I have always been open to the possibility of a future move to the Olympic Stadium. However, the new regime at the club need to recognise that many fans have genuine concerns about the atmosphere, the running track and security of tenure at the Stadium. Moving in to a 55,000-60,000 capacity ground could radically transform West Ham’s prospects, guaranteeing the additional revenue to take the club forward. Also, as David Gold has said, the move to the City of Manchester Stadium worked for Man City, so why cannot a move to the Olympic Stadium work for the Hammers?
However, the fact remains that many supporters are not sold on a potential move across the borough. I recently took time to speak informally to a few fans, of my acquaintance, to ascertain their views. Some were uncompromising in their belief that Upton Park was the spiritual home of the club and it should remain there. Some were nervous at the prospect of selling Upton Park and becoming a tenant at the Olympic Stadium. Others doubted our ability to fill a 55-60,ooo capacity seater and had reservations about it’s implications for the match day atmosphere.
If the move materialises, the new owners will need to sell the business case to the fans. That way, fans can scrutinise their proposals and debate its merits in Hammers sites and forums. It is important that they take the fans with them by showing how the move will contribute to the creation of a stronger, more successful West Ham Utd FC.
In the meantime there is a lot of negotiation to be done before the move becomes a realistic proposition. But it is possible that hard economic realities and common sense could convince the government that an accommodation with West Ham is not only mutually beneficial, but the only viable option for the long-term use of the stadium.
The central barriers to be overcome are the Olympic authority’s inflexible interpretation of an ‘atheltics legacy’ and the collateral issue of the running track. There is also the issue of the financial contribution that club will have to make to the post-2012 adaption of the stadium. Apparently there is an government budget allocated to fund this work. But how much will the club be required contribute to expensive adaptations such as the possible installation of retractable seating over the running track?
The fans need to be convinced that this move could open up an exciting new chapter in Hammers history. At the moment many of them just see it in terms of a loss of the club’s heritage. Yet, Stratford is actually in the old County Borough of West Ham, unlike Upton Park which is officially in East Ham. So, it could actually be argued that the club would be moving back to its roots. Yes, the club has been located there a very long time, but is it really the Upton Park of old? Atmosphere wise, the current stadium is certainly not the ground that I remember from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Nothing like it. The Taylor Report put paid to that! Upton Park is pivotal to the club’s history, but perhaps we may have to accept that it will eventually pass in to historical record to facilitate a new chapter opening up in Stratford, post-2012.
One fan said that he felt that a move would be a ‘betrayal of the legacy of Bobby Moore.’ I can understand that feeling, but we should remember that Bobby’s relationship with the club after 1965 was not always unproblematic. From what I have read it would appear that after the ECWC win he grew increasingly frustrated at the club’s lack of ambition and failure to mount a serious championship challenge. Maybe, just maybe, Bobby would have seen this move as evidence of some belated ambition by the club?
We obviously need to know what would happen to the proceeds from the sale/development of Upton Park. I think that most fans would expect to see those monies reinvested in the infrastructure of the club. Also, the club have to secure a lease at the Olympic Stadium that guarantees long-term security of tenure. Realistically, I do not think that this is a problem. Afterall, there are not likely to be many other options in terms of tenants!
Anyway, that is a potential issue for the future. More immediately, it will interesting to see if all the discourse about the club’s alleged levels of debt is a prelude to a hike in the price of season ticket/match tickets next season? If I recall correctly, season ticket holders were told that renewal for 2009-10 would guarantee a freeze and slight reduction over the following two PL seasons. Assuming that we will retain our PL status (which I think will be the case) will those commitments now be honoured? Or will they be dropped and a price hike justified by the state of the club’s finances, the need to invest in the squad in the summer transfer window, etc? Time will tell?
SJ. Chandos.
The real worry I have with proposed move, is doing so whilst still indebted and 50% owned by Icelandic bankers. I obviously don't know the real ins and outs of our ownership structure, but have no doubt that our moving to the new stadium was G&S's hook that appealed to Straumur in the takeover.
In theory, 50% of any money generated by West Ham (i.e sale of The Boleyn) could be swallowed up paying off debt, and we'd still be owned by Icelandic bankers. They could then happily make tidy money from the club whilst we lease a new stadium that we don't own. I may not have understood the implications of the Icelandic involvement, or maybe other people haven't. I genuinely don't know. But the sale of 50% of the club to G&S has always confused me, when Fernandes Intermarket and even Cellini were looking for 100%. We all believed that Straumur wanted to sell the whole club, just maybe the sell of of the ground swayed them to re-think?
If anyone cant workout the reason why Sullivan bought The Hammers it is so simple even sitting in my office here in Sunny Brisbane I am salivating over the thought of how easy that piece of Real Estate would be to sell because presumably Upton Park is worth plenty so selling the land recoups the cost of purchasing us renting the Olympic stadium generates revenue twice as many paying or season ticket holders but at anytime we dont have a real estate asset we become tenants.
Oppose this shift at all costs,Sullivan is the cunning businessman but to sell Upton Park is tantamount to treason,watch the Dildo brothers ,look over your shoulder Zola they wont give you long,where did the other5.5 mill go for transfers are you watching intently Hammers fans they could sell us up the river,TRUE FANS….mmmm let us see,now you see it now you dont!
I think that most fans – of any club – initial reaction to moving to a new ground is negative for all the reasons mentioned by SJ and his acquaintances. This is a natural emotion created by any sort of suggested forced change to our lives.
It would be interesting to see what fans of other clubs who have moved think a few years on. Some of the new grounds around the country do lack atmosphere but some of that could be down to the general sanitisation of football over the past few years. Some existing grounds (Chelsea?) are hardly a hotbed of emotion anyway.
Over time, the fans create an ongoing atmosphere and, in some cases, this is positive. Stoke hardly lacks atmosphere and both Sunderland and Man City stadia have positive vibes. On the other hand, the Reebok is soul destroying but maybe that's just down to the Bolton fans and the football the team plays. I'm sure most Arsenal fans are happy with the Emirates but, there again, there wasn't too much atmosphere to lose when they left Highbury.
I'm quite happy to stay at the Boleyn but recognise the advantages of moving to the Olympic Stadium if the circumstances are right. David Gold has already stated that a running track would be a non-starter and that appears to be one of the major obstacles.
If our owners can get everything right about converting the Olympic Stadium I think that I am now all for it.
I fully agree with Aussie Graham, I can see us being sold out and they walk away with all the dosh. As always happens at Upton Park. Even my late granddad who used to stand on a wooden chicken run before the war always used to ask ‘where’s the money gone?’.
