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Dagenhammer 7:06 Wed Mar 27
Upton Park - before Bubbles

One for the older generation, of which I am one with a memory like a sieve.

Just heard this and it brought back memories of the days before the Hammerettes and Bubbles being played on the tannoy.

It was this song by Whistling Jack Smith. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39dJptQV_Jc&t=6s

I cannot remember what time it was played, but played it was at every home game for years. I think that it was possibly played as the ground emptied, but might be wrong.

Needless to say it sparked some wonderful memories of the old place.

Admiral Lard 1:40 Fri Mar 29
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

My first home game, aged 13 was West Ham Vs Boro 2nd November 1974.
Stood on the North Bank at the front wall as not the tallest.

If memory serves Whistling Jack Smith was up when the gates opened followed by the Sally Army band for half an hour or so then BIll Remfry took over.

Do you guys remember the funny and somewhat dangerous looking pod hanging off the front of the upper tier of the West Side? Bill had to pour himself into it, one slip and the West Side terrace below would have made an unwelcome landing.

Going in 2 x 2 on the busy games, everyone a winner as mentioned by another poster.

Dagenhammer 3:02 Thu Mar 28
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Cheers Well Hammered and Lato.

I used to aim to get on or just above the high step in the North Bank. I think it was about 1/3 to half way up and at its highest on the Priory Road side of the ground.

Also remember the squeezing in through the turnstiles to get in at reduced price. I cant remember the first time, but from then on it was always as you went in the turnstile operator would say something like 'You two together?'. A quiet nod and hey presto reduced entry. Funny to think that with entry prices to the North Bank at the time of 15p for boys and 30p for adults, so paying 50p for 2 was a win win for all.

I always wonder what the actual attendance was in 1970 for the Spurs game with the record attendance of 42,322. The place was rammed so must have been closer to 45,000.

PostmanPissed 10:20 Thu Mar 28
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Chairman Alf 8:30 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles
Bill Remfrey:

“It’s a BUBBLES TIME!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy0-9J_D_5I

Manuel 4:05 Thu Mar 28
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Lato - Absolutely, great days. 1.30 the gates opened.

Hammer Oz 3:55 Thu Mar 28
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Used to love 'Slade, Merry Xmas' being played

WELL HAMMERED AGAIN 12:29 Thu Mar 28
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Dagenhammer

This was indeed played at each game but it was played to signify that the last turnstyle was opened in the ground, I heard it on a tour of the ground many moons ago., not sure why tho, Maybe it was a Mr Moon is in the stadium type thing :-)

BBondsBootlaces 11:49 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

When did we stop clapping the opposing teams Goalkeeper?

Lato 8:36 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

I think Whistling Jack was always the first thing he played as the turnstiles were opened. I always remember the mad rush to get through the turnstiles and secure a good spot down the front and get as close to the goal as possible on the North or South Bank.

Oh Happy Days!

Chairman Alf 8:30 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Bill Remfrey:

“It’s a BUBBLES TIME!”

only1billybonds 8:27 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

For some reason, the song ' Jasemine' always reminds of of Bill Remfry and his pre match music. Christ, the match day experience couldn't be any more different than what it is today.

Chairman Alf 8:23 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Dagenhammer 8:07 Wed Mar 27

I remember all of those, plus the National Shinguard version of Bubbles being played before matches.

The Salvation Army band used to play the same repertoire every match in the early to mid 70’s, including a medley featuring Jesus Christ Superstar.

Percy Dalton 8:14 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

One of my earliest memories was Paddy collecting the balls after the warm up before kick off.
Johnny Byrne would always miss hit the ball so that the poor old sod had to chase after it and that would delay the kick off.

Dagenhammer 8:07 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Blimey, Bill Remfry a name from the past, as were the Salvation Army band.

Some of the memories triggered include, in no particular order

- Percy Daltons Peanuts
- The half term scores going up on the Alphabet boards at each end of the stadium
- Getting home and hoping to get a copy of the latest edition of the Evening Standard or News as they might have the final scores of the Saturday games on them. The only chance of working out whether we had gone up or down in the table before Match of the Day or the Sunday papers.
- The crows nest in the North Bank before it was closed and the 'Remember Ibrox' signs
- Waiting until the final whistle and doing the sprint to Upton Park station before the police diverted people up Queens Road or walking to East Ham station to avoid the queues at Upton Park station

Wonderful memories all thanks to Whistling Jack Smith.

Lee Trundle 7:41 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

When did we stop playing the post horn gallop as the team came out at the Boleyn?

Other than the Ipswish play off semi-final.

Far Cough 7:23 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Bill Remfry*

Far Cough 7:23 Wed Mar 27
Re: Upton Park - before Bubbles

Yep, I remember it, Bill Remfy the DJ played it and the Salvation Army band would play some of their music.