As the summer approaches, and West Ham United’s next generation battle to win Graham Potter’s affections, the 2025/26 campaign could be a very big one in the careers of George Earthy, Oliver Scarles and Callum Marshall.
It is, after all, two years since West Ham United secured their first FA Youth Cup triumph since the turn of the Century. Earthy, Scarles and Marshall have all succeeded in building upon that undoubted potential in the following 25 months, a first-team spot for the fresh-faced trio now closer than ever before.
But what became of Mark Robson’s eight other starters from that historic 5-1 obliteration of Arsenal?
And if Earthy is the perhaps closest to securing a spot in Potter’s plans, especially after a super loan spell at Bristol City, who are the other rising stars to watch out for as pre-season looms?
Mason Terry
Talented goalkeeper Mason Terry likened his journey to that of Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson in conversation with the club’s official website. A reference to their shared roots in non-league.
Pickford had Alfreton Town. Pope had Harrow Borough. Ramsdale had Worksop. And Henderson had Stockport County.
For Terry, the Hammers prospect has made a home in Hornchurch during a season at the National League South outfit.
And with Hornchurch enjoying their highest league finish since being promoted six years ago, Terry will return to The Hammers with a highly-impressive 17 clean sheets in his collection.
Ryan Battrum
Still only 19, Battrum was rewarded for his progress behind the scenes with a new two-year contract back in February. The right-back has now captained The Hammers at both Under-18 and Under-21 level, showcasing the sort of natural leadership ability which has earned the admiration of iconic skipper-turned-sporting director Mark Noble.
“His dedication, ability and work ethic this season have seen him consistently give strong performances and we are all delighted that he has signed an extension to his contract,” academy boss Kenny Brown beamed.
“Looking further ahead, this extension provides Ryan with stability and knowledge that he is well thought of at the Club and allows him to concentrate on his next stage of his development.”
Kaelan Casey
Scorer of West Ham’s fourth goal in that drubbing of The Gunners, Casey is another like Battrum who’s maturity caught the eye. The England Under 20 international donned the armband both in Premier League 2 and EFL Trophy action this term.
A semi-regular goalscorer from centre-half, Casey appears ripe for a bigger role next term after making two cameo appearances in the Premier League, one coming under Graham Potter.
“Winning the FA Youth Cup was a high for everyone, and I have a lot of special memories of that night, while making my debut and playing in the Premier League was unreal and another proud moment for me and my family,” says Casey, who made his senior Hammers debut against Luton in 2024.
“I’m definitely proud of what I have achieved. I’ve come through the ranks, played at every age group and been here since I was five years old. It’s been a dream, really, especially representing the team that I grew up supporting.”
Regan Clayton
That Mark Robson promoted Regan Clayton to the Under-23 squad while still only 17 spoke volumes about the speed of his development during those latter teenage years.
Now 20, the attack-minded left-back appears ready to make another step up – this time to men’s football – after a spell out on loan at Dagenham and Redbridge in Non-League. Albeit a spell which ended in relegation.
“I think Regan comes with a different balance at left-back,” Daggers coach Lewis Young said following Clayton’s arrival in the spring. “I thought he handled [the new challenge] fantastic.”
Oliver Scarles
Arguably no one in that Youth Cup winning side has made more progress over the last two years than Scarles.
While results, and performances, have been mixed, Scarles featured in 11 out of 12 Premier League matches recently. Potter even handed him the unenviable task of man-marking Mo Salah.
With Aaron Cresswell’s contract expiring and presuming West Ham are open to offers for Emerson Palmieri, that Scarles has emerged as a genuine first-team option could save The Hammers from needing to go big on an external replacement.
“He trains hard every day, but he’s a great person as well,” Potter said. “He’s fully committed, loves the club, loves the team, and he wants to play for West Ham.
“He’s got a lot going for him, and really his personality is really impressive.”
