What James Ward-Prowse secretly did while in Southampton's academy | OneFootball

James Ward-Prowse took a secret step to aid his development before breaking into the Southampton first team

Southampton completed the signing of James Ward-Prowse in the final days of the summer transfer window.

The midfielder came through the academy system at St. Mary’s before making the jump to West Ham in 2023.

The 31-year-old was a fan favourite prior to his departure to the London Stadium, which came as a result of the club suffering relegation to the Championship under Ruben Selles.

But he struggled for consistent game time with the Hammers, particularly following the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo as head coach, which ultimately played a significant role in his return to the Saints.

James Ward-Prowse’s journey to Southampton’s first team

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Ward-Prowse joined the Southampton academy system at the age of just eight, before working his way up to the first team squad.

However, the 31-year-old revealed in 2014 to the Guardian that he first trained at senior level for Havant & Waterlooville.

He claimed that he was seeking experience against men in order to toughen up and become prepared for the potential jump into the Saints’ first team in the future.

At the age of 13, he trained at non-league level in secret in a bid to boost his development.

"I was a bit afraid of a tackle and wasn't really ready for the men's game so my dad suggested that I go to train with Havant & Waterlooville in the Blue Square South and get kicked and have that sort of feeling," said Ward-Prowse.

"I was going there wanting to be kicked and beaten and shouted at.

“That definitely did develop me, more as a person than a player.

“It gave me the right kind of mindset and maturity to go and handle myself against older boys.

“I started to toughen up and after that when I was 14 I was playing for the under-16s, when I was 16 I was playing for the under-18s and when I was 18 I was playing for England Under-21s and the [Southampton] first team.

“So it made me stand up and be counted against men.

“I don't think Southampton knew about it but even if they did they shouldn't care because it's helped me get to where I am today."

James Ward-Prowse’s Southampton breakout

Ward-Prowse’s debut for Southampton came in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace in October 2011 at the age of just 16.

But his first league appearance had to wait until August 2012 following the club’s promotion to the Premier League, when he started in a 3-2 loss to Manchester City.

And only a year later, he was cemented as a key part of the first team squad, making 34 appearances in the top flight in 2013/14 under Mauricio Pochettino.

The midfielder was a regular presence as Pochettino’s side finished eighth in the table, before Ronald Koeman oversaw seventh and sixth place results in 2015 and 2016, with Southampton earning a place in the Europa League.

James Ward-Prowse was the bedrock at Southampton

During his first stint at St. Mary’s, Ward-Prowse went on to feature 343 in the Premier League for the club, including starting all 38 games in 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2022/23.

The training at Havant & Waterlooville proved worthwhile, as he became more than capable of competing physically at the highest level of English football.

While the club may not have known about it, they will be glad that he took these steps at a crucial part of his development, as he was the bedrock of the side under Hassenhuttl.

In particular, the quality of his free-kicks became a hallmark of the team in this period, scoring on 17 occasions in total in the top flight, just one behind record-holder David Beckham.

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James-Ward Prowse’s Southampton return

Ward-Prowse’s departure in 2023 was a blow to Southampton and the supporters, as he had become associated so strongly with the club by then.

The Saints at least were able to earn an impressive £30 million figure from his sale, before re-signing him three years later for just a reported £1 million fee.

The 31-year-old made 37 appearances for the Hammers in his first Premier League season with the club, but played just 21 times in the remainder of his career at the London Stadium.

He fell out of favour with Espirito Santo, which has prompted his return to St. Mary’s, where he now has the chance to continue adding to his Southampton legacy.