Back in late July, Ollie Scarles boarded a plane to Florida with the West Ham United men’s first-team squad.
Having spent the previous few months recovering from a fracture in his back, Scarles’ initial aim was to prove his fitness – and his quality to new Head Coach Julen Lopetegui and his coaching staff.
The talented youngster did just that and he has spent much of the time since training with Lopetegui’s senior squad at Rush Green.
He was named in matchday squads for Premier League matches against Everton, Newcastle United and Arsenal in November before, on Monday evening at AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium, he made his top-flight debut.
Scarles played his part in helping the Hammers pick up a valuable point, four days after his 19th birthday and over two years since his senior bow, aged just 16 years and eleven months, in a UEFA Europa Conference League win over FCSB in Romania in November 2022.
In the time in between, the Bromley-born player helped the U18s to an FA Youth Cup and U18 Premier League South double in 2023, was capped by England at U18 level, established himself in West Ham’s U21s, then showed determination and resilience to work his way back to full fitness following his injury setback in March this year.
Those qualities shone through again at Bournemouth, where he played his part in a strong defensive effort against the in-form Cherries late on, helping his side earn a draw in front of his watching parents and brother.
Afterwards, he spoke to West Ham TV about his pride, his journey and his sadness at the recent passing of 15-year-old Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs.
Ollie, you’ve worked so hard for this moment and you’re now a Premier League footballer. How does it feel?
“Yeah, it's brilliant. I've worked so hard for this moment and am just buzzing to have made my debut. It's a dream come true.”
It's two years since you played in the Europa Conference League, but tonight you were sent on in a Premier League game that was really in the balance. It shows the faith everyone at the Club has got in you?
“Yeah, definitely. I appreciate the trust from the manager to throw me on it at such a stage of the game where it could go either way really. But we dug in, fought hard, got the penalty. It's a shame we couldn't get all three points, but it's a good point away from home.”
You've been around this squad now for quite a while and you've obviously been part of it. I suppose it was a moment you were hoping would come, but perhaps you were starting to think, is it going to happen?
“Yeah, definitely. Like I said before, I'm buzzing. It's a proud moment for me and my family and one that will live with me for the rest of my life. It's a really good moment for me.”
Because you played so young, you were only 16 when you played against FCSB in 2022, you were only 19 on Thursday last week, so you're still really young! You were 18 this time last week, so there's so much time to go and get more appearances?
“Yeah, it’s a bit of a late birthday present! Since my debut back in Bucharest, it's been a long time, but obviously I had a bit of a setback with an injury at the end of last season, so this season it's just been about working hard, getting back to where I was last season and taking opportunities when I get them.”
Whenever anyone makes their debut, they just want more of it?
“Yeah, exactly, and that's what I want. I'm going to work hard to try and do that and get another opportunity and take it again.”
For people who watch our U21s and watched your team before that, they know the quality you've got, and you've got the confidence that you've got the quality now to play at the highest level?
“You could say that! I've trusted my ability. I know what I can do and I hope I can show that on the pitch by getting more opportunities and playing more first-team football.”
You’re very close to your family, so it’s fantastic that they were in Bournemouth to witness your Premier League debut?
“My Mum, Dad and brother were there, which was even more special, seeing my family up in the crowd, waving to them. As a collective, I'm proud. I know they're proud, so it'll just be a really nice moment to spend with them.
Lastly, it's obviously been a really difficult time for the Academy, particularly for coaches and players in the year groups below yours, with the passing of young goalkeeper Oscar Fairs. Do you have a message on behalf of all the lads that come through the Academy for him and his family?
“It's obviously such sad news. It’s quite a difficult topic to almost talk on, but we fought hard for Oscar and managed to get a point. It's annoying we couldn't get the three points, but that draw was for Oscar.”
