Keeper Nathan Trott Making Impressive Strides
[Written by Nathan Carr]
West Ham United and Bermuda have long had a strong affinity with one another, largely thanks to the goals and all-round great centre-forward play of Clyde Best in the 1970s.
Hoping to follow in his footsteps is highly rated Bermuda-born goalkeeper Nathan Trott – recommended to the club by Best – who dreams of one day running out for the Hammers in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old has been making impressive strides as the Under-23’s number one in between the sticks.
At the start of December, he travelled with the senior squad to face Manchester City and was named as a substitute for the first time by manager David Moyes, whose side fell 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Kai Barrett, who runs the popular whufcyouth website, has followed Trott closely in the Under-23 team and believes the goalkeeper has a bright future in the game.
“I think he’s very good,” says Barrett. “His agility and athleticism are his standout qualities. His shot-stopping is up there as well as his distribution, something that has been coming along well. He’s obviously not the finished article just yet but he’s doing very well.
“He’s probably the strongest goalkeeper in the ‘senior’ half of the academy and currently third choice for the first team. Most games he puts in a strong individual performance and he’s deservedly earned recognition from the manager and internationally as well.”
That international recognition hasn’t come from his country of birth, however, but rather from England who he’s represented at Under-19 and Under-20 level. In fact, he was a part of the European Under-19 Championship winning last summer as the young Three Lions saw off Portugal in the final.
It remains to be seen whether he will stick with England or opt for his native Bermuda when he gets older. He’s certainly talented enough to be Bermuda’s number one should he ever pick the Gombey Warriors, with competition from the likes of Freddy Hall, Jahquil Hill and Detre Bell.
“The goalkeeper situation for England is interesting,” explains Barrett. “Right now the focus is on Jack Butland and Jordan Pickford. Looking through the Under-16s/21s squad, in my opinion there’s no reason why Trott couldn’t become a part of the England setup should he stay on the right track. Although, by the same token, I would be fairly surprised if Trott declined a Bermuda call-up in the future. We’ll just have to see as time goes on.”
Back on the club front, how realistic is it for Trott to find a pathway to the senior team at West Ham? He’s patiently waiting in the wings as things stand, using each day to hone his skills in anticipation of a first senior appearance.
Barrett sees this as a realistic target moving forward, but stresses that there’s still plenty of room left for development.
“The academy is very lucky as now there are three or four talented goalkeepers in the Under-15s/23s range but Trott is closest to the first team. He’s made the third choice spot his own and depending on whether Joe Hart stays next season (and even Adrian if he decides to seek a move away), he may well become second choice.
“He’s only a first year professional, though, and it’s very rare a goalkeeper establishes themselves in a matchday squad at such a youthful age. Does he have a chance to become a permanent member? Absolutely. However, that does depend on not only his own personal development but the development of others too.”
West Ham video interview with Trott when he signed with them in 2016
Some West Ham supporters have already been calling for Trott to be given an opportunity in the first team, especially with the futures of Hart and Adrian relatively uncertain. If he keeps working hard and progressing at the rate he is, then the man from Bermuda stands a great chance.
Sports journalist Nathan Carr previously ran the Home of Caribbean Football, and reports on football throughout the region, and also serves as a guest contributor to Bernews. You can read his past reports on Bermudian football here.
Nathan, I am so proud of you good job buddy.
Important to note Nathan Carr.. Clyde Best did not introduce Nathan to Westham. Clyde recommended Djair Parfitt