About Us

Claret & Hugh is a West Ham news and opinions site run by West Ham fans with a deep history of supporting the Hammers, and with years of experience reporting and commentating on our beloved team.

The website was founded by Hughie Southon, a sports journalist following West Ham United and the England team for over 40 years with some of the UK’s biggest newspapers. Hughie was also the ghostwriter for West Ham legend and England’s World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore.

Hugh Southon-Claret and Hugh-West Ham

Claret and Hugh founder Hughie Southon

During his time in football, Hughie built up an extensive list of contacts, insiders and ITKs who still continue to assist the site to this day.

Contributing writers for Claret & Hugh over the years have been a who’s who of former players and managers including Harry Redknapp, Tony Gale, Frank McAvennie, Tony Cottee, Ray Stewart, Leroy Rosenior and many more.

Regular writers include Sean Whetstone, who hosts the West Ham weekly show Moore Than Just a Podcast and has built up an extensive network of contacts inside and outside the club to give Claret & Hugh (widely known as C&H) exclusive updates.

Sean Whetsone at the London Stadium

The team is made up of Kris Gonzo, who has been one half of Hammers Chat for over 10 years, which is one of the biggest West Ham YouTube and media channels. Gonzo is also a regular contributor for Sky Sports, as well as having been a pitchside reporter at the London Stadium for Football Focus and for BBC Radio 5 Live. He has also worked in-house for West Ham United’s media team as an interviewer and videographer.

C&H writer Gonzo reporting on West Ham for the BBC direct from the London Stadium

Martin Treasure is a long-time West Ham fan with a long history of blogging and, more importantly, supporting West Ham from way back. Martin is a daily contributor on the site with forthright opinions on all the latest West Ham news.

Matt Kemp, like everyone else, is a long-standing West Ham fan who used to write for the club fanzine Over Land and Sea. Matt is a former contributor to Hammers Chat, sending in “Your Shout” videos giving match reviews after games.

Hughie always used to say that he wanted Claret & Hugh to be a daily online West Ham newspaper — and that’s what we aim to do. We cover every West Ham game as well as transfers, news, views and sometimes strong opinions, and also run a comments section where fans can have their say on all things West Ham.

COYI