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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