Just to make you all jealous, I am also looking out of my window onto a gorgeous sunny Brisbane!! In fact, I have a lovely view of the Suncorp Stadium which would look great on the other site at West Ham which was mentioned months ago.
As somebody who stopped going regularly in the 90's, I don't feel I am qualified to say too much.
Would I return to being a regular at West Ham? Yes. If some standing was permitted and if the cost of attending came down – I refuse to finance footballers lifestyles, when they could still earn a hafty wage and keep pricing sensible.
To SJ's initial question, add me to the list of people that doubts we could fill 50000 every week. Of course, much depends on the progress of the football team in the next few years. If the local team is successful then perhaps we'll see less of the depressing sight of our local kids wearing Chelsea, Manu and Arsenal shirts.
My 6 year old girl loves playing football every Saturday morning. There are about 100 kids of all ages (from 5 -11) and I would say only about 25% where the claret & blue.
So statistically you are saying we are close to being the best supported team in the premiership. 25% of 100 kids in claret, isnt that rather good considering the number of teams available.
Using those figues I would suggest we could fill the Ungrado May Day Stadium in North Korea, which has a capacity of 150,000.
Please note the sarcasm!
No. Where I live, Steve, is a hotbed for West ham fans. When I was a kid nearly everyone wore West Ham shirts.
I expect to see an increase in Man City shirts in the next few years.
But if they slash the price of tickets as they are promising to do, maybe that would make the difference, fill the stadium and get back to the good old days of everyone supporting their local team because they can actually go see them regularly?
I'm in the same boat as DevoDevo. I stopped going for a number of reasons (location, cost, idiot fans in the stadium, etc) so I feel slightly guilty about posting but will do so…
… ClaretBobby, slashing prices would make a difference, but there was a very unsatisfactory outcome when they did this for the Millwall cup match. Or was that just bad luck that it happened to be against Millwall?
I'm in the same boat as DevoDevo. I stopped going for a number of reasons (location, cost, idiot fans in the stadium, etc) so I feel slightly guilty about posting but will do so…
… ClaretBobby, slashing prices would make a difference, but there was a very unsatisfactory outcome when they did this for the Millwall cup match. Or was that just bad luck that it happened to be against Millwall?
Devo, my boy grows up in the Military community where kids only know the top four clubs and have no affiliation to any of them … just like my brother … grew up in Queens Park but supports Liverpool cos they were the big team of the day …. ohhh how I loved Cloughie … here in his new school he is know and respected for having been to nearly all the premiership grounds and know all our songs … well the clean versions anyway … cheaper ticket prices and better transport link are a winnner for me just like up at Newcastle,
How do you explain to a ten year old what a c**t is and why is Heridesson one ….
An excellent point, Tom. The language at grounds now (and I can swear with the best) is deplorable, especially with so many kids around.
This is why I propose that we have a return to some standing areas. Those that like to have a sing song and chuck abuse can use these areas – it's not as noticeable. Then have family seating areas. Any swearing and you are escorted out of the ground. My little girl wants to go to a match – how can I take her in the present climate? I always end up near the idiots!!!
I agree with everyone on here with regards the transport links to UP (sorry, lawro), which are atrocious. The area is also difficult to police with so many rat runs.
I think Sullivan touched on building a new althletics stadium (perhaps on the Boleyn site?) which could incorporate a lot of extra leisure facilities in an area devoid of them, which would negate the need to have a running track at the "redesigned" Olympic stadium.
No worries DevoDevo as we do travel to UP! Anyhow, isn't the Trevor Brooking Stand Upper meant to be a family environment where you should get less bad language etc.? Or is that not the case? When my son was younger we had season tickets there, and was generally OK, but that was a few years ago! Agree with everything else you say, but just can't see the authorities going back to standing, even more so after the fracas with Millwall.
Tom – re the fracas with Millwall – please read the link I have posted further on down the thread. The trouble has been around since the club started. 1906 is worth a read!
I took my boy to his first game at UP last Saturday and sat in a, so called, family enclosure in the Trevor Brooking stand Lawro.
Now I don't think anyone should take kids to games and expect there to be no bad language – it's a fact of life. I explained to the lad that he might hear some bad language and it wasn't ok to say those words – but it got more than a little bit aggressive at times – & it was only Blackburn for goodness sake.
It was still difficult when he asked me what some of those words meant though. I told him that "THE REFEREE's A &%$@*?!" really meant "The Referee's a Dufus."
I wonder if the club try to use families to calm the areas nearest the away fans, which are usually where all the abuse get's hurled, by mixing them in together. A bit unfair on the Families I reckon.
Sadly there was more bad language in the "Family Area" than any other that I've been to lately – and that includes all other three sides of the ground.
Devo mate, I’m sorry but I have to disagree with the main point of this post. When I was a kid and watched west ham games with my family and my dad used to always tell me “this is football language”. For me swearing is all part of being a supporter. To let your opions out even if they are a agressive at times. I love this blog but even I find it to be a little too formal sometimes. Let’s be honest, west ham at heart is a cockney club. I’m not having a go but just putting my opinion across.
Good points, Devo. The Upton Park of the 21st Century is but a shadow of its late 20th Century predecessor. I am also loathe to fund mediocre footballers on millionaire wages, and would love to see a return to standing areas at cheaper prices.
I don't feel that West Ham would be able to fill a 50,000-60,000 stadium week in and week out. I think 45,000 maximum would be ideal. Plus, I am hesitant that Upton Park could be seen as a cash cow to milk, and where would that leave West Ham United if it did not have a permanent home. There could be shades of Brighton Hove Albion all over again. That would be a travesty.
If it's any consolation, Devo, out of 100 kids who sport footballing paraphernalia in my neck of the woods then 70 per cent is Roma, 20 per cent Lazio, 8 per cent Juventus, and 2 per cent the famous Claret and Blue!!
Top man, RH!!
I know I've banged this drum before but, if you haven't already had a look Devo, bob over to this forum http://www.susd.vitalfootball.co.uk/ and add your voice to those of us who want safe standing areas at Premier League grounds.
