First team you supported?
I grew up as a Liverpool fan, mainly just because of my Dad. My Dad's always been a Liverpool fan as they were doing well when he was growing up, so when I grew up, that was the household team, so I followed suit and was watching them. But obviously since joining West Ham, I've loved following how we do and obviously now that I play for us, I support West Ham all the way!
First football hero?
I grew up idolising Steven Gerrard. He was my favourite player as a youngster. He’s the one who sticks out the most to me. I remember me and my brother had this DVD of every goal he’d scored in his career and we used to watch it over and over again as kids! Seeing players like Fernando Torres and Luis Suárez and people like that come through Liverpool, I loved watching them too.
First game you watched live as a supporter?
I went to Liverpool against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield when I was three! Dad started me young! I’ve got a pennant from the game [played in 2008] in my room. I can’t remember it, but Dad told me Steven Gerrard scored.
First football kit you wore?
Probably a Liverpool home kit, but I can’t remember which season it was!
First club you played for?
It was a Sunday League team in south-east London called the Dutch Football Academy. I was there from the ages of five until nine. I’m from Bromley and I got scouted from the Dutch Football Academy by Chelsea, West Ham and Arsenal when I was seven or eight. I chose Chelsea because it was closest to home so the travel was so much easier, but then I was released by Chelsea at eleven and joined West Ham at the start of Under-12s as I had friends here who I already knew. I had a trial here and four weeks into it I was offered a place at the Academy.
First position you played?
When I was with my Sunday League team, believe it or not I was a striker! I had a good left foot and could strike a ball well, so that’s where I started off. At Chelsea, I was a holding midfielder or left-back then, when I came to West Ham, I found my position as a left-back and that’s where I am now.
First mentor in football?
My Dad has been behind me the whole way, believed in me and the travel he has had to do for my whole career, getting me to places before I could drive, has been mental. His name is Terry and props to him! He’s had my back the whole way and given me so much advice. I’m grateful to him and my Mum, Kate, as well.
First professional game you played in?
My debut was 3 November 2022, I was 16 and it was in Bucharest in the Conference League. I just missed out on becoming the youngest player to play for West Ham! It was some experience! I’d like to count it that I got an assist as I put in a cross that the ‘keeper spilled and Pablo Fornals put the ball in! It was surreal. I still look back at it now and think ‘Did that really happen?’. It was weird and all such a blur. I had travelled to two games before - one of them was Anderlecht away - and then in training the manager put me as a starter and it just happened. Obviously I didn’t expect it. It was out of the blue. Playing the game was a different experience to anything I’d had before!
First professional goal you scored?
It wasn’t my first goal, but it was the first one I scored after my debut! It was the week after we played in Bucharest and we played Tottenham in Premier League 2. It finished 1-0 and I scored the only goal with a free-kick from 25 or 30 yards. It was nominated for Goal of the Month. I hit it so sweet! That was the best week of my life!
First international cap you won?
It was against Belgium for England Under-15s. It was at St George’s Park in the dome. Belgium were very good and we lost the game. It was a reality check of how good players were abroad. It was a great experience being away with England for the first time. I’ve since played for England 15s, 16s and went to the U17 Euro qualifiers, and I’ve now been capped by the 18s and got called up by the 20s last month. It’s a proud moment to be called-up and being recognised for your country is a massive thing.
