By CandH’s Allen Cummings

Oh what a night!

On Wednesday evening I was lucky enough to be present at the West Ham United Player Awards, A wonderful evening culminating in the award of Player of the Year to Lukasz Fabianski and Young Player of the Year to Declan Rice. Both very worthy winners.

But for me as a ‘mature’ supporter of considerable years, the highlight of the evening was the opportunity to engage and reminisce with some of those I regard as the true ‘legends’ of the club. Few modern day footballers stick around long enough to be recognised in that category.

But the likes of Sir Geoff Hurst, Ken Brown, Ray Stewart, Brian Dear and Ronnie Boyce, all of whom were present, are without doubt true living legends of my football club.

‘Brownie’ at the age of 85, is still one of the nicest human beings you could ever wish to meet, the wonderful smile that never seemed to leave his face, on or off the pitch, was still there in all its glory.

 Sir Geoff Hurst looks fantastic, fit enough to suggest he could still strike a ball as ferociously with either foot as he always did,although as the owner of two new hips, he insists that’s probably not the case now.

And talking of ferocious strikers of the ball, Raymond Struan McDonald Stewart – or ‘Tonka’ as we all fondly knew him – looks in fine fettle, too. With that broad Scottish accent, he was happy to reveal the secret of his amazing penalty successes – 76 goals from 86 attempts – “I just hit that ball with everything I had,” he said. Who can argue with that ?

But the man of the evening for me was the legend that is Ronnie Boyce, the heartbeat of our great side of the 60’s, who was there to receive his Lifetime Achievement Award, recognition many, myself included, thought long overdue.

Never one for the limelight, ‘Ticker’ told me he was terrified at the thought of having to make an acceptance speech. but he was more than happy to recall that rain-sodden day at Hillsborough when his two goals helped take us past Manchester United to Wembley – and that perfectly timed header in the 90th minute against Preston to secure our first ever F.A. Cup Final victory.

In the event, when Boycie did get the call to go up on stage he was brilliant! He did what he always did on the pitch – got on with the job without any fuss, said his thanks to the club, recalled the good times he shared with his team mates and voiced his hopes for the future. He deserved every second of the two minute ovation he received in response.

West Ham have provided me with some wonderful nights over the years. Wednesday was right up there with the best of them!