(Photo by AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)
David Martin was last season’s unexpected Hammers success stories in the most desperate circumstances rescuing us from probably the most inept keeper ever to wear the Irons sweater.
Roberto! The mere name sends shivers down the spine but after Martin was called in with Lukasz Fabianski still injured, things finally looked better.
After the Spaniard shipped 16 goals in eight Premier League games David took over for the clashes against Chelsea, Wolves, Arsenal, Southampton and Sheffield United.
That saw us win two games of the fi ve with the son of legend Alvin Martin conceding just seven goals as a mini revival appeared to beckon before Darren Randolph returned as the regular No 2.
He’s now firmly established as part of the squad and is clearly one of those rare breeds who is a fan first and a player second.
He has been discussing his love of the Hammers at https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2020/august/22-august/david-martin-its-privilege-be-both-west-ham-player-and-fan where he said: “It was just an amazing thing to be a part of last season, and then the pandemic is something nobody’s ever experienced in football.
“It’s a bit different for me because I’ve obviously grown up around West Ham. I’ve grown up looking onto the field. Last season, I was privileged enough to have a point of view looking outwards from the field, and it does actually make you realise how much West Ham supporters matter to the players.
“They drive the team on. West Ham are nothing without our fanbase. I know I’m biased, but I’d definitely say it’s one of the best fanbases in the world, and it was a privilege to be a part of that and see both sides of it. Hopefully we’ll get them all back in the Stadium soon.”
“I always tried my best in the Stadium to sing as loud as I could, singing ‘Bubbles’!” he revealed. “Obviously when Yarmo scored that winning goal against Chelsea, I nearly ripped my voicebox screaming!
“You can feel it. You’ve got the social media side, but even just driving around town and seeing that all the West Ham shirts were still out – people are wanting the team to do so well, you really can feel it here.”
Martin look back at the anniversary of the passing of his first goalkeeping mentor, Les Sealey and he added: “Les gave me my start almost.
“He gave me the opportunity to come in and train with him for four to six months. I owe everything to Les.
“He was a larger-than-life character, loved his cigars and his little whisky, but as a coach he told it how it was. For a 14-year-old at the time it was a bit of a shock to the system, but I think he’s made me the character I am as a goalkeeper today. I owe a lot to Les.”