I’m 46, live in Tunbridge Wells, although I am originally from Saffron Walden in Essex.
I also write Britain’s most widely read political blog, Iain Dale’s Diary, which I update four or five times a day. I am the publisher of Total Politics Magazine and a regular pundit on politics on the BBC, radio 4 & 5 and Sky News. But when I’m not tarting about the media or doing my politics I’m invariably at Upton Park experiencing the highs and lows that every West ham supporter goes through.
I’ve supported the Hammers through thick and thin since 1974 and been a season ticket holder since 1991. I sit in Row X of the Dr Martens Stand lower tier, not too far from the dug outs. I used to be in the East Stand Upper, which to be honest I preferred. I sit with the same group of people I have sat with for 18 years, who include two good friend of mine John Parry and Paul Joliffe.
HOW I BECAME A HAMMER
I shall whisper this, because it’s a tad embarrassing, when I was a kid I was a Man U supporter. Well, it was natural, I lived in Essex! However, I saw the light when I was about ten years old and switched to supporting the Hammers. I think it was because my best friend at primary school, Roger Sizer, supported them. I vaguely remember going to see them play Cambridge United in a testimonial game in the early 1970s (can’t find details of it on the net) and that was what finally did it. My first game at Upton Park came in 1977, when we lost 1-0 to Chelsea. I stood in the lower tier of the West Stand,, very near to where my current seat is. I remember walking along Green Street and seeing a series of fights. It’s not like than now!
Been a Happy Hammer since the mid sixties when, as a lad, I received a comic which had a special free gift of three colour photos of three players… Danny Blanchflower, Billy Wright and Bobby Moore.
I wasn’t supporting a football team, and my dad and I opted for Bobby Moore’s team. What a wonderful choice.
My earliest football memory was pleading with mum and dad to let me stay up to watch the Cup-winners’ cup final – it was way past my bedtime.
Hi, Ian! Just to say a big hello, I also live in TW and nice to see a local lad
I have enjoyed your blogs for a long time! So much so that you have inspired me to start my own WHU blag and vent my views that way!
Thanks Mate
Matt
Hi Iain – really terrific blog on the Hammers.
I’m 47, born in Ireland and now living in Australia since 1987 – and have been an avid Hammers fan since 1973. I rememebr going on a schooltrip to Butlins Holiday Camp, just outside Dublin, and all of us kids were buying soccer caps and I ended up with a rather plain West Ham one – probably because all the Arsenal, Man U and Liverpool ones were all snapped up. Thus I became a Hammer, well remebering the glorious Cup wins in 75 and 80 but also the relegations and the disapointments and all the false dawns. Then again I wouldnt have it any other way. When I tell folk that I am a Hammers fan I get the feeling people think I am a real fan – in contrast to if I was to say I was a Man U or Liverpool fan I would be think that other people think I am a glory hunter.
Havn’t been to Upton Park since 1986 but I’m really keen to get back there for a game someday soon.
COYI.
Well done on the blog, Iain.
Hi Iain,
Love this blog – I normaly check it twice a day, comfortably the best on the net – keep up the great work.
Aged 35 this year and born in Ilford, Essex, ive been a fan since the age of 4 (1978) when my dad took my brother and me to our first game against Ipswich – I don’t remember anything about the game but still have the programme. We became season ticket holders in the 80’s sitting in the lower west right next to the dugouts as my mum and dad used to do charity work for the club – anyone else remember the old scratchcards??
2nd proudest day of my life (after my wedding day) was the day i was the matchday masoct on 27/11/1983 for a live game vs Man Utd – I still have the video from the day and the commemorative book.
Due to work commitments I only get to about 10 games a year now and normaly sit in the Doc Martin’s upper where the atmos’ is rubbish….
P.S.
I will fulfil a life-times ambition on June 1st this year when i will play in the footballaid match on the hallowed turf of The Boleyn.
Hello Iain,
I think I saw you on Setanta a month ago talking about the Champions League.
Am i right?
You did indeed. And I will be on the BBC News Channel at 11.20pm tonight reviewing the newspapers, if you want another look!
Ok, Im sure to check it out.
BTW the new domain is not working properly…
Ian,
Thanks for adding scott ian to the list of celebs.ill inform him of your site so he can follow in detail.coyi spreading the disease !
Hi Ian,
So many years have passed, to read comments like you have written is quite thought prevoking. We have all moved on through life taking up our new positions in life. My memories of life when we were younger at harvest time were of sandwiches which your mum made, mostly jam If my mind serves me correctly. Do you remember the time you put the bale hook through my bottom lip ? Never been the same since. Your uncle always comes to mind, I think his name was Pat, he always had a role up in his mouth with the grime that came with it. he was always some one that I looked up to. I could go on for hours.
Never know, might see you soon.
Roger Sizer
I forgot to add that i am still of course a Hammer Fan !!!!!
Hey,
I too support the hammers cos my best friends did at primary school (in Hampshire)!
I also now live in Kent (in Capel-le-Ferne, twixt Folkestone and Dover)!
I also used to have a season ticket in row X of the DML (seat 178) but I had to give it up when I moved down here and had kids (so I didn’t think it was fair to leave my wife with newborn twins for several hours every other Saturday) and lost my job (so I couldn’t afford it)!
This site is one of the few that, for some reason, flies under the radar of our IT’s security so I shall be a very frequent visitor now I’ve discovered it!
Cheers,
Graham
Just want to say I love the Duxbury interview, top marks…