THE Boleyn babies of 1999 have finally been emulated – and in some style thanks to Gideon Kodua’s 35-yard stunner.
It was 24 years ago that the likes of Joe Cole and Michael Carrick led West Ham’s youngsters to the FA Youth Cup with a 9-0 victory against Coventry City over two legs.
That was their third youth cup triumph, adding to the glory years of 1963 and 1981.
Now, after an historic evening at the Emirates, the class of 2023 have made it four – stuffing Jack Wilshere’s young Guns in their own North London backyard.
New names will be etched into the history books, such as goal scorers George Earthy, Callum Marshall, skipper Kodua, Kaelan Casey and Josh Briggs.
Divin Mubama and Oliver Scarles – who have already tasted first team football under David Moyes this season – also shone brightly.
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The 7,000 raucous travelling West Ham fans – who treated this like an FA Cup final proper – will be hoping at least one of those could be the new Cole or Carrick.
It has been so long since the club’s faithful supporters have had a Golden Generation of East London graduates to idolise. Maybe this is the start of something.
The FA Youth Cup is often the breeding ground for future stars on the big stage, from Manchester City’s Jadon Sancho in 2017 to Everton’s Wayne Rooney in 2002.
But as former academy boy, club legend and now sporting director Mark Noble said before kick-off, whatever happens from now, these lads will be remembered forever.
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Current captain Declan Rice watched on from the stands. He may be leaving in the summer to play in this very stadium, but as a fellow Hammers alumni, he will have been proud.
Now, it is down to him and his senior teammates to go one better and lift a trophy of their own in the Europa Conference League ahead of next month’s semi-final against AZ Alkmaar.
Coming from behind after Omari Benjamin’s stunner in the seventh minute for the hosts, Kevin Keen’s West Ham never looked back.
Gunners coach Wilshere knows all about that winning feeling in this competition, lifting the trophy in 2009 before going on to become one of the club’s best players.
As a young coach, 31, he has now tasted defeat, but under his guise the development of Reuell Walters, Amario Cozier-Duberry, Myles Lewis-Skelly and 16-year-old Ethan Nwaneri – who made his Prem debut at Brentford in September – is promising.
In front of a 34,000 crowd, Arsenal started the better side with Benjamin curling a first-time beauty into the top corner.
Yet West Ham responded emphatically. Earthy and Marshall scored one each in the 17th and 19th minute before Kodua then hit a stunning chip from 35 yards out.
As Arsenal tired, West Ham added the cherry on the cake from corners via Casey and Briggs.
Arsenal coach Jack Wilshere said: “It’s difficult at the moment to analyse the run. The boys have been exceptional. Big lessons tonight and important they take them but they should be proud.
“They have given me and the staff some unbelievable memories and when they happen you have to appreciate them. The boys are on the floor in the dressing room but they have to learn from that.
“My overriding feeling is devastation, for myself and the boys. You lose a final 5-1 at home it looks bad and it can affect you. It looks like a disaster. We had moments, but we didn’t manage it.
“These boys are on a good pathway and we will continue supporting them. It is not a make-or-break night. You measure development over time not on one night. It is down to them.”
West Ham coach Kevin Keen said: “This is my 40th season in football and it is as proud as I have ever been. To come here and have that support behind us, it is an incredible moment for the academy and the club.
“After such a long time for a club associated with its academy, it is a massive moment. In the past there was a lot of pressure attached to being the Academy of Football, but hopefully we have dispelled that.
“Mark Noble and Declan Rice were on the side of the pitch. Hopefully we have a few here who will have careers at this club.
“I’d take this group above everyone for the rest of my life.
“They were going nuts in the dressing room, but they won’t be going out for any beers, not even me.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