My heart says the completion of the proposed expansion of Upton Park would increase our capacity and enable us to remain at our "spiritual home". My head says that realistically the capacity would increase to a maximum of 42000. If we are ambitious enough to want CL football then we will need a bigger stadium. Although we would not fill a 55000 seater stadium at present surely the idea is to grow the club in all aspects including our fanbase. As for Upton Park being our spiritual home for me it most definately is. I have been attending matches there since 1967 but i have met supporters who remember moving there and how they felt at the time the move was wrong. I have yet to speak to any genuine West Ham fan who however opposed to a move would stop attending if we did go. If we go to Stratford I for one will be singing my heart out to try and establish an atmosphere and for a new generation make the Olympic stadium (renamed I hope) our new spiriual home. COYI
The way i see is that we have to move to the Olympic stadium to progress the club in the future. If we stay at upton park we will never generate enough revenue to move up the table from a safe mid table position. Also Upton Park can we even develop that stadium? Can we even get planning permission? I dont think we can. Well thats what i get from football manager
But then again if that running track is in the way of the olympic stadium the atmosphere will die out. It will be like watching italian football with the 8 lane running tracks on half the grounds.
Im hoping common sense pervails and that either we pay for the redevelopment costs of the olympic stadium to bring the stands permanmently or we either put in moving stands or temporary settting over the running truck to keep the famous atmopshere alive.
NO!!!!!!!!!!
No running track!!!
I manage to get to about half the home games per season with my old man. If there was a running track, I don't care how cheap they make tickets, I would go just once or twice. I'd rather pay more for illegal satellite channels and watch it at home, with a good view.
I guess it depends where you grow up. Like many, I support our wonderful team because my Dad always has since he was a nipper in the 50s. I was one of two West Ham fans in my school growing up. But then I didn't grow up in East London!
Couple of points. Firstly, and I know this sounds pedantic, we don't play at Upton Park, it's the Boleyn Ground, so I immediately begin to doubt talk of a "spiritual home" when anyone speaks of Upton Park as our stadium. Sullivan was playing down, in his interview on HardTalk the inherent value of the Boleyn as a development opportunity, and whilst I'm not an expert in property, it would seem to be a reasonable assumption given where it's located. I don't see many WH fans wanting to relocate there anyway!
We've already lost the atmosphere at The Boleyn, I don't know why or exactly when, but enforced seating must have something to do with it, as someone alluded to, however, I can't see this changing in the future. So, I don't see any disadvantages in moving, only positives and it's a good point SJ makes about returning to West Ham. I know many people disagree with me, and I completely understand and respect their views, but I'd much rather be entering a stadium like the Emirates, with all the facilities and ease of access, and be proud of our home, than our rather pathetic looking turrets and outdated facilities.
Interesting read, as always, SJ… like Devo, I'm not a regular attendee, so probably am not the best person to ask… then again, I'm slightly removed from the emotional apsect of it all, so maybe I am…
For me, it comes down to figures… and I've yet to see someone do a proper business case that would outline real revenues, real costs, real hypothesis'… maybe this is something you could attempt SJ, or maybe one of our finance-savy friends on here…
Lets do the math, as they say. How much would it cost to move? How much could we get from selling UP? How much would the rent be? How much would ticket prices drop? How many more fans could we accomodate? How many more would turn up if we could accomodate them? How many more, like Devo, could come back if season ticket prices were reduced by 50%? Would that even matter? Is most of our reveneue coming from TV and Sponsorship (and selling players) anyway.
So, I think until someone "does the math" in some strategic sense, then I'll have to remain on the fence like a lot of people…
Cahillcc, i think someone has done the figures, and thats why G&S won (is that the right word) and are now the contolling party of our club!
I can't imagine we would get alot for UP, well be selling after 2012 and the market for housing/flats in the surrounding area's will be saturated. Its getting to that point already! However UP is our only tangible security to the Banks. What would happen if the arse fell out of football, the sky deals would soon dry up, UP is a brown site that could be sold if it got that bad!
I also believe that the current stadium doesn't contribute that much in the way of revenue. TV and player sales i think have been the biggest earner's in recent time, and a move away is the only other way of bringing in new sustainable revenue streams.
I think the writing is on the wall! Like i said when G&S came in, nothing we can do about it, we just got to get behind the team and do our bit from the stands, wherever they may be located in the future!!!
Please,Please get on to Skysports, fantastic interview with Dean Ashton,Heartbreaking just what he could have accomplished,26 years old.
I think I would only really be happy moving there if it was 'ours'; if it had our crest permanently on the walls, if it had a claret and blue colour scheme, if it did, however crap, have the castle turrets – but hopefully not as tacky!
I would HATE it if there was an athletics event there or something and all the West Ham branding was removed. If it is our home, I want it to be our home. No half-way agreements! Like the City stadium, it's got their name on it, it looks kinda cool… it would have to be like that. OURS.
Also, I want a nod to our history instilled in the stadium. Like those big posters of Moore and Brooking in the West Stand right now. And, if we must change name. Let the club come up with some options and let the fans vote… I'd hate it to be named after a sponsor or investor.
The Moore Stadium
The Academy of Football.
ECH, the naming I think is a big selling point to us fans … 'The Bobby Moore Stadium', the 'John Lyall walk' the ''Greenwood gates' are all heritage that need to come with us … I honestly think Gollivan have secret backing in parliament and know that in time and the current climate, there is no alternative than to turn it into a stadium that generates revenue … Gollivan stated it would be long term and be our home … with no athletics
Getting ahead of ourselves a bit! But great call, "The Moore Stadium" – gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
mmmm … is it more likely to be the Anne Summers Stadium (?) =/
Its the debate I like . . I must admit as not a Sullivan and Gold fan before the takeover I like the fact that they have put out the Olympic idea out there to gauge the impact amongst the fans. At least we cant say we are getting to voice our opinion on an idea the club is having (not saying our opinions are going to change anything but good to feel like we might be heard). Since the takeover (50% whatever) there has been a freshness in West Ham fans thinking and if you support the move or against the move it is good to hear that forward planning is in place. . . as a man born in Ireland and living in London for the past 3 years I don't feel it would be right of me to comment either way, on this debate I will let others who went every week for their lives to make their decisions . . . for me its just great to be having a possitive debate on West Ham!!
For me it is a no brainer and from most of the fans I know they agree. This season we are struggling to sell the tickets but go back a couple of years and barely any games reached genereal sale. At £45 + per match even against lowly teams such as Wolves it is no wonder. If Gold & Sullivan are true to their word that the move will allow them to reduce prices then great! Lets get some of the real fans coming back more often.
What sells it for me and something I have not heard Gold and Sullivan touch on is the transport system round the new stadium. There is a mainline station, DLR, Jubilee line etc etc. If I go to game by tube I am waiting an hour to get in the station. If I drive it takes an hour to get to any main road unless I want to leave the game 10 minutes early.
Upton Park, although I have very fond childhood memories is a dump. Time to move on.
