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WHUFC’s special day for boy who lost his Dad

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If you thought last weekend’s London Stadium win and the atmosphere it generated was special, imagine the day enjoyed by one young Hammers fan.

Eleven year old Bailey Punnett recently lost his Dad Scott to a sudden cardiac arrest but was invited to the game by the club to enjoy a special experience.

Scott and young Bailey have had season tickets to the Irons since the boy was five years old but the win over Saints was was Bailey’s first.
(Griffiths Photographers)

The London Evening Standard reports: “Having already met some of his heroes at the Rush Green training ground, alongside his mum Zoe, Scott’s close friend Paul Manning and his daughter Mia, was treated to a behind-the-scenes tour, a trip pitchside to watch the side warm up before meeting some of the squad once more after the match.”

 Zoe said: “Losing him has just left a massive hole in our lives. He was loved by everybody. The messages we have received have been amazing and it makes us realise what a really kind person he was.

“I still expect him to walk through the door and just can’t believe he’s not here.

“It was very emotional, watching the game.

“I cried at the first goal. But I really enjoyed it. And I’ll be coming back with Bailey.

“Knowing his dad was here with us and he was shining down on us. And I think it was him that scored those goals.”

And Bailey said: “The best match we went to was the last match at the Boleyn Ground. We got in the ground early and my Dad was singing and everything. It was amazing.

“I’ll still keep coming to matches if they win!”

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon