Canvey Island v West Ham United U21s
The Movie Starr Stadium, Pre-season fixture, Tuesday 8 August, 7.30pm
West Ham United U21s will end their 2023/24 pre-season preparations with a fixture at Canvey Island on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers head to the south Essex coast to face the Isthmian League Premier Division outfit ahead of their Premier League 2 opener against Arsenal on Friday 11 August.
The young Irons have beaten Colchester United 1-0 and Elche B 2-0, while a narrow defeat came against Ebbsfleet United has seen the U21s compete impressively across their first three pre-season fixtures.
Off the back of a week in southern Spain, Mark Robson’s outfit will look to maintain the momentum ahead of their development league opener.
Read on for a preview from lead coach Robson and goalkeeper Mason Terry as well as all the information you need ahead of Tuesday’s fixture!
Terry: I'm excited for a return to my local club
For Mason Terry, Tuesday’s fixture at Canvey Island will be a bit different to any other.
Born on Canvey, the shot-stopper grew up watching Tuesday’s opponents and has continued to do so, heading down to Park Lane to watch the Isthmian League outfit in action over the last year or so.
Knowing plenty of people in the stands then, the goalkeeper is keen to play his part and is also expecting a bit of stick from the home support too!
“As soon the fixture was announced this year all the West Ham boys were saying I’m gonna get getting a bit from the fans down there,” Terry laughed. “They’ll all be chanting my name, saying this and that.
“I used to go and watch Canvey a lot as a kid. I try to get to as many games as I can but it’s a bit harder now with playing with West Ham, but I know a lot of people down there so any time I can, I try and watch. It’s a great team to go and watch as well.”
Of course, a lot of Canvey Island’s supporters will also follow the Hammers, with the club based along the Thames estuary – and in particular, would have been part of the crowed who followed the U18s' run to the FA Youth Cup title last season, of which Terry more than played his part.
A starter in all six FA Youth Cup ties, the 18-year-old conceded just six goals in the tournament as the young Hammers claimed a fourth Youth Cup trophy in the Club’s history – and first since 1999.
As such, the shot-stopper was rewarded for his fine form with a well-deserved professional contract ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and he is hoping to kick off his move up to the U21s in front of a set of supporters he knows well.
“Being big West Ham fans as well, a lot of them followed us in the FA Youth Cup last year as well so I expect them to be up for it,” he added.
“The last time West Ham played at Canvey, there were about two thousand and I was one of them!”
“It’s my local team, so I am looking forward to going back and playing! A lot of Canvey fans are also West Ham fans so it should be a good atmosphere on Tuesday.”
Mark Robson seeks momentum for competitive fixtures
A trip to Canvey Island presents a chance for the Hammers to round off a successful pre-season, according to lead coach Mark Robson.
The Hammers have battled well against teams from across the English football pyramid across July, before a 2-0 win over Elche B last week.
For Robson the tour to Murcia was the perfect way to head into the final week of preparations for our Premier League 2 opener and it is vital the Hammers continue that momentum in Essex.
Robson explained: “It is shame that we have ended up having our opening PL2 game on the following Friday as we were hoping it would be played on the Monday and give us a few extra days to prepare.
“But is such a good group so we know they will give it everything and we will make sure we give the players what they need to go into that match on Tuesday so that by the match on Friday they are well prepared and ready to take on Arsenal.”
Opposition
Coached by Brad Wellmen, 2023/24 will be Canvey Island’s second campaign in the Isthmian League Premier Division following their promotion from the North Division in summer 2022.
It was almost a case of rinse and repeat as last year, the Gulls almost achieved back-to-back promotions, although they fell narrowly short, having reached the play-offs, losing on penalties to eventual winners Aveley.
Canvey enjoyed their best moments around 20 years ago, when they won the FA Trophy, earned promotion to Conference National (now the National League) and reached the FA Cup third round in a three-season span between 2000/01 and 2003/04.
West Ham legend Julian Dicks played a brief but fleeting role in that FA Cup success, featuring in the first and second round wins over Football League opponents Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town.
Last time out
Sean Moore’s first goal in Claret and Blue saw West Ham United U21s beat Elche B 2-0 in a pre-season friendly held in Murcia.
Consecutive pre-season wins saw the young Hammers prepare for their Premier League 2 opener in style having beat Colchester United last week.
How to follow?
While there will be no live coverage of Tuesday's game, we will have report, reaction, and highlights on whufc.com shortly after the final whistle.
Tickets
Admission to this game is purchased at the turnstiles. Turnstiles will be open from 5.30pm.
Prices are £10 for Adults, £5 for Concessions (Students with Valid ID/Over-60s) and £2 for Under-16s (Accompanied by an Adult).
Cash and Card payments are available at the gate. Canvey Island recommends cash payments be paid to the exact total required to avoid delays.
More matchday information from Tuesday’s hosts can be found here.
