Guest Post by Janne Raukovaara from Finland
My family moved to London in 1969 when I celebrated my second birthday. My father worked for Finnair at LHR and he sadly passed away in 1975. My mother met a wonderful man, Alan Collier, and after this and he turned me to the West Ham way. At the time we lived in Ealing and my brother and I were obviously QPR fans because of vicinity and school pressures but, I so fell in love with the claret and blue.
I will never forget Wembley 1980 and my favourite player Trevor Brooking, who was married to a Finnish lady called Hilkka who has the same name as my mother! I have to say that there is a West Ham way….the short passing attacking game that was played under Lyall was fantastic, I will always remember at school the total opposite was boring, boring Arsenal….
My mother’s relationship with Alan only lasted a few years and I lost touch. I have lived in Finland since 1988 but so wish that I could be reunited with Alan again…..I come back to see the Irons every year and have West Ham in my blood. Maybe somebody who knows our background will put us in touch again?
I have to say that Bilic will bring back the football West Ham deserve. BFS didn’t have a clue. What’s the point of playing football if you are not entertaining the fans? Also £15m for Austin (proven goal scorer like Ashton or Shearer) or Kane £40m ? Get real…Austin is a bargain !
Note from Iain: If anyone knows Alan Collier do contact me via the Contacts button above, and I will put you in touch with Janne.