- West Ham’s Development Squad face partner side VVV-Venlo on Saturday
- Sam Westley, who was on loan in Holland last season, enjoyed his experience at the club
- The link sees young players exchanged between the two sides
Terry Westley’s young Academy team have now enjoyed almost a week in the Netherlands, and have been training at Venlo’s Seacon Stadion – De Koel in preparation for Saturday’s encounter.
October last year marked the agreement of a link between the clubs, which sees young Hammers from the Academy move to mainland Europe on loan to turn out for the Eerste Divisie outfit.
While those that have the opportunity to do so gain vital experience from living and playing in a foreign country, in return, Venlo benefit on the pitch from the talented youngsters who are sent their way.
Last year, the partnership began with defender Sam Westley heading out to Holland, and he enjoyed the nine months spent there.
“It was a really positive experience,” he said. “It was a very different experience both football-wise and culture-wise. The football here is very technical and not as physical as English football.
“But the level and standard is very good here. I had never lived by myself before either, so I was learning how to cook, clean, iron…everything like that! I had Dutch lessons, too. The whole way of life was different.
“It’s a family club. Everyone is close together and a lot of the staff are from Venlo. It was a great experience for me to play here. It made me see a different side to the game, and anyone coming here can benefit from it.”
Venlo narrowly missed out on promotion to the Eredivisie last season as they finished second in Holland’s second tier, just four points behind champions Sparta Rotterdam.
VVV-Venlo Director Marco Bogers – who was involved in the initial stages of the partnership – wants the Hammers to help his club correct that this season.
He said: “It’s important for West Ham that players can develop in another country. For us, it’s important that we get to the highest division in Holland, so it works out for both of us.
“I saw the development of Sam over the year last season, both as a player and off the pitch. He was out of his comfort zone, and it’s also good for other players. We have good staff to do that, and the circumstances are OK for it.
“We discuss with Terry, every week, about more potential players coming over, but of course it depends on a lot of things. We hope that we can get two players from West Ham for next season!”
The Dev Squad, who drew 3-3 with PEC Zwolle on Wednesday, are raring to go on Saturday and Westley can’t wait to face some of his former teammates.
“It will be good to see some of those faces and play against them. Some of them have left since last campaign, but there are number of first team players who are the same, so I’m looking forward to it!
“It will be a really good game. It will be a football game, very technical on this pitch. Hopefully we can win!”
“It’s a family club. Everyone is close together and a lot of the staff are from Venlo. It was a great experience for me to play here. It made me see a different side to the game, and anyone coming here can benefit from it.”
Venlo narrowly missed out on promotion to the Eredivisie last season as they finished second in Holland’s second tier, just four points behind champions Sparta Rotterdam.
VVV-Venlo Director Marco Bogers – who was involved in the initial stages of the partnership – wants the Hammers to help his club correct that this season.
He said: “It’s important for West Ham that players can develop in another country. For us, it’s important that we get to the highest division in Holland, so it works out for both of us.
“I saw the development of Sam over the year last season, both as a player and off the pitch. He was out of his comfort zone, and it’s also good for other players. We have good staff to do that, and the circumstances are OK for it.
“We discuss with Terry, every week, about more potential players coming over, but of course it depends on a lot of things. We hope that we can get two players from West Ham for next season!”
The Dev Squad, who drew 3-3 with PEC Zwolle on Wednesday, are raring to go on Saturday and Westley can’t wait to face some of his former teammates.
“It will be good to see some of those faces and play against them. Some of them have left since last campaign, but there are number of first team players who are the same, so I’m looking forward to it!
“It will be a really good game. It will be a football game, very technical on this pitch. Hopefully we can win!”