I am all for the move, I believe Gollivan have already stated that the running track was a non entity and that maybe they develop crystal Palace … as for the legacy, the country is broke and will not fund what Lord Coe wants and why should we anyway … I agree with Devo, we have been priced out of Upton Park, not only that but the transport links are poor to say the best … we are intent on listening to speculation then we need to listen in depth to what Gollivan are saying …. they know full well we would not fill the stadium overnight, but in time with steady progress and lower ticket prices how many of us will be there with our kids reminicing on days out when we were kids running the gauntlet of the away days … the chicken run and the atmosphere in the ground before it was redeveloped ….
I'd love to see Upton Park redeveloped … but where will the money come from … how much will it add to the capacity and is it good business sense to do so …
We belong on the big stage of football, with our heritage and our fans deserve nothing less … an Olympic stadium with 50 000 WHU fans and no running track is the dream … or do we let others pass us by and rot where we are spending years to pay off the debts the old regime laiden us with
I agree with many of the comments already on here but am wondering if others who say don't move, stay where you are etc etc are being pulled by their historical focussed hearts not their brains.
To progress we must move as many have said. We can all pine for when football was football and the old terraces created better match days etc etc, but fact the game has moved on and those that look back will die a painful death!!
We can not compete with the top 10 sides in the prem if we stay at Upton Park. I have been a season ticket holder for 15 years and been going to UP for over 25 years. Whilst I love match days and going to UP, the infrastructure around the OS will be fabulous, it will be a more pleasant journey in, the facilities will be better (you might actually be able to get a beer at half time) and we will get bigger gates than we are getting at UP. Whether this is 50,000, 60,000 or just 37,500 at the start does not matter to me IF the maths works.
Re atmosphere, lets not fool ourselves the atmosphere in many parts of UP has gone unless it is a really big game. I am a Bobby Moore lower fan and that is one of the best areas for atmosphere. Even there it is hit and miss. I was in the Dr Martins twice in Dec and Jan and whilst I had great views the atmosphere is dire!! The best atmosphere at UP over the past 15 years has been when we were in the championship with a 3/4 fill ground. If we can cut some of the ticket prices we will get some proper fans back and they will help make the atmosphere what it was.
That said No track and it must be branded a west ham ground if we can get it.
This will end up 50-50, many supporters will protest that we lose our history by moving, well, we don't. Obviously there are negatives but the positives must be that the fans will find travel to the ground so much easier with the development of the railway at Stratford. The running track issue can be easily sorted by the retractable seats. The atmosphere at the Boleyn ground only exists as the teams walk out and not again until about 70 minutes into the game. It becomes so difficult to get to the ground with the Underground, especially on a Sunday. Another big plus, we get rid of those two big sandcastles in front of the main stand. I've thought long and hard about this and have kept this to only a couple of points, but I've been going to West Ham for 45 years now and think to go forward we need to change.
I'm not sure you're right about 50-50 sirgeoff. I would have expected the feelings on this site to be, on balance, more against then for, but I detect an acceptance that we have to move on. Obviously we're not as reactionary, as a group, as people would like to think.
I am starting to get all for the Olympic stadium move, i love Upton Park as the atmosphere you get when you are there is electric but i wouldn't class UP a wow ground to look at, the ground is ageing and although the support we give has the wow factor our stadium doesn't in all honesty. A move to a bigger more modern stadium will be brilliant for us, remember Sullivan has said that if thet can't remove the athletics track we won't move their so that problem is sirted. I only see it as a good move and also a bosst for us to challenge the top 4, a stadium isn't everything but it will be another part of transfers that may erge a player to come and want to play us. I think it will be a brilliant move, the last game at UP will be very sad but it will be a great move for us in the future. Anyway we won't move to the Olympic stadium for a few years so will cheer our mighty hammers on from our beloved Boleyn ground.
We must ensure a 50-100 year lease and proceeds from the sale of Boleyn ring fenced in some way.
Personally I would prefer developement of a new stand at Chicken Run side which could bring us to about 45K?
Forget the old days standing has gone along with many other things we associate with our childhoods.
Having been a doubter about Double D they do seem to have done a sound job so far, Sullivan in particular seems very straight talking with a good business head it would appear.
Although loosing Upson and Green seems inevitable, I can relate strongle to their desire to get a bit of reality back into players wages and contracts.
Bagpuss does seem to have left financial chaos behind him at every club he's been at……………………………heres hoping!!!
I think most of us would like the chicken run stand to be extended but this has been asked about before and was turned down, ssomething to do with the flats.
Thanks I didnt know that, but didn't we leave all that space in front of the East stand for redevelopement? I was sure it was part of someones plans in the past!
Yeah, The icelandics at first made out a plan to redevelop the east stand (chicken run) but the plans got rejected because of the falt, apparently we appealed against it but we didn't win the appeal which was why the Icelandics then mentioned the Olympic Stadium and now G&S want to actually make it happen, hope that clears things up a bit more for you.
Thanks again Braderz, very impressed with your knowledge, as my old man use to say "facts impress, guesses depress" !!
Any time JackeenHammer, to be honest i don't have much knowledge i just remember reading a few articles on it a couple years back, but like i say the club must move forwards and the Olympic Stadium will be one of the big steps to do that, by that time we will be debt free and able to spend a bit more money in the transfer windows to bulid a big strong squad in a push for top 6 finishes year in year out, but as we stand we must battle on and get away from the bottom end of the table, rapay all debts over the next few years and go from there, first things first would be a nice win against Burnley.
Oh man it's going to be hard to get tickets for the last game at Upton Park. I'll get a season ticket that year for sure!
If we move, I feel bad for the Boleyn Pub. I love it in there on match days. Will they survive without us?
We have mix tape fridays at work and its my go next week. I'm popping Bubbles on there. Just found two versions on itunes, Vera Lynn and Doris Day, both are quite nice, but I think I'll stick with our version!!!
I know the fella who just bought the Boleyn. Looks like a bad investment baring in mind the ground will be closed in a couple of years.
I have been going to the Boleyn Ground for many years and over that time I have seen the atmosphere drop, but also seen it electric – and recently too! Thinking about it on an emotional level it will be hard to move grounds, but in terms of where the West Ham home really is – its in all of us fans, those who go – regulars or not, and those who follow from afar. We make West Ham what it is by how we follow the team and share this passion with our friends and family. Pratically, we need to decide – do we want to be ambitious? do we want to challenge for trophies and have the best team? Do we want to have a club to be proud of? If yes, then moving is more logical – the nuts and bolts of the move will need to be negotiated, but the D's are buisness people and solide West Ham fans so i have to trust their judgement. Also, recently with the problems on the tube, going to Stratford will make tarvelling to and from a lot easier for many fans – just think, not more long cues outside the station, no walking to Plaistow in the rain to save waiting outside Upton Park station. Just my thoughts.
