Academy of Football | The Art of Scouting

Every Academy player’s route to professional football begins with when they are first scouted. From humble beginnings, playing football for fun with their local grassroots team to suddenly getting the chance to showcase their ability at a Premier League club. A moment that can change the course of a young player and their family’s lives. 

With over 30 years’ experience in the business, West Ham United Senior Academy Integration Officer Jim Hampsheir knows a thing or two about the art of scouting. A West Ham United fan himself, Hampsheir knows there’s nothing better as a Hammer than seeing one of our own make it into the first team, adding to the long list of famous West Ham United Academy graduates.

With approximately 40 per cent of schoolchildren playing football in the UK, there is as much science as there is instinct when it comes to unearthing the next generation of Premier League footballers. Having worked with his fair share of talented West Ham youngsters, many of whom he played a part in identifying, Hampsheir gives us a glimpse into the process of talent spotting for one of the most renowned Academies in English football.

Networks and building relationships

A good scout is only as good as their network. There’s only so much football a scout can watch, so it’s essential that a talent spotter has strong relationships at the clubs in the areas where they are looking to unearth talent. With over three decades of experience, it’s fair to say Hampsheir has built a few relationships along the way. 

He said: “If you’re looking at bringing in players for pre-Academy, you’re basically looking for the lads who are standing out or have high potential. As you get to the older age-groups, you get more specific profiling. In other words, a club might be looking for a player with specific attributes, this could be a left-sided defender, or someone particularly good at getting crosses in.

 “Recruiting for a Category One Academy, a good scout must have a clear understanding of the standard, so your judgement can be trusted.

 “Networks are a key component in this process. Building a network is so important. You want to have people who you can trust around the country or locally referring you players. If someone in your circle refers a player, it means something. You just need to get across and take a look.

 “You make really good relationships as a scout. I still see Ben Johnson’s parents, who are lovely people, and Paul Earthy (father of George) too! All the parents of the players I’ve helped bring in, I’ve got a good relationship with, and I can pick the phone up to them at any time.

 “Even some of the lads who have moved on, I like to talk to them and see how they’re getting on. Boys like Josh Cullen (Burnley), Lewis Page (St Albans City) and George Dobson (Wrexham). It’s very pleasing seeing players with great attitudes getting their chance in professional football, whether that be here or elsewhere in the pyramid.”