George Earthy receives high praise from two West Ham legends after winning the young Hammer of the year award.

When you get a youngster come through into the first team and have those iconic moments early on in their career, they are ones that are never forgotten by fans. Freddie Sears debut goal, Reece Oxford’s first performances are two great examples, and there is little doubt that George Earthy’s goal against Luton will be another one.

His efforts in training and for the youth team have been so excellent that he not only is one of the only youth players to get a chance under Moyes, but he’s also been named at the young Hammer of the year, something he says is “a huge honour”.

“I have so many people to thank,” he told the official site, “especially the coaches I’ve worked with during my time at the Academy, and the senior coaches for giving me this chance.”

When it comes to coaches, Steve Potts has undoubtedly played a massive role in his development and he believes he is fully deserving of the opportunities that are coming his way. “There have been some top performers across the development squad this year, so it has been a really tough one to pick but I don’t think anyone in the squad would begrudge George getting the award because he has been fantastic for us,” Potts gleamed.

“He gives you a lot of quality, George. He has top football intelligence and that adds another layer to the way the U21s want to and can play with him in the eleven.”

“He gives you assists and goals, but most importantly he works hard, and he is always at the top of our running stats. With all that combined, what he brings to the team is priceless.”

“It starts with the intensity of how he trains every day and sometimes you have to drag him in because he has that love for the game. Myself and the coaching staff can’t speak highly enough of him and how good he has been this year.”

As a boyhood West Ham fan, one of Earthy’s biggest role models growing up would have been Mark Noble. The privilege he must feel to work under him is unimaginable, but he must be absolutely overjoyed with how much praise the Hammers legend has for him.

“This award is fully deserved and fitting recognition for the fantastic season that George has enjoyed,” said Noble. “He has a fantastic attitude towards his development. He works hard on and off the pitch, listens to advice and always wants to get better. It is testament to his personality and talent that the first-team players have accepted him into the group, and you could see when he came on against Fulham last month that they immediately trusted him.”

“George has been with the Academy since the age of six, so he knows the Football Club inside out and loves being here. At the age of seven, he walked out with me as a mascot – I still have the photograph – and it has been a pleasure to watch him grow and develop ever since then, both as a player and as a person.”

“I’ll never forget, around four years ago, I was first-team captain at the time, and George was 15. I was at Chadwell Heath with my son, and George asked me if I would watch some of his clips with him in the video room because he wanted to learn and find that little extra to help push him on.”

“That told me all about his attitude and his determination to be better. If he continues to work hard and build on the progress he has made this year, I’ve no doubt he has everything it takes to have a big future at this Club.”

Hearing what Noble and Potts have had to say about him really does make you believe he could be the next big thing to come out of the academy of football. Obviously, the hard work is only just beginning, but that type of mentality is one the elites possess. He is fully deserving of his recent opportunities, his first Premier League goal and the young Hammer of the year award. Hopefully we see a lot more of him next season.