Alumni
MICHAEL HECTOR - CHELSEA FC
Michael Hector began his youth football career with Barking Abbey Football Academy in Sept 2008 at this time the Academy played there football under a link club called Thurrock FC.
In the pre-season of 2009 Barking Abbey Football Academy arranged a pre-season friendly against Reading FC. It was after this game that Reading FC showed a real interest in signing Michael. After a successful 2-week trial, Michael signed on as a full-time scholar.
Hector signed professional terms with Reading in May 2010 and joined League of Ireland side Dundalk on loan in February 2011. He made his Football League debut for Barnet in November 2011 and his successful spell with the club culminated with Hector winning the Young Player of the Season award. He signed a new contract at Reading in summer 2012 and soon after joined Shrewsbury on a six-month loan. Another temporary spell, this time with Aldershot Town followed, before moving to Cheltenham Town on loan in January 2013. He spent the first half of the 2013–14 season at Aberdeen and made his Reading debut in January 2014.
It was in the summer of 2015 that Michael Hector signed for Chelsea in a 4 million pound transfer deal.
Michael Hector chose to represent Jamaica at international level, he was selected in their squad for the 2015 Copa America tournament.
ALFIE POTTER - MANSFIELD TOWN FC
Before joining Peterborough Alfie spent a 15 months at the Barking Abbey Football Academy where he made several first-team appearances for Waltham Forest who were Abbey’s link club at the time. He signed his first professional contract with Peterborough on 1 June 2007, signing a one-year deal.
In December 2007, he was offered at new two-and-a-half-year deal by Peterborough.
On 3 June 2009, Potter signed for Oxford United on a season-long loan. He scored five goals in 20 Conference National games as Oxford finished third and went on to win the playoff final 3–1 against York City, his last-minute goal at Wembley Stadium securing Oxford's return to the Football League after a four-year exile. At the end of the season he joined Oxford permanently for an undisclosed fee.
On 20 May 2015, it was announced that Potter would be reunited with former manager Chris Wilder by joining Northampton Town on a two-year contract.
Potter then signed for Mansfield Town in January 2017. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–1 draw with Luton Town on 17 April 2017
RAKISH BINGHAM - HAMILTON ACADEMICAL FC
Rakish joined Barking Abbey in the 2010, During this time Barking Abbey has arranged pre- season fixtures against professional academies, one being Wigan Athletic, after a fantastic performance Rakish was offered a trial.
Rakish Bingham went on to sign, joined Wigan’s under-18 side in 2010, and made his debut for the reserves in April 2011. He signed his first professional contract atthe end of the 2011–12 season. He soon attracted interest from Premier League clubs, such as Manchester City, Newcastle United and Fulham.
On 27 August 2013, Bingham joined Scottish Championship side Falkirk on loan until the end of the year. He made 13 appearances, 11 in the league.
On 31 August 2014, Bingham joined Mansfield Town on a free transfer after leaving Wigan. Bingham went on to make 28 league appearances.
On 2 January 2015, Manager Adam Murray agreed a loan move for Bingham to join Hartlepool United until the end of the season. He made his Hartlepool debut the next day, making his first start and playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 against Wycombe Wanderers.
Bingham signed for Hamilton Academical in August 2016. On 9 November 2016, he signed a contract extension, keeping him at Hamilton until May 2018.
CHRIS BUSH - EBBSFLEET TOWN
Chris enjoyed 15 months at Barking Abbey Football Academy it was whilst Barking Abbey were on their FA Youth Cup run playing under the link club at the time Thurrock FC where Chris got the chance of a trial at Brentford. Chris went on to secure his first professional contract at Brentford and spent a loan spell during the 2009–10 season with Conference side Salisbury City. At the start of the 2010–11 season he spent a month on loan at Conference South team Woking. As soon as his loan spell finished at Woking, Bush was again sent out on loan, this time to Conference National side AFC Wimbledon for four months until January 2011. He also spent time on loan at Thurrock.
In June 2011, Bush signed newly promoted Dons side in League Two after rejecting a new contract at Griffin Park.
On 21 June 2012, Bush signed for Gateshead. On 8 January 2013, Bush joined Lincoln City on a one-month loan. On 28 March 2013, Bush joined Hereford United on loan for the remainder of the 2012–13 season. On 19 June 2013, Bush signed a one-year contract with Hereford United.
On 11 June 2014, Bush signed a one-year contract with Welling United.
In May 2015 he left Welling United and signed for Lincoln City.
On 26 June 2016, Bush dropped down a division to join National League South club Chelmsford City.On 6 August 2016, Bush scored on his debut for Chelmsford in a 2–2 draw against Truro City.
On 25 August 2017, Bush signed for Ebbsfleet United.
