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Comments
Just watched it myself and it left me feeling very sad, not some much with the content, but with as Suzanne & brookings mentioned on the Swansea thread pre kick off, with the fact that the person who I have the most memories with is no longer here to see us move to hopefully a better future. That coupled with the fact that it looks as if it is going to be a long time before I can build such memories with my young son as it is going to be difficult to get in to the Olympic Stadium for matches with the tickets being scarce.
Matty Etherington:
'I'll miss it as much as my hair.' ;weep
Today is very important. One of the biggest days in my life. We are playing the last time in our beautiful Boleyn Ground with incredible atmosphere. We're playing against Manchester United, who fight to TOP 4. I'm in love with De Gea's reflex. But today - it doesn't matter.
I will be serious today. I just want to say, that in life you remember only moments. You were many times in Boleyn Ground and today is the day to say goodbye. Please, say it as beautifully as you can. We would like to say goodbye with tears in eyes, because of great, last win. We lost in our last cup's match against MU. Now it's time to beat them. And then, you will tell tou your grandkids:
- Hey little. I was there in last Boleyn's match and we kicked ManU's asses.
I feel nervous, cause I want to give you the best thing I can. You've got my heart.
Little did I know!!
Dad used to park in the car park of the school next to the ground ‘because he knew a bloke’. The image that comes to mind whenever I think about Upton Park is the one from this day, memories of games from then are a bit mixed up but this one is crystal clear. The old west stand and the porter cabin shop, that’s my West Ham. Dad got me a scarf [which is in my keep sake box in hid loft] and we went in I’m sure up some steps into a bar but this memory could be mixed up with other games. I was allowed another fizyy pop and by 2:30 was off my face on sugar and e numbers, over excited and on the verge of tears. I do remember the smell of boiled burgers, a unique smell that I’ve been unable to find anywhere else [thank goodness] lol.
What is burned in my mind is that feeling in my belly and up my spine when I we stood in front of our seats as the ground sang bubbles. My dad checked his watch was dead on 3pm [in line with the refs] and the match started. All I could hear for the next 90minutes was Johnny Lyalls claret and blue army changed relentlessly from the north bank.
I was sunk. I fell in love that day when I was far too young to have any idea of what being in love means.
;scarf
On this day... in 1980
1980: Paul Allen became the youngest man to date to play in an FA Cup final at
Wembley, aged 17 years and 256 days, as West Ham beat Arsenal 1-0.
coyi
;whistle
By all accounts Alvin Martin won't be at the game tonight he's got another function booked and was very tight lipped as to why he had the conflict
;hmm
I remember the crowd singing EVERY players name until they acknowledged us before ko, the cacophony of noise as the game kicked off and going ballistic with each goal and not getting told of for shouting and being noisy (which people may have noticed I still like to be loud) I remember asking my dad why we called David Cross "bicycle" until I was informed through them pissing themselves laughing that they were singing "PSYCHO" not cycle!
I was hooked from then on, I was a hammer (for my sins) I've spent most of my life it seems at that sacred holy ground watching some genius talent in the likes of Brooking, Devonshire, Bonds, Parkes,Martin,Rio,Di Canio, McAvennie, Ashton the list goes on & on.
I was there for Cottee's debut against the yids, Di Canio's wonder goal against Wimbledon, The 4-1 destruction of Liverpool in the league cup when Ince came to the public eye, I was at our first foray back in Europe against Osijek of Croatia, all the playoffs & cup final since etc etc
I've travelled the length and breadth of the country supporting this team, it gets in your blood like a poison you can't cure, it's more addictive than crack! It's ridiculous sitting there watching some of the worst football that I've ever seen but we also play some of the best stuff you've ever seen.
watching Brooking Devonshire or Di Canio doing things that take your breath away leaving you screaming for more and just privileged to have witnessed it.
Being a Hammer is one of the biggest roller coaster rides you could ever go on but it's by far the best ride you could wish for.
I've cursed my old man and brother for getting me involved with the club at times because it can be painful watching Titi Camara waddle around the pitch in a West Ham shirt helping getting us relegated for what seems the umpteenth time, but then we do the double over cheatski that year and I forget the bad times cos there's just enough great to keep me going.
Tonight is going to painful to leave the ground where my mum & dad's ashes are scattered, where I met my wife, where I've laughed n cried, where I have spent time with 30,000 or so other members of this West Ham family every other week.
Goodbye my dear friend Upton Park ;hug