The West Ham Syndrome
Welcome to The West Ham Syndrome, a podcast about West Ham, but with a bit of a twist. Look, we know there are already loads of brilliant Hammers pods out there, but this one’s going to be a little different. We’re not just here to ride the highs and lows of every matchday. Don’t worry, we’ll still talk about the games, because that’s what we all live for, but our focus is more on everything else that makes West Ham, well… West Ham.
We’ll be getting into the bigger stories off the pitch and we’ve got some fun features lined up too. Think rewatching old season review DVDs, flicking through classic programmes and magazines, and unearthing some of the forgotten stories that make following this club such a rollercoaster.
So, if you’ve ever wondered why supporting West Ham feels like a condition we can’t quite shake, this one’s for you. This is The West Ham Syndrome, talking West Ham beyond the matchday.
The West Ham Syndrome
Episode 8: Inside the Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham's Academy with Paul Brand
West Ham United’s academy has produced some of the most iconic players in English football history, from Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking to Rio Ferdinand and Declan Rice. But behind the legends lies a far more complex and human story: the hopes, highs, and heartbreaks of the countless young players striving to make it at The Academy of Football.
In this episode of The West Ham Syndrome, Andrew and Max are joined by author Paul Brand to discuss his new book Inside the Academy: The Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham United’s Youth. Paul lifts the lid on what makes West Ham’s academy so special, the coaches and culture that shape it, and why the “West Ham way” still carries so much weight today.
From the barriers that stop promising talents from making the first team to the realities faced by those who leave the academy behind, this episode digs into the stories you rarely hear and the values that define West Ham’s identity.
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