The Official West Ham United Thread. Vol 2

[TCEvo]

bad company said:

coldel said:

Born in 75, don't actually remember being 5 years old so I missed out

You really did miss out. It may never happen again in any of our lifetimes.

Thank you steven fking gerrard (and that argie gimp)!!!

[uk66fastback]

It's 20 years since the last final at the old Wembley.

I used to go a lot with my dad - he built me a little box to stand on for the '72 Centenary final (I was 10). About 15-20 years ago I was at a local wedding and one of the groom's relatives was Allan Clarke who was there - so I drove home to get the programme and got it signed by him ... he did score the winner after all.

I've not been to the new one - and don't really have any reason to. It's a shame they couldn't have incorporated the original twin towers in some way.

[RichB]

I kept thinking Bobby Ferguson was in goal back in '75. Showing my age!

[TCEvo]

uk66fastback said:

It's 20 years since the last final at the old Wembley.

I used to go a lot with my dad - he built me a little box to stand on for the '72 Centenary final (I was 10). About 15-20 years ago I was at a local wedding and one of the groom's relatives was Allan Clarke who was there - so I drove home to get the programme and got it signed by him ... he did score the winner after all.

I've not been to the new one - and don't really have any reason to. It's a shame they couldn't have incorporated the original twin towers in some way.

I don't mind the new design - after all WHUFC are unbeaten there!

[2172cc]

I watched the Cup Winners Cup final against Anderlecht in 76 for the first time last week on You Tube. Full match with French or Flemish commentary. Can't remember why I missed at the time but it's taken me 40 plus years to get round to watching it. I do remember though that first Admiral kit was sensational at the time and only used for the one game. It was changed slightly for following season and remains my all time favourite Hammers shirt.
https://youtu.be/c7m_t3nsOYQ

[2172cc]

uk66fastback said:

West Ham XI v Swindon ...




I'm sure you all got the final ones ... quite a few line-up changes between the 4th round and the final in '75. Did Clyde get injured? And John McDowell wore the no.9 shirt v Swindon? Presumably he still played full-back and didn't lead the front line?!

I looked up the team against Swindon as this.

[TCEvo]

2172cc said:

I watched the Cup Winners Cup final against Anderlecht in 76 for the first time last week on You Tube. Full match with French or Flemish commentary. Can't remember why I missed at the time but it's taken me 40 plus years to get round to watching it. I do remember though that first Admiral kit was sensational at the time and only used for the one game. It was changed slightly for following season and remains my all time favourite Hammers shirt.
https://youtu.be/c7m_t3nsOYQ

Anniversary of that campaigns semi-Final win vs. Eintracht today.

[2172cc]

TCEvo said:

Anniversary of that campaigns semi-Final win vs. Eintracht today.

I was at that game as a youngster in the chicken run. A magical night.

[TCEvo]

2172cc said:

TCEvo said:

Anniversary of that campaigns semi-Final win vs. Eintracht today.

I was at that game as a youngster in the chicken run. A magical night.

[Frank7]

2172cc said:

I watched the Cup Winners Cup final against Anderlecht in 76 for the first time last week on You Tube. Full match with French or Flemish commentary. Can't remember why I missed at the time but it's taken me 40 plus years to get round to watching it. I do remember though that first Admiral kit was sensational at the time and only used for the one game. It was changed slightly for following season and remains my all time favourite Hammers shirt.
https://youtu.be/c7m_t3nsOYQ

I was there with two friends, one was a Millwall fan, the other had no interest in football, but would go anywhere for the chance of a decent drink and the chance of nicking a bird, we all three were tanker drivers for the same firm.
I drove over in my VW411LE, we all had a gas at the game, with Gary the Millwall fan cheering wildly when Anderlecht got their penalty.
After the game we had a quick burger ‘n’ fries and piled into a crowded bar.
I ordered two beers, and a glass of white wine for me, as I was thinking about the drive back to Oostende.
As I put my Belgian francs on the bar, a guy in Anderlecht colours said something to the barmaid, and bought our drinks, I thanked him in English, and said that I was sorry, but I had no Flemish.
His mate said, “Parlez-vous français, peût-etre un peut ?” (Do you speak French, perhaps a little?)
Yes I could, and we were off, obviously they were overjoyed at winning, but they praised Bonds and Brooking to the heavens, we all had a great time.
All around the bar, both sets of fans were laughing and joking together, making themselves understood, it was a revelation compared to some of the violence we were used to back home.
I tried to pace myself, but eventually I had to pour my mates into the car.
Christ knows how I made it down the motorway to Oostende, my eyelids were drooping, but I’m here, so I must have made it.

[2172cc]

Frank7 said:

I was there with two friends, one was a Millwall fan, the other had no interest in football, but would go anywhere for the chance of a decent drink and the chance of nicking a bird, we all three were tanker drivers for the same firm.
I drove over in my VW411LE, we all had a gas at the game, with Gary the Millwall fan cheering wildly when Anderlecht got their penalty.
After the game we had a quick burger ‘n’ fries and piled into a crowded bar.
I ordered two beers, and a glass of white wine for me, as I was thinking about the drive back to Oostende.
As I put my Belgian francs on the bar, a guy in Anderlecht colours said something to the barmaid, and bought our drinks, I thanked him in English, and said that I was sorry, but I had no Flemish.
His mate said, “Parlez-vous français, peût-etre un peut ?” (Do you speak French, perhaps a little?)
Yes I could, and we were off, obviously they were overjoyed at winning, but they praised Bonds and Brooking to the heavens, we all had a great time.
All around the bar, both sets of fans were laughing and joking together, making themselves understood, it was a revelation compared to some of the violence we were used to back home.
I tried to pace myself, but eventually I had to pour my mates into the car.
Christ knows how I made it down the motorway to Oostende, my eyelids were drooping, but I’m here, so I must have made it.

