ClaretandHugh has invited readers to send their best Boleyn Memories as we approach the end.
Send yours to claretandhgh@gmail.com.
More tomorrow!
I was out washing cars during the school holidays in the summer of 86, I was 13.
My pal Andy AND I weren’t getting much interest. We got to a house with a dirty green Capri. Nice blonde lady answered and let us wash the car. She told us her boyfriend would pay us if we did a good job.
We finished up and then he appeared, gave us a huge smile, asked how we were, chatted about the previous record breaking season, nice long chat ending with £5 each !!!
We left feeling proper rich. He was my favourite West Ham player at that time and in my all time top top three!
Top man, that Frank McAvennie. COYI ⚒
Deniz Jaffer
My first visit to Upton Park was when I was 11, went in the south bank with my older brothers and decided to go up to the back of the stand to watch the crowd coming in.
Ran up the terrace full pelt and forgot about the crash barriers!..went smack into one. Came back down , blood pouring from my nose and a big lump forming on my forehead, refused to go to the St. Johns as I wanted to watch the game! Spent 11 years watching from the old chicken run, oh those Euro nights!
Been out here in Oz since ’74, been back a few times, the hair would rise on my neck every time I went back to the ground. My passion for the hammers just keeps growing every year as my wife (mad hammers too) and I watch every game at all hours!! COYI
TORSTOCK
Saturday afternoon, Chalkie White, in the Chicken Run, offering odds on to beat Man U. Monty blowing ( not playing) his bugle and saluting .Same songs over the loud speaker, Frank Ifield I Remember You,Speedy Gonzales,These boots were made for walking,Something Stupid. THEN the Posthorn Gallup the hairs on the back of the neck stand up and you eagerly await The immaculately turned out Bobby Moore, ball tucked under his arm; out he comes and drops the ball onto his boot as it rolls into the penalty area…..are those were the days my friend!
GEOFFREY
In season 1992/3 fans were invited to send In recollections of games they had attended and I had written a piece about the 1964 cup semi final at Hillsborough which I attended with my dad then aged 64.
It was the start of three very happy years for our team and players and supporters but most of us will know that. As we also know Bobby Moore, always my Dad’s favourite, died in February 1993 and the programme for the next home game against Wolves contained a special commemorative section and as I sat in the old West Stand sitting next to my dad looking at it I found my piece had been included in that programme a copy of which was later placed in the time capsule under the Bobby Moore Stand.
I was perhaps unsurprisingly somewhat taken aback at the time. My dad then aged 93 passed away later that year but my son then aged 6 is now a season ticket holder with me and we will take our memories with us to Stratford.
DAVID