Rob Robinson – a passionate Hammer whose father Bill was assistant manager at the club – has been addressing the thorny issue of the new stadium. Rob has been a CandH supporter since we arrived on the scne three years ago and are glad to have the opportunity of presenting his answer to the qustion: “Will the London Stadium ever feel like home?”
We all know moving home is a traumatic experience. West Ham United’s move from the Upton Park/Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium is no different. It takes time to settle – to feel at home. I wonder if The London Stadium will ever feel like home for me and the many loyal fans who have supported the club over the years at Upton Park.
I have been extremely privileged to watch football at Upton Park/The Boleyn for over 65 years as my father, Bill Robinson, played and coached for the club between 1948-1960. It will always be my spiritual home for my beloved team. At this point in time the same cannot be said of our new “rented” home after seeing four games so far including one game under the lights.
The apprehension and thrill that I felt before matches at Upton Park started on a Friday and built steadily till kick off time. I always woke early Saturday mornings, excited about watching my beloved Hammers strut out to the strains of the brass band playing the Post Horn Gallup before each game at Upton Park.
So for me the Olympic Stadium, now London Stadium and maybe even Tesco Stadium, doesn’t, and cannot have that same raw emotion, as going to see my OWN team play at their OWN ground with all the unique Green Street/Barking Road atmosphere, fans’ banter, smell of the pubs, pie’n’mash shops, cafes etc which made match day experiences so special.
The Saturday match day ritual began around 12.30pm when my mum, who took me to all the home games, began with a journey from our house at Welling in Kent, by getting a No 696 trolley bus to the Woolwich Ferry. We then either took the ferry or walked through the tunnel under the Thames to get to the No 101 bus which took us to East Ham Town Hall. We then walked along the Barking Road to the ground soaking up the atmosphere with the excitement and expectations building all the time.
My memories with West Ham United began as a boy of 6-7 years of age. After my Dad’s playing career was cut short by injury, he then became coach and later Assistant Manager. So began my love affair with West Ham United. I was privileged to watch some of my heroes training on the pitch as a special treat with Dad.
One particular day Noel Cantwell tried to teach me how to take penalties, and Ernie Gregory even gave me a pair of his yellow string goalkeeping gloves which I didn’t take off even in bed until my Mum decided otherwise!!!!
One of my happiest memories of the many special nights under the lights at Upton Park was the debut of a certain Bobby Moore and the visit of the famous Manchester United. We came out with a 3-2 victory that night in the old First Division clash following our promotion from Division 2 the previous season. Spookily the last ever match at our famous ground under the lights. Once again the visitors were Manchester United. And again we managed to win 3-2!!! What an unbelievably magnificent send off for the famous old ground that has been a big part of my life for over 65 years.
My Dad left the club in 1960-61 and as a family we returned to his native North East where he was appointed Manager of Hartlepool United.
Although the London years were over we still followed the Hammers whenever we could and as well as seeing all our games in the North East and odd visits to Upton Park we were very fortunate enough to see some incredible games including our three FA Cup wins in 1964, 1975 and 1980. with the Cup Winners Cup sandwiched in between in 1965. The lights also gave us a stunning win in the ECWC semi-final beating Real Zaragoza 2-1 to go through to the memorable final which culminated in a 2-0 win against TSV 1860 at Wembley.
I returned to London in 1968 for a career move which allowed me to see the Hammers regularly from Ealing where I lived at the time. The same buzz I had all those years ago returned. Saturday became a day of huge excitement again, including possibly one of the most memorable games ever seen on our hallowed turf, the 8-0 thrashing of Sunderland, including a double hat-trick from Geoff Hurst.
In 1980 I moved to Yorkshire with my family for business reasons. This again curtailed my visits to Upton Park. But having recently retired I was able to renew my season ticket three years ago and even though it was a 380 mile round trip. Saturdays started buzzing again, in fact, it felt as though I had never been away and I was lucky enough to meet some fantastic lifelong Hammers fans with whom who I now have a great banter.
Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the new stadium. We have sold our soul and identity. We are now not West Ham United Football Club but a brand, according to the owners, a commercial vehicle supposed to make us a top four club and European giants.
But a worrying statistic for me I am afraid is that when we were playing at Upton Park there would be approximately 95% of fiercely passionate fans in the 35,000 capacity crowd unlike the new stadium, as due to the owners desperation to fill the stadium, season tickets seem to be have been sold anyone who applied.
That being the case I doubt that there will be no more than 65-70% of diehard fans in the 57,000 seater stadium. Weekend rail breaks that include match day tickets also seem to be available. Another issue annoying real fans.
The issue as to and when will the new stadium feel like home is difficult to predict. Upton Park had 104 years of history and memories. So our new home will have to build its own history however long it may take. But I, along with many long standing West Ham United fans, are not getting the same passionate matchday experience we had at our historical Green Street ground.
To be totally honest I am not sure if I will be renewing my season ticket for next season yet due to our move. I have a lot of soul searching to do but in the meantime I will be there this season cheering the boys on and hope they are soon climbing the table.
Some sceptical fans may say my decision is due to the team’s poor performances on the pitch. OK. Well I have seen us beaten 8-2 by Blackburn at home plus numerous other poor performances, relegations and a “bond” scheme. But I have always been a West Ham United fan and will remain so. But we are not that club anymore. According to the owners we are a brand playing in a rented stadium. How can we call that home?
