By top CandHugh blogger
Rich Sprent
Two debuts occurred on Sept 29, 1979 when Paul Allen played his first game for the Irons in a 1-1 draw against Southend United and I made my first visit to the Boleyn Ground.
I’m a Plaistow boy and can still remember the roar of the North Bank carrying over the streets and gardens from Upton Park to our little garden. I’d rush in to try and beat the vidiprinter telling my dad that we’d scored.
This night I was there to hear it first hand. We scored on the stroke of half time with a David Cross header. I missed the goal as I was swifted from my Upper West seat and down into the depths of the Boleyn Ground.
I heard the roar echo around the corridors under the stand. Someone said outside the changing rooms, ‘Psycho, far post header’.
The teams trudged off and I emerged to walk up the tunnel and onto the pitch alongside my mum. She’d won on the Hammers lottery and there I was, a seven year old in the centre circle at half time looking around at the 19000 in attendance. She was given one of those oversized cheques and that was that.
We returned to our seats for the second half. Southend scored from 30 yards to take it to a replay. I asked why everyone was clapping their goal. ‘That’s good sportsmanship’ she said. A lesson learned.
I think I was allowed to go back again in April. A 2-0 win over Orient. I saw both goals. Brooking and an own goal say the books but I remember Sir Trev getting both?! We stood in the lower west at the North Bank end.
My brother’s father in law, a lovely old boy and an Evertonian, was there. He had a bag of fruit that he shared with me. He ate apple after apple so that he didn’t speak. He was worried about his Scouse accent being overheard.
The memories go on and on. Silly little things that still make me smile.
Mum couldn’t help shouting out at one of our players, Neil Orr. He put in a shift but she waited til he’d make an error and call out in her Custom ‘ouse accent, ‘You silly Orr!’
She’d always give the same match report, ‘They had a great goalie and the ref was awful’. She reserved a particular dislike for one ref, Clive Thomas. Need I say more?
As the years went on I tried the North Bank and had some fun. I never enjoyed the South Bank view. I finally found my own place in paradise in the Chicken Run. I routinely stood halfway along and halfway up towards the South bank.
They’d be three old boys always in front of me with a bag of pennies each. They’d bet on every corner and free kick – ‘Wall’ said one, ‘keeper’, another. ‘Salters’ the third would say indicating the pram shop on Barking Road. The pennies would change hands and they’d have a chuckle.
I never saw Bobby Moore play live. I’ll never forget the tributes at the ground when he died.
I’ve been asked why I support West Ham. I find it an odd question. I was born within a mile of the Boleyn Ground. They’re my team. Despite never seeing Bobby play, I understood that he was a part of my heritage. I was gutted.
My dear old mum took me to my first game. She started it all. I wish she was still around so that I could take her to the last game at the Boleyn Ground. We’d cheer on Trev floating over the mud. Bonzo kicking lumps out of someone. Parkesy saving unstoppable shots. Devo, her favourite, skipping past clogger defenders. And they’d be Psycho to slot home.
The wake will be before the kick off tonight. I’m hoping we all remember to enjoy the 90 minutes before the referee blows that whistle on the Old Lady for the last time.
Thanks mum. Best present a son could have had X
A great piece, Rich. Evokes memories of when my Dad took me to my first game, at the age of nine in 1956 (a short walk from Custom House) and the subsequent trips to take my late wife, both my children and my grandaughter for their first of many games. Remember also vividly being at SWHTS in the Barking Road and going over to Heliars (which was nearly opposite) when they were printing match day programmes especially those in our first season in the old first division. Remember Wolves and Man U right at the start of that season.
Looking forward to going to OS though as the transport should be so much easier!
Nice Rich,very touching.Me old mum used to go with me when I was a kid,Me dad passed when I was a tot so she took it on herself to introduce me to my second love after my bit on the side. I mean my wife.Only because she is next to me right now,I always preferred me bit on the side really,great pair of knockers.Me old mum was a a noisy bird,used to scream down the north bank,taught me words most the older buggers in the Stand had never heard.Mouth like the Blackwall Tunnel at matches then back to being a timid mouse for the rest of the week gawd bless her.Happy times.