Well said m8, everything will be taken into consideration and the Olympic Stadium seems to be a very smart and sensible move which can onlyy push our club foward, like you say travelling will be much easier, tickets will be much cheaper, will have a bigger ground with better facilities, a better chance of getting a beer and a burger at half time and mainly the chance of making west ham a top 6 team. It sounds brilliant to me and although letting go of Upton Park will be difficult, this does seem to be the way forward for our club. G&S have said that they wouldn't do the move unless they could get rid of the running track and put seats towards the pitch, so if we win the Olympic stadium, then all of this i asume will take place and no-one will need to worry. Old saying goes, 'we must move with the times', well i think we do need to anyway lol.
SJ thanks for raising this post I have been awaiting such a debate. I posted on hear a long time ago about Liverpool's new stadium proposal and the fact that they were trying to re-create the kop to help with the atmosphere. I had a sneaky look on our good friends the spuds website to check out their stadium plans, then put my fingers down my throat to try and make myself feel better! Although this was a painful experience its one that we could well learn from. They are trying to use effective materials and angle the stands to feel as though you are as close as possible to the players and pitch. They have also tried to create a seamless bank of fans that are closer together with no interruptions of executive/corporate areas and open ended corners.
The olympic site would allow the club to take these points into consideration. One other issue is how do you get like minded supporters to sit together and how do you get the atmosphere to spread throughout the stadium.
If you haven't already read this – it's a very interesting synopsis of the club's origins and changes of stadia…
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/WestHamHisto…
Many thanks for the link Devo. A fascinating and comprehensive article that I have only skimmed so far until I get a quiet moment or three!
Devo really excellent History thank you
You're welcome, sir. Fascinating isn't it?
Admission in 1900 – 10s 6d, the equivalent to just under £30 today! Even back then, there were arguments over wage caps and financing the club.
Nothing really changes does it?
Well this one might get someone going but firstly I loved Highbury. It was a traditional football ground properly designed which worked well. It reeked of history and I am delighted to have seen us win there several times including that wonderful 3-2 as the last away side to do it.
The Emirates is however a superb modern stadium with tremdous facilities and an improvement over any club ground I have ever seen. If only they had sorted out the transport links. Getting away fropm there is awful.
I
The Olympic Stadium site will have much better parking and underground links than the Boleyn.
It will be a modern stadium which will make the expereince of going to football better for all. I am not sure that that will bother some supporters whose behaviour now leaves much to be desired but if the game we love is to prosper in the 21st Century it cannot stand still.
It has to be a good idea (even if there are aspects to be worked on) and i am all in favour.
.
Highbury is a good case in point, the majority of their fans which were against the move are now pleased they done it.
First of all i'd like to start by saying hello to everyone…i was a regular visitor and some time poster on here until the redevelopement of the site..it's good to be back!
I'd also like to say congrats to chandos for assuming the role he's taken on here and i'm looking forward to the endless debates once again.
There's a few points i'd like to make not directly related to this post, but as i've been away some months now, and a lot has happened at our beloved club….
1. The takeover has made me a happy hammer once again. I was certain Fernadez was front runner, but gollivan have what it takes, been in our situation before to some extent, and certainly have won me over.
2. The signings we've made are encouraging…. yes even mido (never his biggest fan, but he looks trim and up for it) Mcarthy should provide the goals we know he's capable of getting, and Ilan looks like he has some quality about him although unknown to many of us, a collegue of mine is a big Etienne fan and says the lad can finish and play, and from the youtube vids he looks the part, let's see what he can do for us.
Now the stadium plans that have been talked about since before gollivan took over, are obviously ones that need careful consideration… i understand the need to move us to the "next stage" i.e income made from larger attendances, corporate monies being poured in, further sponsorship would allow us to buy more players, pay better wages, but ultimately pay off the horendous debt left behind from the icelandics.
Gollivan as we know are businessmen, and in their own right have said if it wasn't west ham, they would not have bothered, so at the end of the day what are they benefitting from taking us over in the short term? They certainly won't be taking money from us as we have none, by moving stadium the club would obviously begin to make a profit long term and only then will they see some personal gain in their wealth.
I truly believe they have west ham's best interests at heart… they want the club to be our club again, they aren't daft, moving stadium isn't going to take our club away from us but allow the many thousands that would love to see us play, who currently simply can't afford to attend right now… man utd's average ticket is cheaper than ours, which shows the bigger the attendance the obvious benefits that follow, like cheaper tickets etc.
Both the Arse and Man City are seeing the benefits of moving grounds almost with immediate results… everton/liverpoool's proposed ground share or own stadium plans are showing that every club wants to be the biggest and best in the league…why should'nt we?
Now after all that, i love our ground, i love it's traditions, the attmosphere has somewhat changed but (that happened long ago when all seating came ) i see a bright future ahead for our club. I've been a hammer for 30 years now, 30 years of forgotten promises, broken dreams, the almost and what ifs… now we have a real chance of those things happening, we should embrace it and hope the government and olympic committee can help us realise them.
cheers
Welcome back Doc! Agree with both points A & B . . and expecially the last paragraph – - – only worry is we must start picking up points to stay up!!! This is a must!! COYI!!!!
Well said Doc, particularly in your summary. I have been going on and off for 40 years to The BG but it would have been more if getting there was easier and getting a ticket at a reasonable price was possible for all matches.
I would add that we have an opportunity to cash in on the fact that it will remain a "showcase destination" for a few years. That will be the chance to attract new fans and players who will want to experience a great facility and hopefully to be associated with it and just as importantly, WHU.
I have spoken about this before and think there are serious risks attached to such a move, I also think the owners plans are vague and their promise of cheaper seats is designed to mollify the fans. Cheaper by what standards? Are we talking £5 a game, technically they are cheaper but not by much. They would also simply make a certain amount of seats cheaper, like those up in the nose bleeds. Again like with everything we hear from the owners they are big on rethoric and short on detail.
My issues with the new stadium move are that I simply dont see how it stacks up financially. It was looked at previously and dismissed because spending what at the time was outlined at £100M to develop a ground we would never own made little sense. Selling Upton Park would bring in around £30M so who makes up the shortfall in the cost of developing the new ground? Its unlikely that we would have the type of surplus or money in the bank to cover this without borrowing.
If this is the case then how do you justify adding to the clubs debts to develop someone elses asset?
