West Ham United captain Jarrod Bowen was among those to send his backing to Greg Lincoln’s trophy-hunting under-21s ahead of Tuesday’s National League Cup final against Boreham Wood.
While Bowen dreams of lifting the FA Cup in a claret and blue shirt, the club’s next generation can get their hands on a rare piece of silverware at Meadow Park this evening.
West Ham face Boreham Wood in a 7pm kick-off.
West Ham’s U21s can win a trophy on Tuesday! 🏆 🍾
What would silverware mean for our academy?
Greg Lincoln’s side saw off Tamworth in the semi-finals, while scoring 17 goals in just six matches throughout the competition.
In a video posted on West Ham United’s official X account, Jarrod Bowen, Ollie Scarles and Freddie Potts all took the chance to remind Josh Ajala, Lewis Orford and co that they will have the entire claret and blue community behind them.
Jarrod Bowen urges West Ham United to take home the National League Cup trophy
“I just wanted to wish you good luck in the final,” said Bowen. “You’ve represented the club in the best possible way.
“Getting to a final in the first place is hard enough, but the way you’ve applied yourselves – and the group that you are – is outstanding. You should be proud of yourselves; your families will be proud of you, and we are proud of you as a club.
“Go and do one more. Go and win the final. All the best, lads.”
Scarles and Potts both rose through the ranks to establish themselves as first-team players at Rush Green. They are both fine examples for the current crop to follow.
Left-back Scarles won the FA Youth Cup in 2023. Three years later, he now has 27 Premier League appearances under his belt.
“All the best in the final!” smiles Scarles. “You’ve done really well to get this far, and we’ll all be behind you. Bring it home!”
“Bring home that trophy,” Potts adds. “I know there will be a lot of support from everyone at West Ham.”
Fernandes predicts a big future for Freddie Potts!
Who do YOU think will replace Bowen as the captain? ⚒️ 🇨
Greg Lincoln thinks reaching the final ‘says a huge amount’
The ‘unplayable’ Josh Ajala will claim the National League Cup Golden Boot if he repeats last season’s brace in the Premier League Cup final over Reading. Playmaker Lewis Orford travels to Boreham Wood in fine form, while centre-half Airidas Golambeckis is expected to captain the Hammers after recovering from a recent injury.
“The squad and all the staff are really looking forward to the final,” Lincoln tells the official West Ham website. “There’s a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to give the players the platform to perform, improve and develop.
“It’s an experience, I think, as a group, as a whole, that we’re really embracing.
“I think it says a huge amount about the progress that this group of players are making but also us as a football club. We pride ourselves on the togetherness, the Academy of Football, developing and nurturing our own players.”
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