Young Boreham Wood Midfielder 17 year old Pelly Ruddock, has successfully completed his dream move to Championship side West Ham United, after Pelly came through a successful trial period with ‘The Hammers’.
West Ham United saw off interest from QPR, Watford and Reading for Pelly’s signature, when the player asked Boreham Wood Chairman Danny Hunter to respectfully turn down the other requests for him to trial elsewhere and to sit down if possible and conclude a deal with West Ham United.
After those successful negotiations were completed, Pelly was rewarded with a two and half year professional contract, as he impressed ‘The Hammers’ First Team Gaffer Sam Allardyce. In fact the West Ham Boss went out of his way to meet and greet Pelly, Pelly’s Parents and the Boreham Wood Chairman, at West Ham training ground, which impressed the family and ensured the deal went through smoothly.
According to ‘Wood’ Chairman Danny Hunter, West Ham United’s conduct from top to bottom was excellent. “They were impeccable to deal with” he said, and spoke glowingly about West Ham Academy Director, Tony Carr MBE. Who he described “as a sincere football man, and when you consider what he’s achieved in the game, to then spend a lot of time with me, to ensure the detail worked for all parties, in terms of Pelly’s lodgings, education, finances and other smaller details meant a great deal to me”.
When asked about Pelly, West Ham Academy Director, Tony Carr MBE said “We are pleased to have signed Pelly from Boreham Wood, we see a young player with great potential and hope with further training and coaching we can produce a player ready to play for our First Team in the not too distant future”.
Whilst on trial at the West Ham training ground, Pelly trained alongside well known professionals Matthew Taylor, Robert Green, Mark Noble, Papa Boupa Diop, John Carew and Carlton Cole. This obviously made the player feel very special and was an eye opener for the young ‘Wood’ starlet and from that moment on, he just wanted to play for West Ham.
Pelly, who has featured this season in over a dozen games for ‘Wood’s’ First Team, had also caught the eye of other League Clubs, during Boreham Wood’s Under 18’s FA Youth Cup run to the First Round Proper. This run however has also alerted a number of Clubs, to two or three other talented BWFC youth lads in the ranks at Meadow Park, so watch this space!!
When Pelly talked about his dream move to ‘The Hammers’ he said “I’m so happy to have signed for West Ham, they are a great club, with fantastic support and an outstanding history. When I was told that West Ham were interested in signing me I asked the Chairman to turn down any offers for me to trial with other Clubs, because I knew where I wanted to be.
“I’m really looking forward to training everyday and pushing myself to be the best I can. Everyone at West Ham and Boreham Wood have been fantastic, and now I can’t wait to put a ‘Hammers’ shirt on” Pelly concluded.
As Boreham Wood Football Club understand it, Pelly’s first game for West Ham United, will be against Arsenal Youth this Friday. After that he will move directly to the Development squad and will then train in and around the First Team.
Head PASE Coach Luke Garrard said “I am so pleased for Pelly, its great news for both him and the Club. It’s nothing more than he deserves after working tirelessly over his three years with us at Boreham Wood. He’s now in an environment with other young professionals, living the right lifestyle in his lodgings and learning everyday from the likes of Tony Carr. So if he works hard, he gives himself a great chance to fulfil his dream at West Ham United”.
A proud Boreham Wood Chairman Danny Hunter said “12 years ago when I set up the Clubs ‘investment in youth’ programme. Many people questioned that decision, however that has culminated in so many of our youth players progressing, and has now evolved into our present successful PASE Scheme.
“Also over those last 12 seasons our investment, has produced players like Lee Hodson, Matthew Whichelow and Kyle Connolly, who are now at Watford FC. Simon Thomas who signed for Crystal Palace. George Nicholas who went to Notts County, and Danny Hart who went to neighbours Barnet, to name just a few.
“On top of those lads, we have also progressed around 100 of our boys, who now play at the top levels of non-league football. Whilst not forgetting the 100% Scholarships, that have been awarded to our boys who now play and study in America.
“When you quantify that with England Schoolboy and College Internationals honours we’ve had, plus winning National Cups with our Under 19’s three times in recent years. All in all it has been an amazing success story and I must say it has been incredibly rewarding for me and our coaches.
“However I must also thank my hard working staff, coaches and other supportive organisations like Hertsmere Borough Council, Cardif Pinnacle, Elstree & Borehamwood Town Council, Cohenel College, Oakland’s College, Verulam School and all our wonderful sponsors for their support and backing over the years which has made this scheme possible” Hunter concluded.
Ex- West Ham and Orient player Daryl McMahon (BWFC First Team Assistant Manager/ Player) said “Pelly Ruddock is another talented boy, who could be something special. He now has the chance at a top club, with a fantastic reputation and proven track record for producing young talent to achieve his life time ambitions. As someone who spent 5 years at West Ham’s Academy, I couldn’t be happier for Pelly or his family, and in West Ham he really is in wonderful hands. It’s a great grounding for any Young Pro and if he works hard he has a real shot at it!”
It is believed that as part of the transfer deal between the Clubs, the BWFC Chairman Danny Hunter also secured a full West Ham First Team to play Boreham Wood in a Pre-Season Friendly at Meadow Park, in July or August in 2012 and 2013.
This could be a lucrative fixture for the Club, as West Ham look to be heading back to the Premiership at the first attempt and the game has been confirmed and ratified by ‘Hammers’ First Team manager Sam Allardyce. On top of that the BWFC Chairman has also secured other additional add ons, sell ons and other incentive based clauses, which should things go well for Pelly and West Ham. Would ensure that Boreham Wood Football Club are rewarded financially, for its vision and investment in its PASE Structure.
Finally I’m sure on behalf of everyone of us at Boreham Wood, we would just like to say to young Pelly how excited and proud we are of you and we all look forward to seeing and hearing of your progress over the coming years. Good luck from us all at ‘The Wood’.
