By Hughie Southon
Scuse me a minute…this piece could get very personal!.
Having said that, I reckon what I want to say this afternoon could probably be repeated in some shape or form by all other Hammers fans of a certain age.
I’ve been an Iron since 1962 when I took my first job in the ‘smoke’ and was taken to the Boleyn by my boss – a guy named believe it or not , Tony Cottee!
Soon after I saw the greatest Hammers game of my 59 years – the 1964 FA Cup semi final win over Manchester United at a drenched Hillsborugh – the prelude to an FA Cup win and Cup Winners Cup victory a season later. Saw ’em both.
During the years between then and now I learned all about the West Ham Way which boiled down to “You score five and’well get six.”
The rest of the family were, and remain, Spuds and despite their belief that although not winning much they are more glamorous than us, none of them has ever enjoyed the regular drama of being a Hammer.
Thank God they are stuck in their north London delusion – at least we have always known what we are.
Well we did but now we get to the point of this piece!
As I wrote the other day, this is a new West Ham going, I believe, to very big places under a manager with a very chequered history…a man who will never be poached by so called bigger clubs simply because David Moyes doesn’t have the necessary glamour
It’s absolutely amazing what’s going on at our gaff and every one of us deserves every second of of it.
After years and years we are becoming a club of which to be 1,000 per cent proud – not that we ever weren’t – but this rush of success is soooo enjoyable and – to use the word again – DESERVED.
I’ve seen every West Ham team over those 59 years of my life and I’m gonna say it straight out – this is probably the best because it bosses games, is organised, has a fabulous spirit and playing style which is dead easy on the eye.
All that’s left is to win something and I really think we can do that this season or next!
We’ve earned these days folks – we really have.
COYI
Well said Hugh, you have condensed our history and the essence of what it has been to support this club over the years. Unfortunately, I missed out on those amazing successes during the sixties, but I’m pleased that you managed to escape the wrong side of London.
Like yourself, I feel that the stars have aligned and that we now have a manager, for all of the reasons that you mentioned, who will be here for the long haul. He has not only assembled a squad capable of winning things but he is steadily putting an infrastructure in place, that will produce consistently going forward.
When Moyes took over and he stated that he was looking to change the mentality of the club, it was what I wanted to hear, but I wasn’t sure how he would go about achieving it…
What a magician, as he has done just that! COYI
great piece 👏🏽 i ‘m an Aussie that fell in love with West Ham by default in 1976 (because there is a team over here that my pa used to take me to see. they wore the same kit. i almost got to wear it on the field a few years ago when i started playing AGAIN – over 45’s…well over). they were winning 1-0 and the keeper was having a blinder. Mervyn Day. The Big Match with Brian Moore was the only “soccer” we had on the telly. they lost that game 6-1. i didn’t care, they were the team i was following from that point. i met and became good friends with an English bloke 6 years ago. he asked me why i loved WH so much and i told him the same story. he told me the team they were playing was Arsenal .i asked how he knew that. he said “Because i’m a Gooner and i was there. it was the first match my father ever took me to. i was 15. it was at Upton Park and when we were leaving there was only a chicken wire fence separating us from the WH fans, who were in a VERY BAD MOOD. they were threatening to kill us and making the throat-slitting gesture. i almost peed my pants”. 🤣
i’ve always been really excited when Australian players signed for the club and was devastated that Dylan Tombides never got the career his talents deserved. but was also proud as punch to see Lucas Neill wear the captain’s armband. i was hoping Aaron Mooy would come in when he went to England. played just like Nobes.
i may have to agree with you on the quality of this current side, Hugh. it is probably the most well-balanced and attractive side I’ve seen since the one that i loved from ’76-’80. but then i was only 10 in ’76. i was away from football from ’84-’92 so i never saw the ’86 side play. still watch every game live in the wee hours ⚒⚒⚒ COYI
p.s. and i also feel very much like i deserve it! 😁
Really agree with every word Hughie. Like you I started with the Irons in the 60’s and have been an avid follower and member of this ‘family’. We have a super team just now, and some great prospects coming through. Living the dream!! COYI