Mystery surrounding the fate of the three remaining John Lyall gates outside the Boleyn Ground has been cleared up after three gates were removed on Monday.
It had been originally assumed that all six gates would be relocated to the club shop but only three have been relocated as part of a construction phase of the new club shop outside the former Olympic Stadium.
The gates (right) can be seen being hoisted into place inside their new home but a computer generated image confirms that only three of the six gates will be on display in the club shop.
ClaretandHugh understands the three remaining gates will remain at the Boleyn Ground for those fans who want their photos taken next to them and a decision will made at the end of the season what becomes of the gates. We have been told the club were only able to incorporate three gates within the design of the new club shop and the option of placing them in the Olympic Park is not a viable option.
The club liaised with the Lyall family as well as fans before making a decision to move the gates.
A source close to the club “We want to take as much West Ham memorabilia with us possible, but we can’t take it all, we will think carefully what happens to the remaining gates to ensure they get a good home.”
What do you think should happen to the remaining gates when we leave the Boleyn Ground in May?
Actually, shouldn’t it be Boleyn Gategate?
Can they not be used somewhere on the new housing complex. A reminder of what was once there.
Yes Frenchie, Nigel Kahn mentioned this too and I passed the idea on to the club
If they can’t be sensibly incorporated into the housing project, then they should be an integral part of our new training ground and serve as a permanent reminder to all players entering the place; what the club stands for and that if they serve/perform as previous legends have done, that they could also be honoured in our future history.
Like it…..
I agree that they should go to the training ground. Imagine if tonight was next year (U21 semi final at Rush Green) with players and fans going through the gates to watch a West Ham game.- our two homes connected by a common history. I would rather them there than in the housing project where who knows what might happen to them as we cannot assume that only WHU fans are going to live there.
With you exile ! Most logical IMO . A no brainer , keep them close to the club .
Maybe the club should ask in a poll !
Training ground solution, is bang on the button.
Personally I would spilt them up. One in the redevelopment in the Boleyn Ground in the memorial ground as Frenchie and Nigel suggested.
One on the corner of Green Street to replace the 1966 statue, Newham wants a permanent reminder to West Ham. Hugh came up with that idea.
And the final one to Rush Green training ground as you have suggested above.
Let’s spread the John Lyall Gates Love around …..
As a thank you for their services to our club I think the gates should be given to our chairman. One gate should be given to David gold. One gate to David Sullivan. One gate to Karen Brady. They can then choose what to do with them. My feeling is David gold will give his to charity. David Sullivan will incorporate his into the gates of his mansion and Karen Brady will auction hers to the highest bidder.
Sounds like an “Open & Closed” case to me ??