West Ham U21s are set to play against Boreham Wood in the National League Cup final on Tuesday evening.
The Hammers academy have gone unbeaten in the competition, setting up an exciting showdown at the Wood’s Meadow Park.
Hundreds of West Ham fans are expected to attend the game in Hertfordshire to support the next generation.
However, they will not see one young Hammer who is not allowed to play in the final because of an unfortunate rule.
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Junior Robinson will miss the National League Cup final
West Ham youngster Junior Robinson is spending the second half of the 2025/26 season on loan at Boreham Wood.
The 21-year-old defender has not been a key player during his loan spell, making just six appearances in all competitions.
He has not played at all for the Wood in the National League Cup after playing for West Ham U21s earlier in the competition.
Those rules forced Boreham Wood manager Luke Garrard to leave an empty spot on the bench in the quarter-final.
However, even if Robinson were allowed to play in the tournament, he might not have been eligible for the final.
FA rules typically prevent loan players from competing against their parent club unless permission is granted.
Either way, Robinson is likely disappointed to miss the chance to play in a final, even if it would have been his Hammers teammates.
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