Emdad Rahman
With seven boisterous young lads in tandem we excitedly made our way down to feast on the delights offered at the academy of football.
To give the boys a taster I had taken the boys for a pre mini tour and snaps at the figure of Bobby Moore on the Barking Road, holding aloft the World Cup on the shoulders of Ray Wilson and Martin Peters.
West Ham United Football club was formed in 1895 as Thames Ironworks. The name was changed to West Ham United in 1900 and in 1904 the club moved to their current abode on Green Street. The Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park has been the home of West Ham United. Legend has it that Green Street House was known as Boleyn Castle because of an association with Anne Boleyn. Some say that one of Anne Boleyn’s maids still haunts the Boleyn Ground.
The famous stadium has showcased some of the greatest footballing giants ever, namely the World Cup winning trio of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Sir Geoff Hurst.
From our vantage point within the stadium we took in the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, previously known as the Centenary Stand. Opposite to this is the Bobby Moore Stand, named after England’s only World Cup winning captain, and the Hammers greatest ever player. There were excursions into the Directors area, physio room and even a glimpse of the hotel bedrooms on offer for overnight business or leisure stays.
The tour itself was excellent and is led by John Helliar, a local historian who possesses a wealth of knowledge. Heliar has undertaken various roles at the club over the years including programme editor and is an authority on all things West Ham.
We were very impressed with the 90 minute walkabout. There was no clamour for us to push on and we were given plenty of time to take pictures and survey each area of the stadium for ourselves. John Heliar was on hand to offer historical sound bites at every stop as the group were given VIP access to restricted areas such as the main stand, press room, interview corner, dressing rooms, pitch side, dugouts and tunnel.
West Ham United is a traditional club oozing character and proud history. The recent relegation is a great loss to the Premier League and football fans hope that a quick promotion is just round the corner as the Happy Hammers once more take their rightful place amongst the games elite.
Be sure to get in a tour of this deeply historical stadium before the Hammers relocate top the Olympic Stadium. My youngest is a Hammer and I’m pleased that he’ll look back on this tour with great pride in the future.
Legends at the Boleyn
The Boleyn Ground will host a special charity football match featuring some familiar faces next Monday.
Football events company Football For Fans have organised a special match at the Boleyn Ground on Monday 6 June - kick-off 7.30pm - which will see a star-studded Hammers line-up take on a team that will represent Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity.
The ex-Hammers squad includes Allen McKnight, Kenny Brown, Nigel Winterburn, Keith Rowland, Steve Potts (pictured), Ian Pearce, Mark Ward, Julian Dicks, Steve Lomas, Kevin Keen, Mark Robson, Paul Allen, Geoff Pike, Don Hutchison and Stuart Slater and be managed by Tony Cottee.
Pics: Copyright: Emdad Rahman
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