New Claret&Hugh blogger Steve Knightley is a happy Hammer. He’s delighted to be ushering in the new Slaven Bilic era – and welcoming the return of Julian Dicks to the coaching set-up. And he’s also pleased that David Sullivan and David Gold have been men of their word, giving our club the backing and support it has sorely needed.
A little over a fortnight ago I uploaded a video to YouTube. It showed my view, from the Bobby Moore Stand, of Slaven Bilic walking out in front of a sold out Boleyn as our new manager. The video was shared by Claret&Hugh – and so far, it has been watched more than 13,000 times.
But why. Why is there so much excitement and enthusiasm among fans at the moment?
Naturally, the immediate suggestion is because we have a new manager. It’s true that there was an enormous sense of joy and excitement when Sam Allardyce’s contract wasn’t ‘renewed’. But is this mood really all down to Allardyce’s exit?
The news of Big Sam’s departure came within four minutes of the final whistle of the last game of the season. I have written many press releases and statements before and I can assure you they take more than four minutes to write, no matter how short they are. You get the impression then that this announcement was prepared some time ago.
If this bit of speculation on may part is remotely true, it would go a long way to explaining the lack of desire and determination in the team that was evident earlier in the year. It could also explain why members of the backroom staff wasted no time in getting other jobs; why Allardyce’s flat was vacated before the final game of the season; and why he chose not to wear his West Ham tie during the Newcastle game.
For all the protesters then, objective complete. Allardyce was gone and a new name was going to be etched on the managerial door. But let’s imagine for a moment that it wasn’t Bilic receiving a rapturous reception – but it was David Moyes, or even Rafa Benitez. Would we still be as excited as we are and would 13,000 people have tuned in to an amateur video?
Right for West Ham
I believe this new found intense and infectious aura around the ground and amongst the fans is a realisation that, at last, we have our club back. We have a board that is listening to us. We have a board that wants to do the right thing. In simple terms, they are living the ‘West Ham way’.
Of course some will disagree. I remember when David Sullivan and David Gold took over the club and the announcement was broadcast on Sky Sports News (the videos are still available on YouTube).
The new owners were inheriting debts ‘so large’ most people wouldn’t be able to shoulder the burden. For we were a club in crisis after the mad dabblings of our Icelandic friends.
Most importantly, the stand out quote at that time was: “If we have a huge ground, we can take football back to the people. We can make admission prices affordable, because we’d have the capacity to do it. We would have the cheapest Premier League prices in the country and that is all part of our strategy.”
And true to their word, they have stuck to their guns. They have made the seemingly impossible possible. For prices for the Olympic Stadium have been recently been released and they are, by far, the cheapest in the country.
I strongly believe we have all started to realise that the good times are coming back.
Sure, we possibly could have had Moyes or Benitez on our books. But would we have cared so much? Would it have been RIGHT for us? Would the passion felt by the board be matched by the person on the touchline? Would we have seen Julian Dicks back? Would we all have felt so excited when our pre-order shirts arrived? Would we have been singing so loudly against FC Lusitans? Would we have sold out on a Thursday night with no beer? Would 13,000 of you have watched my video?
Sullivan and Gold have had to swim through treacle to get us to where we are, and they have come out the other side. In my opinion, things can only get better for West Ham. Everything is in place for us to have a truly magical final season at the Boleyn Ground.
The timing couldn’t be better. And once we are in the Olympic Stadium? I think the building blocks are in place for us to hit the ground running. And once and for all we will be able to show everyone…
The West Ham way!
The views expressed here are those of the blogger and are not necessarily shared by Claret&Hugh
Great read!! I’m glad we got Slav, I never felt sure about Moyes.. and benitez, while a class manager, just doesn’t share the same passion and relation to the club.
Upton Park is going to be louder, prouder and stronger than for many years.. and it will affect the players positively. Think it’s going to be tough beating us at home this season.. knock on wood!!
Can’t wait!!
Never wanted Moyes or the fat Spanish waiter – why have an ex Mickey Mouser when you can have Super Slav?? No brainer – lets sign Austin or Remy a couple of wingers – get shot of Nolan, Jarvis and take the £6m for Downing and ram that “be careful what you wish for” back at Shearer, Savage and all the other pundits who have absolutely no idea what it is like to be a West Ham fan.
It is our club and we now have OUR Manager – Richard Keys is another one who just sprung to mind….what does that hairy monkey man know – sexist shaves 20 times day Coventry fan.
Stick to Monkey World Keysey……….Super Slav’s Claret and Blue Army….!!!
Can you pass this on to Wetpants.com
We are back free from the constraints of the Hippo,
Long live the Hammers
Back to the westham way
Back to the bunker
Absolutely love it,I’m sure some might dissect the piece,question the Daves or claim it is seen through claret and blue tinted glasses but I’m with you Steve I love the positivity and ambition,long may we stay that way.
There are plenty of people who accuse the Davids of being here for the money, and that they will walk with a fortune from west ham.
Well I say good luck if they make a fortune, because to do that they woulld have to make us a very big sucessful club.
I can’t wait.
Spot on brother.
We do indeed have our club back and I truly believe the positivity and vibe will transmit into performances and points on the pitch and hopefully be the difference in standing firm against the last minute goal syndrome of last season.
There really is a feel good factor going on at the moment. But there are already people trying to question everything & pick arguments. It’s like flies around dog s**t..
it feels like a dark cloud has been lifted from over the club. (thats imho in case anyone wants to pick my comments to pieces) 😀
yeah they do that to me too, but it should stop as the football gets better.
Stop bloody moaning dafishes,lol,you give as good as you get.Put your halo away innocent little victim 😀
ha ha jus waiting for a bite tx Tys
Lol,i didnt want to disappoint you 😉
your on here full-time bad as me
Love it,Come On You Irons!!!
Things are so good I’m bunking my grandson off school so we can get a Euro night game in at UP.he’s only 10 and we won’t get back until 1am but it will be worth it. It’s a one off,his first and last so it has to be good. Coyi.
The fans have their club back and a manager to all get behind. Even the BFS lovers must have sensed by now this is what we needed – all the fans United. I was sick of Allardyce, couldn’t listen to him, never forgave him for the cupped ear at home at Hull and his negative boring football. I’d rather lose 3-4 than respect the point and lose 1-2 having scored the first goal. Slaven playing for the club and connecting with the fans proves you do need a connection with a manager for harmony. This is the season we have been waiting for since we got promoted with Pardew. We all have hope, intrigue, passion but this time we have Super Slav in the dugout with Dicks. The future is bright……the future is chim chiminey chim chiminey chim chim cha roo…!!! COYI
Great read and absolutely spot on, the years of Hippo were divisive, he brainwashed a high % of people into thinking that we shouldn’t dream anymore and should be happy with mediocrity. He questioned the tradition, the fans whilst never holding his hands up to his countless mistakes, tactical naivety and his blind delusion to his chosen few.. The club is now on a upturn with a manager that understands the fans, the traditions and dares to dream, a assistant that as a player showed grit, determination wore his heart on his sleeve… The dark days of negativity have gone to be replaced by hope.
This is brilliant everyone’s positive even Rugby who I hope has a great time at the match with his grandson,no better reason for bunking off. Just hope he doesn’t bump into Lady B lol
A top six finish will satify 99% of supporters the other,1% **** off.