Kaelan Casey knows West Ham United U18s find themselves in a potentially history-making position on Tuesday.
The centre-back and his teammates will travel to the Emirates Stadium to face an Arsenal U18s side led by former Hammers midfielder Jack Wilshere in the FA Youth Cup final.
The cup final clash will be the culmination of an immense 2022/23 season for Kevin Keen’s young side. Did Casey himself think such a campaign would be possible?
“Yes and no, to be honest,” the defender told whufc.com. “I believe in this group so much. We’re a good group of lads and I did think we had the quality to do this.
“But, at the same time, reaching any final is a tough challenge. You have to be at your best in every single game to get here, so it was always going to be tough. I’m proud of us for getting to the final but, of course, we all want to go that one step further.”
The Hammers have defeated the likes of Sheffield United, Burnley, Stoke City, Ipswich Town and Southampton on their journey to the final. All but one of those matches have been on the road, with each offering a unique test for the young Irons.
Of those five previous rounds, Casey points to the fourth round win away to Burnley as a key moment in the side’s progression through the tournament.
“The FA Youth Cup is a special competition. Every time we enter it, we want to do well. We haven’t done great in the last few years but, this season, it’s been a privilege to travel and play at some really great grounds.
“If I had to pick one moment, it would have to be when we beat Burnley. That was a really tough game and we didn’t expect them to come out and play in the way they did. When George scored in the last minute, that was a genuine feeling of happiness but also relief. We had to really earn that win and I think, from there, we’ve kicked on in the Cup.”
For a local lad who has been with the Academy of Football since the age of five, playing at London Stadium in the semi-final was a special moment for both Casey and his family.
Securing such an impressive 6-1 win made the night even more momentous.
“The semi-final was a brilliant night,” he continued. “It was the first time most of us have played at London Stadium and most of my family were there. Quite a few of them are West Ham fans too so they loved watching me play on that pitch.
“It was really special, and it was a proud moment for me.”
With a place in the final comes added pressures. A greater spotlight is cast on the Academy side and, for the first time for most of these players, there is media interest and external expectations.
“We’re not used to the added eyes on us, but that’s what comes with reaching a final,” Casey reasoned. “There is a higher media interest too but I think the boys are all staying laser-focused on the game itself.
“Our main job has been to get the results, and that’s what we’ve done this season, and we want to take that mindset into this final.”
Casey has played Arsenal across U18s and U21s this season, and knows how difficult a test the north London side will be.
A 2-0 win over Wilshere’s Gunners in mid-April secured the U18 Premier League South title for Keen’s young Irons but the centre-back knows the cup final will present a completely different challenge.
“Arsenal are never easy. They are always a tough side to play against but hopefully, if we can all do our jobs right, we can get the result we want to get.
“I’ve played for our U18s and our U21s against Arsenal this season and they’re always good on the ball. They are very composed, and they know how to pop it around. It’s always a hard game against Arsenal but I believe in this group and our ability and drive.”
Teams that claim FA Youth Cup success are fondly remembered by their clubs. The squads that won the tournament for West Ham on three occasions previously are still talked about by fans to this day.
Casey and his teammates know just too well how close to the history books they are. They are 90 minutes away from achieving something truly special.
“This tournament means everything,” he added. “To win it would be incredible. We’re a tightknit group and we’d love to have this accomplishment together. The last time West Ham won it was 1999, before any of us were born, so it would be historic if we could do it.
“Hopefully we can write our names into those history books and make the club and our fans proud.”
