West Ham Till I Die

YorkieIrons

Cantankerous old git with a soft spot for West Ham, bike racing, fishing and red wine!

  • From: Otley, GOC, United Kingdom
  • Born: 1955

About me

I'm 65 (as of March 2021) and live in lovely Wharfedale. Moved back to God's Own Country in 2014 and not regretted it for a second. The only downside is rarely getting to see West Ham home games. I can get to watch my hometown team Huddersfield Town though.

How I came to support West Ham

I moved to London for Uni (LSE) in 1974 and got chummy with a group who loved football but didn't follow a London club. We decided to go to a different First Division (remember that?) team each weekend - students could actually afford entrance in those days and decide which game to go to over breakfast. Suffice to say by October all but one of us were Hammers - the other one we soon fell out with as he chose To**enh*m, poor soul! That season I got to the FA Cup quarter & semi finals but couldn't get one for the final. However we enjoyed a very boozy watch round a communal TV in the Hall of Residence and ended up paddling in the Trafalgar Square fountains. No going back!

My best West Ham memory

The 4-0 away win at Wh**e H*rt La*e 2nd September 1981. Nearly ended up with broken ribs as they let in way too many into the West Ham enclosure - shades of Hillsborough. But the win and personal hero David 'Psycho' Cross scoring all four made it a very special night. Second (amusing) memory was from when we used to stand in the west side at The Boleyn (RIP). It was when the Salvation Army Band used to play before the game. One joker scrunched up his chip paper and lobbed it in the direction of the band - it miraculously went straight into the tuba, to much hilarity. The next home match the Sally Army band stood 10 yards further onto the pitch!

The best West Ham game I’ve ever seen

European Cup Winners Cup. West Ham v. Ararat Yerevan 5th November 1975. I don't mind losing to a side playing good football, and Yerevan were amazing that night, fully deserving the standing ovation from the knowledgeable home fans they received.

Favourite Player

Alan Devonshire
Winger

All Time Eleven

Alan Devonshire
Winger
Trevor Brooking
Midfielder
Angelo Ogbonna
Central Defender
David Cross
Striker
Tony Cottee
Striker
Frank Lampard Senior
Left back
Ludek Miklosko
Goalkeeper
Dimitri Payet
Winger
Graham Paddon
Midfielder
Ray Stewart
Right back
Alvin Martin
Central Defender

About us

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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Iain Dale, WHTID, PO Box 663, Tunbridge Wells, TN9 9RZ

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