Academy striker Sam Ford is set to join West Ham following his recent trial spells with the Hammers.

Ford’s two-year scholarship is up at the end of the season and TWTD understands that the former Felixstowe Academy pupil will not be offered new terms by the Blues.

But the 17-year-old has impressed West Ham, where former Blues' youth coach Liam Manning is now on the staff, during his time on trial and is to join the East Londoners.

Last month Ford netted while playing for the Hammers' U18s in a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa and he was on target again earlier this week for their U21s in a 1-1 draw with Wolves.

hoppy added 14:42 - Feb 25 Would we be due compensation for this?
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DebenBlue added 14:45 - Feb 25 Hoppy - I believe not, if we haven't offered him terms. Shame as I always felt he was an exciting prospect, perhaps the club believes others younger than him are better prospects. Time will tell.
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Bluebell added 15:01 - Feb 25 I wonder why we haven't offered him terms. If he is good enough for West Ham to want him, why not take a chance on him? I find it hard to understand that we spend all that money training up these youngsters and then they go somewhere else for nothing ( I assume). Good luck to the lad. Hopefully Cressie will take him under his wing.
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rinkydinkpanther added 15:03 - Feb 25 I just don't think we know a good player when we see one, lose them to another team and they then inevitably enjoy a career of scoring against us.
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Bluetone added 15:11 - Feb 25 @Bluebell It was because he failed the squinting at the descending hoofed ball test.
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KellysBlues added 15:55 - Feb 25 I Heard that Sam was told his current deal wouldn't be extended, went to west ham and Leicester for trial games, Ipswich then said we haven't made our finally decision yet, so was asked to rush back and play for our under 21's again this was after Town heard that west ham had offered him 18 month pro-deal. No compensation as was allowed to terminate current deal early. Shame, decent lad with right attitude and knows how to run with the ball at his feet and take people on.... Good luck Sam

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MattinLondon added 15:57 - Feb 25 Maybe West Ham have simply taken a punt on him? On a sideways note does anyone know if a young player has come back to haunt MM? Not at Town but elsewhere? I do think it's worryingly that there seems too many thirtysomethings getting in the way of young players - Tabb, Toure, Coke as well as Douglas who isn't one for the future. Maybe the younger players just aren't good enough or maybe MM is too set in his ways and only likes powerful young players like Mings or Nouble.

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Jimmy86 added 16:09 - Feb 25 Saw his dad in Ladbrooks before the Leeds game and he said he hadn't been offered anything at that point and wasn't particularly hopefully he would be. The academy is certainly not what it used to be, but Mick doesn't place much emphasis on it either.
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battyblue added 16:12 - Feb 25 Good enough for West Ham but not MM says it all probally showing a bit of flair.
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Mullet added 16:37 - Feb 25 The future looks bleak for Bishop, Emmanuel, Kenlock, Clarke, Yorwerth, McDonnell et al.
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raycrawfordswig added 16:41 - Feb 25 West Ham will sell him after about a year for £5 million.
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jimblue93 added 16:41 - Feb 25 If West Ham are willing to take a gamble then so should we. Their taking him hoping he might be good enough for the prem one day, whereas we don't think he can even get to championship standard. Something going wrong here.
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strikalite added 16:44 - Feb 25 I've not seen him play so reserve judgement on his ability, but worrying that Wet Spam seem to think he has something....though still difficult to say whether he'll make it let's be fair, many don't, just hope we've made the right decision...
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bringbacktheglory added 17:01 - Feb 25 I have no idea what this lad is like as a player if I'm honest but we only have to look at examples like Alabi who came in after Stoke released him and he wasn't up to the task. Teams take punts on players all the time, sometimes it works, sometime it doesn't. Good luck to the lad, I hope he does end up having a good career but no need for a meltdown against the club really.

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Seasider added 17:20 - Feb 25 Don't know about this lad so wont comment. What I do know is that in over 3 years McCarthy hasn't brought through a single young player to play regularly for our first team.Teddy Bishop may well have done if he wasn't always injured;but I recall Milne,I think it was, saying some time ago that the aim was for 50% of players to be from our youth policy,whereas nearly 50% are over 30 at present.

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EatonBlue added 17:21 - Feb 25 Another strange decision by the Club. One of many in the last few months.
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jas0999 added 17:25 - Feb 25 The current regime isn't interested in youth. Players like Douglas and Foley are more their bag. Wouldn't be surprised if there us something in this for Evans. I heard there is a small fee involved. Good enough for west ham but not us. Disgraceful. Perhaps his hoof isn't up to the standard of our current players?
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essexboy added 17:49 - Feb 25 I find it very strange that we spend two years on the lad then don't offer him a contract.But it appears he is good enough for a Premier club to take the gamble.It just shows we are not interested in youth at the club anymore.If that's the case just why do we bother with an academy,I ask.It seems now we are only interested in overage players or freebies that nobody else wants.Is this the way forward ,or two steps back.!!

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blueboy1981 added 18:25 - Feb 25 We are obviously better judges of a player than West Ham............ (JOKE) .... for some. That's why we are at best Mid Table Championship - and West Ham are in the PREMIERSHIP .......... !!!!!!!!!!!!! - not forgetting the fact that West Ham play FOOTBALL and not HOOFBALL. Good Luck Sam - you've certainly made the right decision.
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RegencyBlue added 19:39 - Feb 25 Heard a rumour about this a couple of days ago. Was told that everyone at the academy rated this lad and recommended he be offered a contract here but MM said no! Same rumour also said another player from the academy has been released and offered a three year contract by Bournemouth.
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GeoffSentence added 20:03 - Feb 25 One word. Jordan Rhodes.
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Woodbridgian added 20:12 - Feb 25 RegencyBlue doesn't surprise me MM said no as If KellysBlues is right and he "knows how to run with the ball at his feet and take people on... " He certainly wouldn't fit into a MM team !
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essex57 added 21:52 - Feb 25 Well at least the harbingers of doom can't lay Rhodes at the door of current regime.
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BlueSwede added 22:08 - Feb 25 Do we actually know that he hasn't been offered terms at the club?
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Taricco_Fan added 22:27 - Feb 25 Young players don't get much of a chance under Mick anyway.
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