While top-flight Football gets all the attention in most nations, other levels of the game often get left out.
Be it lower-division Football, non-league Football, or even Youth Football at the highest level, the senior-most league usually rakes in all of the fanfare, leaving the others little to contend with.
This makes it especially lovely to see the non-glamourous stages of the game receive their due attention, as was the case during West Ham U18s’ game against Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup final.
The fans of last season’s winners, Manchester United, made the headlines by packing out Old Trafford to watch their side lift the prestigious trophy.
While the hosts of this season’s final, contested at the Emirates, failed to produce such an effort, the travelling fans made sure to pick up the slack.
To cheer on the young Hammers, a pack of 7,000 fans flooded out the away section of the Emirates, they also drowned out the relatively limited home support in the process.
Such an incredible display of fanfare is far from normal, and it certainly had an impact on the young team on the pitch.
After going 1-0 down in the first half, the Hammers rallied, and with the force of 7,000 East Londoners behind them, they produced an incredible comeback.
It started with the equalizer, which came courtesy of a powerful strike from George Earthy.
The second came after Callum Marshal tapped home a lovely cross from Gideon Kodua, completing the comeback.
West Ham continued to pile up on their advantage, as they extended their lead through a sensational lob from Kodua, one that was tailor-made for the highlight reel.
The final 2 goals came from set pieces during the second half. And in the end, West Ham lifted the title for the first time since 1999.
Aside from the horde of passionate Hammers, the game was spectated by a prominent member of the senior team and a man who is West Ham through and through.
First-team captain Declan Rice and club legend-turned-Sporting director Mark Nobel were both in attendance for the match, further emphasizing the brilliant support afforded to West Ham’s youngsters.
Rice, who came through West Ham’s youth system himself, took to Twitter to congratulate the U18s for their memorable win.
He also made sure to congratulate the side in a more personal manner, as he popped inside their dressing room and participated in their revelry.
The midfielder, who can rap a mean rendition of ‘Rice Rice Baby’, tried his hand at some Lil Baby. And we have to say, he didn’t miss a single bar.
