West Ham youngster wins duo of awards for his impressive season in the academy of football.
Although the likes of Sam Allerdyce and David Moyes have questioned what ‘the West Ham way’ really is when it comes to how a team plays, there is little doubt about what it means individually. The West Ham way is about giving your absolute everything for the badge, it’s about that determination to not let anyone get the better of you no matter how big the task is and, above all else, it’s about being the best version of yourself as a part of society, not just on the pitch.
Keeping these morals upheld is of the upmost importance and that’s why it’s so great to have the academy full of ex players as well as lifelong West Ham fans. One player who’s really bought into the lifestyle is 17-year- old Ezra Mayers. Despite being so young, he possesses an elite mindset and that has translated into football ability which has earned him both the Dylan Tombides award and the Doris Bell trophy.
“It’s a proud moment for me and I’m happy to have won these awards,” Mayers said when speaking to WHUFC.com “I have worked hard all season with my teammates, who have helped a lot, so I am very grateful for this award. We’ve had a fantastic season in the league. We fell short in the end, but I’ve enjoyed playing with the U21s as well and it has been a great experience for me with both teams this season.”
The defender’s name was put forward for the award by U18 head coach Kevin Keen who has had absolutely nothing but positive things to say about him. “For a first year to win the award is really big because it is not something that happens too often, but Ezra has been outstanding for the U18s this season,” Keen began
“His defensive qualities, his blocks and his interceptions, are one of the reasons we have finished so high in the league. Ezra is a tenacious defender, and he has a very good left foot but on top of that, he plays for the team. The staff think the world of him – and his teammates do too. I think as long as he stays humble, which I don’t doubt that he will, and keeps working as hard as he has this season then he has every chance of playing at London Stadium one day.”
It’s big praise from someone who’s stuck with him for a whole year, but he’s not the only one overjoyed with how Mayers is developing. Academy manager Kenny Brown was just as eager to give the youngster the plaudits he deserves.
“Ezra has a maturity beyond his years and has showcased his attributes repeatedly as a young defender, impressing at Under-18 level this season, having made his debut at that level as a schoolboy last campaign.”
“Everyone at Chadwell Heath was delighted to see Ezra sign his first professional contract in January, and we are similarly pleased to see him pick up this award to cap a strong 2023/24 for him on a personal level.”
“Ezra will know that the next steps of his footballing journey are some of the most important and the hardest – and his task now is to keep the same impressive mindset of working hard every day to keep growing and learning as a young professional, alongside the full support of everyone at the Academy.”