There is also the question of exactly how much we will actually benefit from this move? The fact is that if our crowd remains at the same level as it is now we will actually lose money compared to what we are making now as what ever the gate receipts a percentage will have to be paid to the stadiums owners. On top of this who is it that benefits from concessions sales and food and drink revenue or other revenue streams such as naming rights, image rights and other endorsement deals.
Will we have sole use of the ground or will other events be held there? Like boxing matches or concerts etc. Will we recieve the income from this? Who will be responsible for the cost of maintaining or upgrading the stadium in future. The fact is that most big stadiums under go fairly big overhauls ever 10 to 15years so who foots that bill? In a 100year lease are we expected to cover this cost 5 or 6 times?
When a fee of £40M is required to redevelop our existing ground to bring it to 45,000, a figure which includes improving transport links to handle the increase, and which can be financed without any major long term borrowing leaving us with a stadium that is more than capable of handling our needs for the foreseeable future and which most importantly we own and remains an asset to the club.
There is no financial case for giving up and asset when the money generated will not benefit the club and infact the club will have to borrow more money on top of this windfall to develop and asset they will then end up renting with no share of the ownership.
Well celtichammer at least on this ocassion you will be in complete agreement with G&S, because if there is no financial case then you can be pretty sure they won't be doing it. That's assuming your financial forecasts are correct, of course, but at the moment any figures are hypothetical because there have been no discussions about what the rent would be and how much WH would have to contribute. If you are correct then, as I say, it won't happen.
Celtic, you have not been right about too much regarding the financial aspects surroung the club to date so how are coming up with the figures you are quoting now. infact, your long boring posts are normally based on misinformation
Ok lads im in kenya reading your comments and hope we move as we will easily fill 60thou at home if prices are reduced substancially and think if prices come down other attractions like moving boleyn pub and our cafes to stratford not a million miles away boys better stadia transport to and fro and tell me how many people around upton park actually go to the game now most support away from there now so lets move on in 2012 and my mum used to sell peanuts outside before passing me down the front we all moved on since then so once again lets make this great club really the top 4 and great site this ian shame about your politics tho ciao from kenya geezer so hot here
Also can i add an interview with Ashton just appeared on skysports
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11685_5918…
thanks Deano and especially for the goal against man city in the cup a few years back… possibly imo the best he ever scored for us
It seems to me that it is not such a 50/50 split and more seem in favour of the move. For those that are against though, there didn't seem to be that many worried when the Iclandics were looking at a new stadium being built? What is different other than the ownership of the ground?
celtic i understand the points you make are very valid, but we have to move on… we all would love to see upton transformed but where will that take us?
I see all the negative points you make, but what are the positive points on why you think we should stay? To be honest there are positive and negative to the propose plans on both sides… but will upgrading where we play now allow to raise enough to sign new players, pay off the debt we allready have?
Moving will only add to our debts not reduce them, the cost of the development of the olympic stadium is far greater than any money we can raise from the sale of the current ground.
If the spuds can raise enough money to sign the players they have from a 45,000 seater stadium then so can we. Any talk of Champions League football under Gollivan is complete hogwash, do you really see them paying out the kind of money it takes to compete with the ManUs, Citeh's and Chelski's of the league? Even matching the spuds spending would be unthinkable with Gold and Sullivan in charge!
I think you will find that Totts cannot finance the level of spending without the generous support of Joe Lewis. The same, only more so, is obviously the case iro Chelsea and Man City with their benefactors.
Actually prior to 'Arry taking over the spuds posted an operating profit for the previous number of seasons. Of course 'Arry will get through your cash quicker than setting it on fire so hopefully he can continue his form from Pompey and Southampton!
Would they really need to match the spending or would the kids coming through be equivalent to expensive signings? We all dream of a team that includes lampard, cole, carrick, ferdinand (anton obviously) so maybe we can do it just by being self financing?
Exactly my point celtichammer, thank you. Their current level of spending is not sustainable through gate receipts. Dear old 'arry will hopefully bankrupt them like he almost did to us, then the others. And, no I don't think they'll match City and Chelsea, but since when did WH finish in top 4? Oh yeah, 1986!
Celtic, as much as i enjoy reading your posts
However, what i dont understand is how you make statements, without any inside information regarding the proposed takeover of the Olympic Stadium. It does seem to me that rather too many assumptions are made about the ongoing discussions and developments regarding the future. Lets face it, assumptions are the mother of all **** ups!
I guess we need to just hope we are in good hands and let these guys who own the company worry about the financial stability. Given what they choosen to release to the media as far, optimistic I am.
Steve when the Egg and BG took over the reviewed the option of moving to the olympic stadium as well as developing a new 50,000 seater stadium on the old parcleforce site. They felt both were not viable from a financial standpoint and because of the complications regarding its ongoing use.
They released a number of statements on the matter complete with the financials relating to both scenarios. The also publish a development plan to redevelop Upton Park which they felt was a more prudent step, pointing out that there would be no need to borrow heavily to do so that if could be sustained by the club from existing cash positions. Part of this redevelopment plan was to build a world class training centre with the money that would be saved by choosing to redevelop the existing ground instead of moving.
cos they were experts in finance,please!!
Oh dear. Wake up to the fact BG and Eggy was financial plebs.
read this
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/mihirbose…
it outlines some of the things I have been saying
With respect, isn't this report largely dated by what happened to the economy after it was published?
I am not saying that the proposed move to the OS will be easy but there will be leverage G&S can utilise to get public funding to convert it to a use that will keep it viable. Otherwise there is good chance stadium will become another white elephant, despite Lord Coe's "promise" to keep it as an athletic venue.
The other consideration not fully covered by Mihir Bose is that any plan to build or extend around the BG will be severely hampered by the lack of access by public transport or car. Everyone agrees it is far from ideal now, but adding 15,000+ will take it to breaking point.
The OS will have easy access plus parking for cars. Quite apart from a more comfortable stadium we must have all these facilities if the club is to attract a larger fan base and hopefully make us truly competitive in the PL
your clutching at straws now. is that really the most informative article you could find to support your argument?
I can't say I am in favour or against the move, but the only correct bit of reporting in that report is that the transport links to a redeveloped Upton Park wouldn't cope with the extra traffic..
Not that you would know this sitting in Ireland.
Like you would know anything about such costings.
Cheers Bray, i can see us comfortably beating the drop, our goal against difference is almost twice as good as those below and arround us, the team have been playing well consistently for the last 5-6 games now, the draws just need to turn to wins obviously
Cole is back (who'd have thought a few year ago we'd be relying on the big fella!) the signings have got to produce immediately, i'm going to say we'll finish 10th no lower than 12th
@Nobby : most of us were sucked in by the lies the icelandics fed us, the move to the OS was indeed first brought up by them and i still think the same supporters then, still feel the move is wrong now, no matter who owned us, you will allways have a for and against the move.
