Sir Geoff Hurst may be one of the most celebrated figures in West Ham’s history but he has vivid memories of painting the Boleyn Ground and rolling the Upton Park pitch.
Hursty – in an Daily Mirror story – explained: “I was involved for a long time as me as a player. I painted the stands, rolled the pitch and played a few games.
“My most cherished memory was drinking at the Black Lion pub after the game. We didn’t need any encouragement after a game to have a drink. Like any players in those days.
“You couldn’t see players today going to the Black Lion and having a drink today. Or any players these days going to the pub. The relationship between the players and the fans has changed dramatically, like everything else in football.
“Before my time players used to walk to the ground with the fans.
“The only thing the same today is the goalposts, probably. West Ham is a working man’s club. It’s a working man’s game.
Hurst, 74, was at Upton Park for 13 years and scored an incredible 242 goals for the Hammers.
“The only regret I had was not seeing my time out with the club,” he added.
“I would like to have done that. I was very lucky to play with some great players like Bobby Moore.”
“From a team perspective, winning the FA Cup and the European Cup Winners Cup were outstanding.
“But for me, personally, if you had to pick something, I would say scoring six in one match against Sunderland. On a personal basis that was probably a highlight.”