By Hugh Southon
There was a time when perhaps the return of a new season – given it was at the London Stadium – would have filled many with despair.
But despite my greatest football memories being buried at the Boleyn there was an excitement in my step as I approached the LS for my first game of the season last weekend.
That’s what results do despite the fact that viewing will never be as easy as it was at Upton Park – quite probably the most unique ground in European football.
The sea change from life at the Boleyn was immense and intolerable for many and the emotions involved are very easy to understand.
But results mean everything and it was those that were missing which may have caused – in part anyway – a huge reaction against a stadium which felt as alien as it gets in the early days anyway.
But as has been the case on other occasions, the place was absolutely rocking as we demolished the Canaries and the foot stamping “chorus” was incredible.
I know there are many who will never accept it but I get the feeling that the LS has become home perhaps more quickly than many would have believed.
If that’s the case much of that is down to Pellegrini and the brand of football the team is producing.
The Boleyn can never be forgotten but we move on and the London Stadium is a pretty good place to be when the team is on the case.
Look forward to getting your views (and no doubt insults 🙂 )
Results are everything as you suggest, as we had the best home record last season outside of the top six. Keep that up and happy days????
I like the London Stadium primarily because of the Javelin rail link which makes my journey so much easier than traveling to Upton Park tube station.
Having only ever sat/stood in the lower bowl of the LS, I have enjoyed magnificent site lines and unrestricted views of the matches attended.
Downside, the walk up to the stadium doesn’t have the sights, sounds and smells of a day at the footy. It reminds me of a cup final venue.
Agree Hugh it was great – does feel better at LS. Also spare a thought for the 25,000 new season ticket holders who couldn’t get in at the Boleyn. Hopefully win-win.
Myself and my son are life long Irons fans and we be been season ticket holders for the last 12 years. We both loved the Boleyn but it was never quite as good once all the standing areas became seated. I have stood in the North Bank, South Bank, West Side and the Chicken Run, I cannot sit down to watch lWest Ham live, it just isn’t the same sitting down. At the Boleyn we were in the Trevor Brooking Lower just to the right of the goal near the front, the view was terrible, my son who is quite short, could not see either goal clearly and missed half of the action. The atmosphere was great at times but awful at others just like all other clubs, if the football is good the atmosphere is good. My son and I think the London Stadium is brilliant, we love the transport links to the stadium, we have a lovely meal in Westfield before the match or watch the early game in one of the nice pubs or casino. The walk to the stadium is quite long but through a nice park not up grotty Green Street or Barking Road and if you choose the right route back to the station there are no queues and you walk straight onto the first train. Our new view of the match is fantastic, and in our block everyone stands and sings, just like Upton Park. The only thing that has been missing is a team spirit and a group of players who really wanted to play for this club, but now it appears we ve got that as well. If we want to compete at the top level you have to have a top level stadium and a top level team, we ve got that top stadium now here’s hoping we will soon have that top level team,
from the juve friendly i have not missed a home game, yes it has been tough at times but some of the football played by allardyce & moyes was so poor compared to what we were seeing from other prem teams (especially in transistion from defence to attack, i could get myself a cup of tea & we would still be “transistioning) was a major contributory factor to the general unrest BUT their were signs early doors how good the atmosphere could be IF WE WERE GIVING IT A REAL GO on the pitch, chelsea in the cup (forget the handbags in the crowd), palace at home just after payet had gone, wba at home & carrols 2 goals (twist & shout), spurs (always), we did have our moments , though a bit few & far between. then along came mr pellegrini & we started to look more sharper , more like the WHU we believe we are & now this season, 7 points by end of august (thats more than the last 2 seasons combined) & here we go, so lets keep producing on the pitch , in the stands & lets have the last laugh on all the slaggers off who have had a field day the last 3 years. i think the owners pulled off the deal of the century (though it may turn out to be as bent as a nine bob note) & i think that within the next 5 years we will own the stadium, it makes massive sense to the tax payers who are funding it & to us, the club who are the only sensible choice to buy it. on a personal note my main displeasure at the ground is the standards of customer service & stewarding , none of which (i believe) is governed / controlled by WHU but by the “company” that run it & once we (hopefully) by the place then i expect that to change dramatically. one last thing , the skipper has been a real leader over the last 3 years in helping with the transistion both on & off the pitch & my respect for him as a player & a WHU man has grown enormously. COYI
It’s taken a bit of time but as a club and supporters we are imho growing into the Stadium it like our brand of football is an expansive space, which has required an adaptation but we are gradually doing that, hopefully our star will continue to rise COYI!!!
Agree Hugh time is a healer and we must move on too become what we all want is success ⚒⚒⚒😊🤙🏾
LS is home now and along with 55-60k attendances, contributes towards better players wanting to sign for us…. lets not forget the Boleyn but ffs we should stop pining for it and harping on about it, it weren’t as bleeding perfect as some seem to remember.
It is getting like home, I’ve always felt that we had to move to progress. I have supported WHU 60 + years, season ticket holder for most of that time.
I was a generation in front of those who can’t get on with the LS – I couldn’t adapt to not being able to stand on the North Bank, so it’s 25 years since I went to a first team game – against Southampton in May 1994. I’ve got the certificate to prove it. I’ve been on a (free) LS tour, but I’d never be able to get to a game now due to age and infirmity (unless I could beam from home to my seat), but you can take the boy … blah blah blah. Still, they’re not doing too bad without me at the moment.
Although i agree that UP wasn’t always buzzing, one thing it did have was true hammers fans in it. i am a season ticket holder at the LS and was a season holder at UP, the main difference from my personal view is the extra 20 thousand are mainly tourists which contribute to the soulless bowls atmosphere. i’m in Dagenham and it takes me a lot longer to get to and from Stratford than it ever did to UP. I fully enjoyed the game against Norwich the 90 mins were my match day experience, before and after is just unmentionable. No traditional pubs, no pre match atmosphere what so ever, good luck to those who like the bowl, i endure it for my son. For once i agree with the away fans,”We are not West Ham Any More. imho…
It still doesn’t feel like home. A good start to the season won’t change my feelings on the place.
It’s still not home for me. Id rather be honest. It doesn’t have the feel of a proper day out going to football and doesn’t feel like West Ham as before. Starting the season well doesn’t change my feelings on the Olympic stadium.