Billy Bates has been working towards this moment his entire life.
After a successful season with West Ham United U18s, the Academy of Football graduate has been rewarded with his first professional contract.
Bates has impressed since his move from Norwich to east London in 2020, and the centre-back was delighted to receive the positive news from Academy manager Kenny Brown that he will continue his career in Claret and Blue.
“I’m over the moon and I can’t believe it to be honest,” he told whufc.com. “I’m absolutely buzzing. Kenny told me and I just didn’t know what to do. It means that I’ve been rewarded for all of the hard work that I’ve put in and I’m buzzing for myself and for my family.
“My family were all in shock but they were so happy for me at the same time. It was a great moment for everyone.”
After suffering a long-term knee injury setback in 2021, Bates demonstrated great determination and discipline to return to the pitch at the start of the 2022/23 season.
Bates will never forget the emotional moment when he topped off his return to the starting XI with a goal in a 6-3 victory against Aston Villa.
He reflected: “Last year I ruptured my ACL and I also tore my meniscus which resulted in me being out of action for 14 months. I missed the whole of last season and then had a few issues this season too.
“It has still been a bit of an on-and-off season but hopefully next season I’ll be able to take my chances and show everyone how good I am.
“I was nervous going into my first game back, but I managed to get the goal and words cannot explain the feelings that I felt when the ball hit the back of the net.
“I didn’t know what to do so I ran to the corner flag and all of my teammates just jumped on me. It was really overwhelming to be fair. I was absolutely buzzing after that game.”
It has been an historic season for Bates and the U18 side, who claimed a historic double by winning the FA Youth Cup as well as the U18 Premier League South division.
Bates suggested that the togetherness of the group has played a key part in the side’s success throughout the 2022/23 season.
He confirmed: “It’s been a great year for all of the lads. Everyone has been together as a group no matter what, whether some boys are with the U21s one week, or whether you’re one of the lads who has spent the whole year with the U18s.
“Everyone has played their part, whether that’s the players or the coaching staff. It’s been a top season and we’ve really enjoyed it.
“We just bounce off of each other every single day. We have lots of laughs and banter in the changing room and in the gym, and that’s something that really helps us when we go onto the pitch.
“We all feel comfortable with each other and we all get along really well, so that can only be a positive when we get onto the pitch. They’re all great lads.”
Bates is now eager to kick on in the Academy of Football at development level and make a breakthrough to the U21s and, ultimately, the first-team squad.
“I feel like this season has been a bit up and down and obviously I’ve come back from a big injury too so I was never going to be playing every game,” he observed.
“I only played around 12 times in the league and I’d obviously love to play in more. I just can’t wait to have a full season with hopefully no injuries and then I’ll have the opportunity to show what I’m about.
“This is a great group of lads and I feel like we can achieve great things again next year. We just need to stick together again and give our all.
“For me, I just want to take any opportunities that I get with both hands. I want to show everyone at this football club what I am capable of.”