Lewis Orford
After a stellar April, Lewis Orford was nominated for Premier League 2 Player of the Month award this week alongside the similarly in-form Kamarai Swyer.
A hard-working yet technically-gifted young midfielder, Orford idolises West Ham legend Noble. The admiration, it appears, goes both ways.
“I’ve known Lewis for a long time,” Noble says of Orford, now under contract until 2029. “I’ve watched him train and play as a kid. He’s a fantastic passer of the ball. And what excites me is that he’s still got so much to learn.”
Often labelled the ‘next Declan Rice’ by those in the know, Orford appears to possess the self-confidence and crucially the raw talent to justify to such lofty expectations.
Patrick Kelly
There are loan spells, and there are loan spells.
Patrick Kelly will return to West Ham a League Two champion after his Doncaster Rovers outfit claimed the title on the final day of the season.
Doncaster boss Grant McCann wanted more ‘aggression’ and more discipline out of possession earlier in the campaign. It’s fair to say Kelly – a cult hero in South Yorkshire – obliged, McCann saying that the 2022 addition from Coleraine had seen his performances go ‘through the roof’ since that little pep talk.
Lessons such as this could take him very far indeed.
Callum Marshall
Another, like Kelly, who will hope to look back on a fine loan spell in Yorkshire as the moment where his career really took off. Callum Marshall won Huddersfield Town’s Player of the Year award, albeit competition was pretty low in a poor season for The Terriers.
A prolific goalscorer for The Hammers at Under 18 and Under 21 level – he tapped home a gorgeous Gideon Kodua cross to hammer another nail in Arsenal’s coffin back in 2023 – Marshall’s tally of nine League One goals represents a very respectable return from a young striker playing men’s football for the very first time.
George Earthy
While Kelly and Marshall have both seen the curtains close on their seasons, arguably the jewell of this current West Ham crop still has at least 180 minutes to go.
270, provided Bristol City can see off Sheffield United and set up a play-off final meeting with either Sunderland or Coventry City at Wembley.
Graham Potter plans to give George Earthy a chance to impress in pre-season. An impressive ball-carrier with a fierce shot from the edge of the area, Earthy showcased the sort of poacher’s instincts a centre-forward would be proud off when snaffling a late brace in a dramatic 2-1 win over Middlesbrough.
A real coming of age moment.
Former boss David Moyes sees shades of David Silva in young Earthy, his ability to float between the lines and pick up possession in blind spots reminiscent of the Manchester City great.
Gideon Kodua
The man who provided the standout moment of that Youth Cup obliteration with a sublime 35-yard lob into the back of the Arsenal net, Kodua was not prolific on loan at Wycombe Wanderers this season but what he lacked in relentlessness he made up for in timing.
Three goals, a trio of 3-2 Wycombe wins. Kodua’s 92nd minute decider in a frantic win at Rotherham United typified his ability to make crucial contributions in key moments.
“For me personally, I feel I’m going in the right direction,” Kodua told the Wycombe website, having made 30 League One appearances across the last two seasons.
“It has been a huge step up for me but I’ve got to say thank you to the gaffer [now Luton boss Matt Bloomfield] because he’s taught me a lot and given me chances and allowed me to grow into the game.
“I have my own ambitions but I take it day by day. I’d love to play in the Premier League and cement my place in the team, play in big games, win trophies. I feel there’s a lot in this game for me because I believe in myself and I believe one day I will get there and people will know who I am.”
Divin Mubama
The only member of West Ham’s Youth Cup-winning XI no longer contracted to the claret and blue club, Divin Mubama broke many Hammers hearts when defecting to Manchester City after terms over a new contract could not be agreed.
Given that West Ham’s striker issues are eternally ongoing, and that Man City reportedly only see Mubama as an option for their reserve side at present, one wonders if the clinical centre-forward will look back on his departure with a pang of regret later down the line.
As relentless for Man City as he was for West Ham, Mubama remains in contention for the Premier League 2 Golden Boot after scoring ten times in only nine appearances.
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