Guest Post by Spencer Dodd
(NOTE FROM IAIN: This was a comment left of the Upton Park Memories thread below, but I thought it was so good it deserved to be a main post. I hope Tony McDonald uses it in his book)
1. What, and who was it, that led you to support West Ham United in the first place and what do you recall from your first visit to Upton Park? What are your outstanding memories from that particular day or game?
I guess like most people I was born into the West Ham Family. As far as I’m aware it all started with my Grandfather, Lawrance Arthur Dodd, who was born in the area and then brought up in a local orphanage when his parents died. Growing up in the area it was inevitable I guess that he should become a West Ham fan and subsequently a season ticket holder. Over time he set up his own business in Forest Gate and started his own family. My father, Jeffrey Lawrance Dodd, followed his footsteps working alongside him at the shop fitters (what became L&J Dodd LTD) and also as a season ticket holder at Upton Park regularly visiting the games together. It will come as no surprise to learn then that I was born with a claret and blue scarf around my neck. Literally. For many years my father and I were season ticket holders together and my grandfather would continue to join us from time to time as I grew up. For a short while, while I played football myself and went off to school and later university our attendance waned although our affinity for the team never did. It was always a common language for us though. Shortly after my return from university my father became very ill and subsequently wheelchair bound. At this point I decided that it would be a good idea for us to renew our season tickets and to reconnect as father and son. He always loved going to the games and we continued to do so up until he passed away a few years ago. When my father died my attendance once again dropped off although my support for the team never wavered. That was until this year, when for our 10th wedding anniversary my wife bought me a season ticket! I found it a strangely emotional experience, returning to the stadium for the first time attending on my own. It brought back so many memories of my father, my grandfather and the various seats we’d occupied together over the years.
2. Describe any pre-match rituals that you followed, or a favourite haunt (perhaps a pub or café) that you usually visited on your way to or from the Boleyn Ground?
My father and I would always love to stop at the same hot dog stall on Green Street next to the stadium, to buy a programme and picking up something to eat on the way from Upton Park Tube Station to the ground. I’d always have a hot dog whilst he tended to prefer a burger. Half time he always liked a cup of bovril and may be we’d get a new piece of memorabilia. Mid week games were generally too late for me so my dad would always go on his own and may be take a mate with him. I’d generally be at home tucked up in bed, listening to the radio, waiting for him to get home clenching a programme and to tell me all about it.
3. What stands out as your most vivid memory from a game at Upton Park? This could be an unusual incident, or perhaps something bizarre, amusing or controversial.
It has to be my appearance as a match day mascot before the home win against Aston Villa. My over riding memory was in fact the smell of the changing rooms. I met the players, John Lyall the manager, and got them all to sign the album of photographs I was given on the day. I still have all the photos, the programme, the album, their signatures and the 10p piece that was tossed to decide who would be kicking off the game. I remember kicking the ball to Phil Parkes in the warm up and the cheer from the supporters behind the goal when I scored, with my family and friends cheering on in the crowd. Sadly it’s the closest I ever got to becoming a professional footballer but as the game was on featured live on Match of The Day, when the BBC was able to show live games, so I was able to watch myself over and over again as the years went by. Sadly the vhs tape has gone along with the vhs recorder.
4. Describe any ‘characters’ in the crowd who you recall and why they stood out.
Over the year my father, my grandfather and I had seats in most of the stands. Of course you come across many characters, forging relationships and sharing in the god times and the bad with your neighbours. However, rather than any one individual it was the chicken shed that stood out to me growing up. I loved their enthusiasm, their passion, the noise they generated and the feelings that they instilled within me as a child. I often wondered what it would be like to stand in there amongst them. As a young boy I had no idea what they were singing or shouting about (which to be honest was probably for the best) but I would try and sing along with my own made up lyrics.
5. Greatest goals you’ve ever seen scored at Upton Park (NOT an away game) by West Ham players? Please try and describe the goals as best you can.
