Just a dumb question for the Yanks

[Footstomper]

I started supprting West Ham coz it was in the blood and the water I drank. Probably lterally. In Ilford, at my school, you were either West Ham or Spurs, it was basically a religious divide: I dont think I need to explain .
I became a west ham supporter in the summer of 66 at the age of 5. Not coincidentally the summer we got our first TV; you can work out why.

So how come you Yanks became Hammers?

[Frieslander]

I was 17 and the 94 World Cup was going on and something about the game and the fans grabbed me. One of my best friends at the time also became interested in soccer and he was a pakistani kid who had been born in the East End before moving to New Jersey at a young age. He said, "I'll ask my parents what team they supported in England." They of course said, "West Ham."

Shortly thereafter I got some internet access and started folllowing the team vicariously thru a West Ham email list set up by North Bank Norman.

so the 94-95 season was my first. Dicks, Cottee, Moncur, Ludo, Dowie, etc. good stuff. ;)

[pething101]

In the late 90's, I became friends with a fellow, Andy Wheeler, who worked at the golf course I worked at. He did landscaping (and his Aussie wife was a teacher) but mostly they just traveled and explored the world. Anyway, during his 2 year stay in Fayetteville, he discovered I loved soccer but did not know much about English teams. So, we would go out and drink massive amounts of beer and he indoctrinated me into West Ham. He was born and raised in East London so he gave me a good bit of the history and background, Bobby Moore and 1966, etc. So, I watched them a few times on FSC. Loved the supporters and the passion from DiCanio. Kind of evolved from there. My first year, we finished 7th, then we got relegated the next. It has been a roller coaster of a ride.

[West Ham Fan]

Its not a dumb question, its a fair one!

I'm a newbie, always been a big football fan, but never knew of/had Fox Sports World/Fox Soccer Channel. Once I discovered it and realized there are more options than watching Man U(re) on the YES Network delayed, I caught West Ham a lot during the 05/06 season. With their form, FA Cup Run, and home support it was too hard not to support them.

So while I look like a bandwagoner now, in 25+ years I'll be alright!

[PSURoss]

In 97 I was visiting friends. A friend took me to the Chelsea game and we beat the blues and cry baby Zola with an injury time winner. We stood in the Booby Moore stand for the whole game. I still have the 2p piece that hit me in the head when the Booby Moore stand erupted after 2 jag offs started cheering when Chelsea opened the scoring in the first half. I remember Julian Dicks roofing a PK, right at us.

After an experience like that, how could I not be a fan for life?

[Chadwell]

Its not a dumb question, its a fair one!As Chris Berman of ESPN fame once said:

"There's no such thing as a stupid question, just stupid people that ask questions."

When I was 15 my team travelled to London to play some local clubs and see the sights. We went to a Arsenal-Liverpool match at Highbury, but the highlight of the trip for me was one morning we spent at Chadwell Heath meeting the West Ham players and kicking the ball around with them. I've been a Hammers fan since.

I don't want to take this tread off on a tangent, but, the local club that hosted our team was Threes United in Hainault. Does anyone know if they're still around?

[TheMobyDick]

I don't want to take this tread off on a tangent, but, the local club that hosted our team was Threes United in Hainault. Does anyone know if they're still around?[/QUOTE]


I used to go up to Hainault quite a bit and never heard of them,did they play in a Sunday league.

[norwaytips]

Now I know that I'm not a yank, but a Hammer.....Yes I am.

I never started being a fan, I was born one.

My great grandfather, a Scottish nobleman's son, got the kitchen maid pregnant and wanted to Marry her. 'No way' said his Dad. 'Marry her and you never set foot inside my door again' Stone broke, and with no income, he married the girl and they walked from Stirling to London.

He started work at a place called The Thames Iron Works in 1895. They discovered that he was a good footballer and he started playing for the works team. He was paid at overtime rates for his services. In 1900 the name was changed to West Ham United and they moved to a new ground. He never played again, but remained a fan.

My grandfather played senior football for Clapton, who in 1923, beat the FA cup holders, Bury Town, 6-3. They also won the amateur cup and were the last non league side to have a player selected for England. Clapton play just few hundred away from the Boleyn. He was also an avid fan.

My Dad followed him as a Hammers supporter and was a regular, along with his brother, in the old 'chicken run' stand. That's the place where 'Bubbles' started. Myself and my two brothers, all went to school in the shadows of Upton Park and were brought up Hammers and I now have 6 grandchildren that follow the results and cheer for just one team.

I saw all the great victories in the 60's, including the world cup final, so you see............It's in the blood. I never chose West Ham, it chose me and it's been an honour.:D