Leroy: “I’ve been invited to last farewell but those fabulous fans will carry Boleyn spirit to the OS”

I’m very proud to have received an invite to the Boleyn on Tuesday night for what is going to be a hugely emotional farewell to one of the best places in the world!

I had two of the greatest years of my career on that wonderful stage and I have no idea how I am going to feel as we say goodbye for the final time.

It will be wonderful to join all the other ex Hammers particularly my pals George Parris, Tony Gale and Alan Dickens and all the others.

I will remember scoring on my debut against Watford and how that helped to keep us up and grabbing four against West Brom and other moments which are so special.

The fans though are the ones I’ll remember most and the fact that they are people who – if you give everything and leave nothing out there on the pitch – will give you their total loyalty.

Now I was never a Devo or Brooking but that didn’t matter. They knew every time I went out there I would give the lot and they love players who do that – it’s what sets them apart from any fans at any other club.

And it is that special attitude and atmosphere which will prove portable and those fabulous fans will carry Boleyn spirit to the OS and ensure that precisely the same vibe exists there as we have had at Upton Park all these years.

The Boleyn has been the most wonderful unique theatre in the world but although the OS will be very different our fans will ensure that the atmosphere remains the same.

I, of course, suffered a shocking injury at Upton Park which finally saw me close down my career early and who knows what may have happened if that hadn’t happened.

But I never really think in those terms and the outcome was that I had a wonderful family as a result and a career which has given me enormous pleasure.

So let’s not look back and fret! Tuesday night is going to be incredibly emotional and I hope the players don’t freeze up in it all, although at this stage we don’t know how much will be on it.

It will be a big test for the players in such an emotional atmosphere but it will definitely be a night to remember and treasure.

I would like to thank the club that they have made me a part of it all.

I expect us to beat Swansea today and then prepare for a match which could prove difficult from many points of view. However, I’m sure there will be a serious determination to bid farewell with a big victory over a team that has always been one of our biggest rivals.