Only time will tell, but ultimitely we the fans, won't have a say in whether we move or not.
But if we did, i'm sure more people are more likly to change in favour of the move than be against .
My personal view is that to keep competitive in this league in the future you are going to need the right infrastructure as these billionaire owners can't keep coming out of the woodwork and bailing teams out and blasting millions of notes each transfer window.
I think Arsene Wenger and Arsenal (as much as I don't like to say this) are going the right way about it. They have a massive stadium which if you believe what you read brings in £1m every home game, they buy young players for next to nothing and coach them right through to the first team etc etc
We are already doing the coaching and nurturing thing (but ours is better as its home grown players!!) a hell of a lot better than most if not al the teams in our division so the next step will be a big stadium to bring in the revenue we need to keep competitive.
Don't get me wrong I love the Boleyn / Upton park whatever you prefer to call it but this is 2010 and we need to move on to bigger and better things just to ensure we stay in the league with the massive money men for now.
History is what it is…history… lets start a new legacy and move onwards and upwards with a new stadium, ensuring we hang on to our home-grown talent and buying young hungry players who want to tackle through brick walls, willing to head a medicine ball all day long, pass the ball for fun and score goals galore all for the badge……… COYI!!!!!!!!
Benny's quotes on the official site today are quite uplifting. Cannot wait for tomorrow. have to wait for the 5pm delay to watch it though
COYI!!!!!
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100205/it-is-mind…
What the Olympic stadium could end up looking like if we get it:
http://westhamprocess.com/2010/02/05/what-the-oly…
My opinion looks really nice, obviously not official but deffinately something like this would be good.
loving it braderz!
West Ham official statement:
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100205/west-ham-u…
lools nice doesn't it.
West Ham united official Statement:
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20100205/west-ham-u…
Seems like we are among exciting times at our club, things will be even better if we can pick up a result against Burnley tomorrow followed by another win on wednesday against Birmingham to push us up the legue table.
COYI!!!!
Interesting comment by Karen Brady . . ..
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8500580.stm
This continues the strategy announced last week by G&S to attract Tony F. or similarly well off financiers to put a stake into the club. I see that she has also re-affirmed the possibility of bringing an element of supporter funding too, though I think CelticHammer may not be the first in the queue lol!
Clearly it would make sense to atract more investors, if for no other reason to finally get out of the clutches of the Icelanders. This would leave the club in a better position to determine it's future, assuming all stakeholders can sign up to a common vision.
Yeah agree Hammer, think the way the club is looking is a possitive (lets hope results go the same way) and if the supporter fund is moving then who knows . . .
Danger being the common vision part!!! Never smooth being a West Ham fan so always a negative somewhere ha ha!
I guess that we all live in our own little bubble rather one big one. but it is nice to see a lot more bubbles in the air than being popped off by the media lol!
Terry Axed!…… GIVE IT TO TOMKINS!!!!
Scott Parker for Captain of England!
l go to the ground every home game,the trains are a night mare the roads are a absolute joke.l have to park my car near the ground early in the morning,leave it there then go back home,then get a train to the ground some 2 hours before the match,even by then the trains are packed.l always leave the ground 45 mins after the game pick up my car that I've parked up earlier in the morning,and then sit in jammed up roads to get home,so for me we just have to move.l also think we can fill a 50 60 thousand ground.any body on here tried buying a ticket ,try it some time see what you get offered.
Terry stripped of England captaincy! Couldn't happen to a nicer bloke!
To be honest i couldn't care less, i personly hate John Terry, i get the inpression from him that he thinks he is so much better than everyone else so im glad he has lost his captaincy, we can't have someone like that representing our country at the world cup.
O and by the way ,if any body on here goes to the home games they will tell you almost everybody stands up in the Sir Trevor Brooking near the away fans,l did that all last season,and that ain't no fun at my age
Thats's so you can see everyone standing up in the Booby Moore stand lol!
Seriously, I do have sympathy for you as I was standing in the BM end near a guy who clearly could not stand for the whole 90 minutes.
[...] What's the Business Case for the Olympic Stadium? | West Ham Till …I have always kept an open mind about the possibility of a move to the Olympic Stadium. However, the new regime at the club need to recognise that many fans. [...]
It always strikes me that our ground was redeveloped without much thought. The two stands behind the goals were rebuilt and then the West Stand. Perhaps what should have happened was that the West Stand should have been rebuilt first closer to Green Street and the pitch moved with it thus providing much more space for redevelopment of the East Stand. It seems a shame to knock down the West Stand after a relatively short life. That said the transport links at Stratford are far better and we could enjoy modern facilities. As to making prices cheaper my only away game this season was at Birmingham which was just £20 so G and S obviously kept prices down there.
My real concern is that it would be a long way to the Green Street cafe for my pre-match all day breakfast!!
Hi Peter
The West Stand was built further back and the pitch could still be moved nearer to it – allowing the East Stand to be built forward, and not any further backwards, thus avoiding the problems with the Bus Depot in Priory Road. It was all in the original plan, as I remember being very disappointed that the ground lost atmosphere because the fans were not "On Top Of" the pitch in the same way as before. I think the reality is just that they ran out of money and started to look at other options.
By going back to that plan, and filling in some of the corners, I reckon they could get up between 45K & 48K.
Like you say the pressure on infrastructure, especially transport however, is a massive blocker to the expansion of the Boleyn Ground.
Doesn't look like there's an easy answer to this. The debate's been going on for ages and will probably continue for ages to come.
Yes you are right the West Stand was built further back than before but my point was that, with the stands behind the goals already built, there was a limit to how much the East Stand could be moved. I remember my seat was right behind the goal on back row of lower Bobby Moore and suddenly I was yards to the left. It took me years to get back to where I was!!
Ah. Gotcha. Missed your point there.
Hmmmm. Not the best planning but I guess.
If I'm being honest, my greatest memories of Upton Park are locked in the 70's and 80's. Great night matches under lights, rip-roaring atmosphere, loads of singing with the odd bit of opposition baiting.
I still get to most matches, but for me the atmosphere for the majority of matches is completely dead. The Arsenal (PL) and Liverpool matches offered sporadic noise and atmosphere but the rest, apart from when we score, sadden me. The place was jumping for the Millwall match, but that got out of hand and was ruined by the pillock pitch invaders.