Every one of Ray Stewart’s penalties. As a right back myself growing up I’d always watched out for the right back and how he played the game. For me there were few better than Ray Stewart. Hard but fair, never shirked a tackle and with a hammer of a right foot. Whenever he stepped up to take a penalty there was no question of him placing it, he just thumped it as hard as he could and the ball was generally past the keeper before he’d had a chance to react. He hardly ever missed and at that time we were winning a few. Bonds would invariably break up the play and win the ball, passing it on to Brooking who would then ship it out to Devonshire on the wing. Devonshire would dance into the box before dropping a shoulder and going past the defender. However, more often than not he’d be taken down before he could get his cross in or get a shot away. Defenders knew what was coming but seemed helpless to do anything about it. Given the regularity with which it would happen my dad was always up on his feet telling him to “get in the box” and bemoaning the fact that he didn’t do it more often!
6. The happiest and lowest you felt after watching a home game at Upton Park – and why?
Beating Spurs and Chelsea was always a highlight but for me but it has to be the Play Off Semi Final against Ipswich. My dad by this stage was pretty ill and had been in a wheel chair for some time. Driving to the game, parking, getting him in and out of the wheelchair, to the stadium to and from our seats etc etc made it quite an ordeal. As a result we’d been going less and less frequently. To be fair everyone was always very helpful, very respectful and hugely supportive which only ever strengthened my respect for the fans and deep love I have for what to me has always been a family and community lead club. Anyway, I sensed it was going to be a cracker in advance and my dad and I wouldn’t have too many more opportunities like this so I splashed out on a few hospitality tickets for me and my dad. We could get there early, have dinner at the stadium, and take our seats which I’m pleased to say were still in amongst it so we didn’t feel too detached from it all. Alan Pardew pulled out every trick in the book and drew upon everything at his disposal to get the crowd going …. the smoke, the horns, the singing, bubbles …… and he succeeded in whipping the crowd up into a real frenzy. The early goal and the way we attacked the game helped but it was non stop noise from start to finish. Dad and I both left with a smile on our faces and a memory to cherish.
7. Name your three most favourite players and say what made each of them so special to you.
I’ve limited it to players I’ve seen hence the omission of people like Bobby Moore. Phil Parkes I loved as a kid and he kept us in so many games. Trevor Brooking made it all look so easy. It would always excite me to see his name on the team list. Billy Bonds had claret and blue running through his veins. Had the ability to lift the team and the crowd with his commitment. Joe Cole. Paolo Di Canio. David Cross. Dave Swindlehurt. McAvennie. Dean Ashton. Tevez. Devonshire. Julian Dicks. Alvin Martin. Trevor Sinclair. Paul Goddard. Bobby Barnes. All get a notable mention.
8. Your ‘cult’ favourite – not necessarily the best, but a player you admired or liked.
Ray Stewart. As a right back myself growing up I’d always watched out for the right back and how he played the game. For me there were few better than Ray Stewart. Hard but fair, never shirked a tackle and with a hammer of a right foot. Whenever he stepped up to take a penalty there was no question of him placing it, he just thumped it as hard as he could and the ball was generally past the keeper before he’d had a chance to react.
9. What is your all-time favourite Hammers home strip?
Again it would have to be the strip I was a mascot in. I’ve still got it in fact. Not just because I was mascot but I’ve always loved it. Well designed. Not overly fussy. A classy satin like finish.Traditional claret and blue. Designed by Adidas in a way that I appreciated and could identify with as a young boy at the time. That and the famous FA Cup winning kit of course that Trevor scored his infamous diving header in!
10. Your views on the move to the Olympic Stadium and what you think the long-term future holds for WHU?
It’s a step forwards and as much as I love Upton Park it’s essential to our future development and attracting the kind of players that we all want to see playing the type of football we appreciate. I’ll certainly be taking my memories of Upton Park, my father and my grandfather with me to the new stadium.