If You Are Not One Of Us You Won't Understand

A house is merely bricks and mortar, it is the people who make it a home! as the old saying goes and we are moving shortly from our private residence to our private (yet shared) let. I was born on Feb 23rd 1960 just a few short years before we won our first FA Cup, dazzled Europe and supplied arguably the 3 most important Lions for the English national team to date. I was born in the old Forest Gate Hospital and was brought up in Plaistow in Dacre Road so in effect pretty damn near The Boleyn. But my love for West Ham came even before I was born and I attended the stadium before I was born (I won't be the only one) up until my dear old mum was about 5 months pregnant she went to the Boleyn (and other grounds with my old fella. They stood behind the dugout next to the tunnel. Yep 1959 and my mothers hero was good old Kenny Brown. It was 10 years (1969) that my dad took me to my first game and a newly promoted Derby County provided the opposition. I had pleaded both before and after this match for my father to take me to no avail. Anyway there I was standing in the spot where my mum used to stand just behind the dugout right next to the tunnel. Enter the gladiators ... Moore, Hurst, Peters, Brooking, Bonds, Lampard Snr and the worlds most expensive goalie Bobby Ferguson etc.
This was it it was real not something on the old black and white TV but I was there. We won with 2 goals from Geoff and one from Martin and I was in heaven. 3-0 winners over a side managed by the mercurial Brian Clough. The games highlights were on Sundays The Big Match and there I was in my Green anorak in full view as the players went off at both half and full time. I remember the game mainly because in the stand sat Jimmy Tarbuck and Ronnie Corbett of all people.
The following season and I got to see another hero in Claret and Blue the legendary Jimmy Greaves in games v Burnley (we won 3-1 a Hurst Hat-trick) and Blackpool (2-1 win with Greaves and Eustace the scorers) Both those sides were relegated and we weren't far above them. Our family moved north to Kilmarnock in the West of Scotland (ironic as that is where we got Bobby Ferguson) and I watched the local side but it just was not the same.
Holidays back "home" always meant a trip to the Boleyn and every time it was the sheer excitement and the hairs on the back of your neck standing up, the anticipation and welcoming new heroes. I personally moved back in 1977 and the first thing I did was make sure I went to see West 'Am. out of Upton Park Station turn left past Queens Market , The Queens Pub with punters spilling out onto the pavement as it always mobbed , past the stalls of Burgers, scarves and badges as well as the programme sellers. A trip into Ken's Cafe or down to the Barking Road to Nathans Pie and Mash for a pre match nosh up. The Boleyn Pub heaving with the light refreshment brigade all good fun especially when you went in and couldn't see a thing with the cloud of cigarette smoke, but who cared it was all part and parcel of the matchday experience. Years on and now back in Scotland (since the 90's ) I still go back when I can though I have this term had to make do with away games just could not get a ticket or the timing was wrong to be at The Boleyn one last time.
I have seen us knocked out the League Cup (2-5) by Barnsley, beaten by Millwall (1-2) in that old Simod Cup, witnessed hammerings from Arsenal, defeats against QPR, Wednesday et al but my love and loyalty for West Ham never waned. I was lucky to see us in the play off final and that has to be my proudest personal West Ham moment seeing us win at Wembley. We enter a new era when we go to Stratford , it will be different ... no burger vans, no Kens Cafe, no Boleyn Pub no stalls selling scarves , flags, badges and t-shirts (unless that changes) We will welcome the new generation and without a doubt a young couple will watch West Ham while looking forward to being parents. Maybe when their child is my age they will be reflecting on The OS experience walking through Westfield and marching onto the Stadium which is all they will know although no doubt mum. dad, uncles, grandparents will tell the tales of The Boleyn and what it meant to them and how "it's just not the same these days"
I really hope to see our lads in our new "home" I hope our brilliant fans make it feel like "home" as we are all well aware West Ham United were around before we were born and they will be around long after we have gone not only due to Mssrs Gold, Sullivan and Brady but the countless fans of yesterday, today and tomorrow. We will endeavour to make new history, break records and thrive as part of a community of high spirits and hope. Let us hope for those stalls and cafes that they too can move forward as part of this new era, they are as much a part of the matchday experience the team itself. I will shed a tear on Tuesday but we all know in reality we must move on. Let us hope we don't leave anyone behind.