For some of them, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
“For a few of them though, there might be more chances to play even more times at London Stadium with the first team. And maybe even one or two of them might go on to play a lot of games there, with West Ham United. That’s the overarching goal.
“We’ve done quite well away from home, and there’s always a bit more attention on a home game. But we’re delighted for the boys to get that amazing opportunity to play at the home stadium. We have to say though, that we’ve done quite well away from home so far.”
The U18s have reached the semi-final stage of the tournament for the first time since 1999; the last year West Ham went all the way and won the competition.
Keen is proud of the effort, talent and fortitude shown by his squad in reaching the last four and is hopeful the journey will continue past Thursday.
“I’ve been back here for four seasons and this is the furthest we’ve come in the FA Youth Cup,” he continued. “There was a bit of a struggle before that. But the Youth Cup has this polish and real lure for players because you’ve only got two years to play in it. After that, it’s gone.
“But this year has been fantastic. We’re going to play at London Stadium and we’ve also played at Portman Road and the Bet365 Stadium. So it’s been great in that regard and hopefully we can keep that going and get to the final.”
A number of individuals who have regularly featured for the U21s this season will be hoping to once again be involved on Thursday, having been a significant aspect of the run to the semi-finals so far.
Speaking on his potential selection, Keen said: “The Saturday morning games are different to the Youth Cup. For example, when we played Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, there were a few players who were with the U21s playing Blackburn Rovers at Rush Green instead. But we’ll have those players back for Thursday night. Southampton will have the same situation too.
“But it shows that togetherness in our squad. It’s not just certain names, there are some younger lads that have done really well and are coming through. But one of the Saturday morning games we’ve lost this year was actually down to Southampton too, so we’ve got that in mind.”
Whatever happens on Thursday, against Southampton, Keen’s pride in his U18s team is evident. A hard-fought season is creeping towards its conclusion and the head coach has taken great delight in seeing how far the players have come – not just as players, but as people also.
It is that development and progression hat is truly what Academy football is all about.
“Everything about this group is exciting to me,” He added. “The opportunity they’ve got, to play in the first team here, is exciting to me. Watching them play on a Saturday morning excites me. There are so many exciting things about this group.
“It also excites me that the second-year group have just got unbelievable results in their education. Everyone has finished their education two months early and have got distinctions for their efforts. That excites me.
“It really makes me happy and excites me that they are turning into young adults that are proud to represent this football club, and we’re proud to have them do so.”