So with that in mind, we might as well bugger off to the Olympic Stadium and try and re-invent ourselves. I would love it if G and S could swing it that we had standing fans around the running track area making it a real cauldron of noise and intimidation for away teams. Think of the old chicken run on all four sides of the pitch. Lovely jubbly.
As for away fans, I hope that we stick them way up on the corner of the highest point of the stadium negating their presence as much as possible. I hate it that Upton Park gives away fans such a great vantage point to cheer their team on.
It should be our fans on camera, no anyone else.
My biggest concern though is where we can get Pie and Mash on match day. I'll be badgering Roy's in Hornchurch to open up in Stratford. Real Olympic tucker.
Seems from our posts we are two of a kind LP – I might have to go upmarket at eat at Wetherspoons in Stratford
I have to agree 100%, lofty. And you're right about the opposing fans position, too.
Not sure if Roy will get a space at Stratford what with the McDonalds, Starbucks and all those other great British brands.
Devo/Stratford…I reckon WHTID should form a company, buy a boozer and Pie and Mash shop at the Olympic Stadium and crack on big time. Membership only, secret handshakes, soppy T-shirts and lap-dancers(male and femail).
Gets my vote anyway.
Could be a more enjoyable way of passing a saturday afternoon than going to the game!
OFF SUBJECT……………………………………..
I was just recalling my first away match. Unless I totally imagined it, we drew 5-5 at Stamford Bridge. I have a distant memory of us leading 5-4 with not long left when they levelled, I think through Charlie Cooke.
Anyone know when that match was, or even if it actually happened or have I made it up.
I remember it well! 17 Dec 1966. Well I cheated as my first game was a few years later but I have Official History of WHU by my side!
Thanks Pierre…Bloody hell, I was only 10 years of age and already on the road supporting our lot. I'm sure I went with a few chums so I must have lied to my mum and dad about where I was that day as there is no way they would have let me go.
I there was me thinking I was a good lad who never got in trouble. Maybe I just never got caught.
First home match 1967 v Man U lost 1-3.
First away match Spurs 1970? won 1-0 – think it was boxing day. Right at the front from where the cross for our winner came – jeez, how do you remember that? I was 9. My 11 year old brother called Ralph Coates "baldy".
I am obviously a youngster compared to you two! I was brought up in Norwich so first time I saw WH was away at Ipswich Nov 68. 2-2 and as I recall Sir Geoff got both. First trip to our stadium Feb 1970 v Southampton 0-0. I just dug out the programme – price one shilling!
My trusty book shows Spuds away 27/12/71 won1 – 0.
Cheers, Peter, my btrusty book is at my Dad's! I was 10, then. As at Upton Park, we were hoisted down to the front, whilst my Dad and Uncle watched from further back -and it was packed. What was the attendance?
Devo you and Lofty are making me work hard tonight! My book does not give attendance but, not to be outdone, I dashed upstairs and found programme from 4/72 v Liverpool. It shows Spuds away attendance 53,888. Our goal scored by Clyde Best
Just looking through that programme and it gives prices for season tickets 1972-3. West Stand A block £15! Yes thats for season ticket! Per game seats upwards of 75p
The equivalent to £80, Peter!!
Glad I was there.
Geoff Hurst cross, left foot. Come on you irons!!!!!
I said it was packed. Imagine that for a 10 year old packed like sardines!
Cheers, Peter – I enjoyed reliving the memories.
Devo…brother Ralph sounds a right villain. I can recall a Man Utd match at Upton Park when they completely battered us.
The game is a blur but I recall United fans abusing a female West Ham fan who was hoisted on the shoulders of her friends.
As one, the Mancs chanted…Prostitute…Prostitute.
I had no idea what that meant so waited till I got home then asked my mum and dad at the dinner table.
I can still remember dad choking on his bubble and squeak before sending me upstairs to bed. Happy Days.
I know its stupid but I always remember lads used to walk round outside of pitch selling drinks. I was in North Bank when there was a shout from the very back and a supporter threw his money from there onto pitch (he'd be thrown out now). The lad got a carton of orange and threw it about a quarter of way up terrace where it was caught and thrown back, caught again and so on. By then crowd were amused and suddenly same voice from back shouted 'can I have a straw?' We all cracked up – happy days!
Stratford…Loved the straw story.
Lofty – the player was Ralph Coates not my brother!! LOL.
I remember the old coot, Devo. That's Coates, not your brother.
LOL
Great to read the memories. First match for me was the opener for the 1970-71 season at White Hart Lane where the Hammers drew 2-2 with Jimmy Greaves scoring West Ham's first equaliser, and his first since returning to the Lane. Peter Bennett got the other in the second half to tie up an exciting match.
First home match, if I remember correctly, was a less thrilling 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace on a very muddy pitch in February 1972 at the Boleyn Ground. Clyde Best scored a screamer from about 20 yards out in the second half to save the Hammers' blushes.
Yea I was there too Rome – was it you that stood on my foot when we scored?
Rome…I remember seeing Clyde Best getting off a 58 bus outside the ground. Can't imagine today's 50 grand a week merchants arriving in such style these days, can you?
No StratfordPeter, I wasn't guilty of stamping on your foot. My Dad had bought seats in the West Stand on the North Bank side and we were pretty much level with Clyde when he let rip his screamer.
No, Lofty, I can't imagine the club's centre forward getting off the 58 bus to go to the ground. Much is the shame!
I have no problem with the club moving. I saw my first game in 1969 with the holy trinity in claret and blue. Brass band before the game, we always stood on the west side terrace by the tunnel. You always knew when the team were coming out when Bobby punched the warm up ball out first. Getting Geoffs autograpgh when the old man lifted me onto the pitch. I was behind the goal the night Banks stopped king Geoffs pen against Stoke in the Lge cup semi. Trevors ECWC masterclass against Eintracht Frankfurt. Alvins hat trick agains 3 different keepers in 86. THAT goal by DiCanio. Happy memories but times change. We didnt start at the Boelyn, we started at the Memorial now a rugby ground. I remember the old man moaning about pulling the chicken run down, hes been a season ticket holder in the east stand 30 years now. if it means cheaper tickets count me in
Pop…I remember the Stoke match very well. It was the one and only time I ever got chucked out of the ground. I was marched around the pitch by a copper who obviously needed a half time pee. I honestly wasn;t causing any grief but was jumping up and down singing.
The half time whistle went just as I was being led up the tunnel. I still remember copping a cuff round the ear for shouting Come on Geoff as Hurst ran past me. I also saw myself on TV that night when the highlights were shown. Suffice to say, I didn't point myself out to my parents who would not have been impressed.