Great story .....funny enough my dad had a VW411LE as well round about that time. Not a very reliable car as there was always something going wrong with it.

[uk66fastback]

2172cc said:

I looked up the team against Swindon as this.

That's the replay after the 1-1 at Upton Park.

[2172cc]

uk66fastback said:

That's the replay after the 1-1 at Upton Park.

I stand corrected sir... I saw January 1975 but didn't twig it was 3 days later.

[RichB]

2172cc said:

TCEvo said:

Anniversary of that campaigns semi-Final win vs. Eintracht today.

I was at that game as a youngster in the chicken run. A magical night.

Wow, was it really! I remember that night so well. The shutters on the North Bank turnstiles came down and without hesitation I ran round to the South Bank. Fortunately it was still open and I got in. I was behind the goal towards the back. I can remember jumping up and down and singing as we went 3:0 up but when Eintracht got one towards the end it was very nervous because one more and they'd win on away goals. It was the best night ever at Upton Park for me...

[Hammer67]

The 75 Cup Final is why I`m here. My first recollection of watching a live game on TV aged 7.

The 80 Cup Final was one of the best days of my young life, my 3 best friends at the time were all Gooners.

We were Div 2 at the time and nobody gave us a cat in hells chance.

Monday following the game I went to school wearing my precious WH shirt that my mum had spent all Sunday sewing a number 10 on the back that she cut out from an old bed sheet.

[bad company]

Hammer67 said:

The 75 Cup Final is why I`m here. My first recollection of watching a live game on TV aged 7.

The 80 Cup Final was one of the best days of my young life, my 3 best friends at the time were all Gooners.

We were Div 2 at the time and nobody gave us a cat in hells chance.

Monday following the game I went to school wearing my precious WH shirt that my mum had spent all Sunday sewing a number 10 on the back that she cut out from an old bed sheet.

The 1965 Cup Winners Cup Final is why I’m here. I was allowed to stay up late to watch it on tv with my parents, I was 9. A few days later I got the bus to see my Grandparents who lived in Samson Street near the ground. When I got off the bus in Green Street there were thousands of West Ham fans around. By sheer coincidence I’d arrived when the team was coming back with the trophy. I got into the ground and watched the parade, I was thrilled and completely hooked.

A few years later I watched the match again on a video. It was in black and white which I understand for the day but given that why on earth did they use a brown ball? It was hard to pick out on the video. Also one of the goals was not shown on the video as the cameraman apparently missed it.

[coldel]

I cannot remember what got me into West Ham. None of my immediate family like football, my uncle and his son who is my age are both Hammers fans (my aunt and uncle got married in a claret and blue wedding) so maybe it was that.

[AJB88]

coldel said:

I cannot remember what got me into West Ham. None of my immediate family like football

Mine's a bit strange, was born and raised in Crewe, parents not into football, Dads mum and dad were Liverpool and Man U, Mums dad was Leeds. Most of the kids at School were Man U or Liverpool as well as Crewe or the occasional Stoke or Port Vale fan.

I always wore Dr Martens as a kid and had the football sticker books, reckon mine started when West Ham got sponsored by Dr Martens.

I also grew up watching Italian Football and support Lazio (I go over there quite a bit)

So i have a few links now, I live not far from the Dr Martens factory, favourite player Paolo, 2nd favourite Dean Ashton.

Going to school near Crewe, Crewe academy used to visit the schools, I played against Deano a few times (hes older than me).

Started going matches with the Northern Hammers, now live in Bucks.

[TCEvo]

AJB88 said:

coldel said:

I cannot remember what got me into West Ham. None of my immediate family like football

Mine's a bit strange, was born and raised in Crewe, parents not into football, Dads mum and dad were Liverpool and Man U, Mums dad was Leeds. Most of the kids at School were Man U or Liverpool as well as Crewe or the occasional Stoke or Port Vale fan.

I always wore Dr Martens as a kid and had the football sticker books, reckon mine started when West Ham got sponsored by Dr Martens.

I also grew up watching Italian Football and support Lazio (I go over there quite a bit)

So i have a few links now, I live not far from the Dr Martens factory, favourite player Paolo, 2nd favourite Dean Ashton.

Going to school near Crewe, Crewe academy used to visit the schools, I played against Deano a few times (hes older than me).

Started going matches with the Northern Hammers, now live in Bucks.

That's a properly random route. Good work.

Have WH ever played Lazio (friendly or competitive)?

[anonymous-user]

Not a lot of choice really. Born West Ham backing onto the train platform. Players came once a week to our primary school and best mate was picked out by them and ultimately played for the 1st team.

Father hated football with a passion but his brother was a Hammers fanatic and took me me to my 1st game aged about 7 (the memory of being passed over the heads of the supporters and put in the front of the Chicken run is still with me many years later)