It’s been 18 years since boyhood West Ham fan Freddie Sears stepped onto the Upton Park pitch to live his dream. On that day in 2008, the then 18-year-old would go on to score the winner as the Hammers beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 in the Premier League. For a lifelong fan and season ticket holder, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Since that day 18 years ago, Freddie has gone on to have a whole football career throughout the divisions of English football. Still going strong at 36, the striker is still finding the net, but is also back at West Ham, coaching in the youth set up, hoping the find the next to follow in his footsteps at the Irons.
We spoke to Freddie about that day in March 2008, his goal scoring attributes in non-league and how he see’s the future for him and West Ham.
“Mad, 18 years ago, 18-years-old. Debut at West Ham in front of 34,000 people. Obviously coming on, scoring the winner, no better feeling.
“Still get stopped now, people asking me, telling me they were there that day. Probably one of the most iconic moments for an academy player. Coming through the system, scoring the winner on your Premier League debut.”
Growing up as a West Ham fan it doesn’t get any bigger than scoring for your club, something that Freddie never hid from, having spent more than enough time in the stands with his family.
“Being a West Ham fan, growing up as season ticket holder and stuff, all my family, mum, dad, all West Ham. Obviously it was a big part of my life and what it felt like playing, playing at Upton Park was amazing. Being a season ticket holder, you dream of that moment that this could actually be you and to go and play is fantastic.
“To go and score is a dream come true. I was lucky enough to score at both ends at West Ham, which was a real big thing.”
Non-league goals and a future at West Ham
At 36, the former Hammer is still going strong. On his fourth spell in non-league, Freddie has continued to score goals. After netting 21 goals for Chatham Town last season, the striker returned to Essex with Maldon & Tipree and is on 29 goals for this season.
“29 this year, one more for 25 in the year, called it. Hopefully have 30 soon.”
Playing football may still be at the forefront of his mind but Freddie has been thinking about life after playing, coaching within the youth ranks at West Ham, with a view to moving into the career full-time.
“Currently working at West Ham with the under-15s and 16s, mainly the under-15s this year. Really enjoying it. Nice that I can give back. At that age they’re only two years away from where I was at making my debut, so that’s been pretty cool to be honest.
“I trained with the under-23s last week which was really good, another good learning experience for me and for them really. Full-time is an option but obviously I’m still playing, enjoying my football with Maldon but I do see myself full-time eventually.
“Not sure when, depends on the legs, I’m 36 now but still feeling good, scoring goals but eventually the plan will be to get to West Ham full-time in the 18s and 23s.”
Looking back on THAT West Ham goal
It’s been a long time since Freddie netted the iconic goal on his debut. The now 36-year-old has been in the game a for over a decade, playing for a number of clubs up and down the football pyramid.
With him looking to nurture the next set of West Ham prodigy’s, we asked Freddie what advice he would give himself after the whirlwind moment of scoring the goal.
“I thought about this yesterday, just how quickly it goes, it goes in a flash. The coaches and people always say it goes so quick and it really does. Just need to make the most of it, you know, you don’t know when the opportunity is coming, always got to be ready.
“But yeah, a big thing for me is it goes so quick, 18 years on it sounds mental but it’s just quick.”
