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A Very Happy Christmas to All WHTID Readers!

Hi all,

It’s certainly been an up and down year in virtually every area of life. Forget Brexit, forget Trump, for our own little tribe we started the year on a high, and it ends, well, on an up, I suppose. If we can get nine points over the festive season we could actually end up where we started the year – in 7th place. That seemed highly unlikely until a week ago.

Christmas is supposed to be a time for celebration, contemplation and giving thanks. For some of us, this Christmas won’t be quite the same as previous ones. I lost my Dad on Wednesday, and any of you who have lost a parent will know what the last few days have been like. We cling on to our cherished memories, and for me none more so than when I took my Dad to the Play Off Final at Wembley against Blackpool. In my Dad’s teenage years, Blackpool were the Manchester United of their day. His last visit to Wembley was the 1948 FA Cup Final when Blackpool lost 4-2 to Manchester United. He was 19 at the time. It is a day I will remember for ever, not just because we won, but because it was something that I shared with my Dad. And we didn’t do enough of that. He was a very great man, my Dad – one of the most popular people I know. He and my mother gave me and my sisters the perfect start in life, a perfect childhood, spent on a farm in a small rural community in North Essex. Being from a farming family I was supposed to take over the family farm. My life, however, took on a very different trajectory and not once did my parents express any regret about that, although deep down I’m sure they felt it. Like most men of his generation, my Dad wasn’t big on showing emotions, but he had ways of letting me know he was proud of me, without actually saying it. And I loved him for it.

Anyway, sorry, that went on a bit longer than I had intended. Finally, let me say thank you to everyone who contributes to the site on a regular basis, especially Zaman Siddiqui, Dan Coker, David Hautzig and HamburgHammer. Also thanks to all those who comment, and/or come here every day to read our latest thoughts. It’s what make it worthwhile.

Have a very happy Christmas with your loved ones.

All the best

Iain

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West Ham Till I Die is a website and blog designed for supporters of West Ham United to discuss the club, its fortunes and prospects. It is operated and hosted by West Ham season ticket holder, LBC radio presenter and political commentator Iain Dale.

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