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Uncker 2:03 Sat Apr 15
50 years ago today.
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Good Friday 1967. My brother had started going to games in December 1966. His passion for West Ham enthused my father, who lived for the first 28 years of his life in Stamford Road, to go along once again to his old stamping ground. I tagged along.
It was a sunny day. We all went into the chicken run. I paid my 3/6 and for the first time pushed hard against the metal turnstile and heard the click click click of resisting heavy metal cogs. Through into the dark and then climbed a few steps into the dazzling brilliance of the day and viewed for the first time the stadium. I thought it magnificent.
The playing surface was rock hard. The only green to be seen was on the wings. Bobby Moore emerged, ball resting casually on his thigh. The crowd erupted, the excitement seemed overpowering.
We played Aston Villa that day and won 2-1 Peters and Boyce scored. The very next day I was back, Burnley were the opponents. Martin Peters and Johnny Sissons scored in a 3-2 win.
And so I was hooked, I had fallen in love a lifetimes passion. Mostly disappointments but oh those highs. Sometimes the pain is too much to bare and I resent becoming a helpless addict all those years ago. I love WHU. I need the fix even after all these years.
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Lato
11:31 Sun Apr 16
Re: 50 years ago today.
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That's why we love our club. My old man hated football. My first game was around late October 1971 against Leicester I was 9. Me and my mate had been outside the Odeon collecting penny for the guy, we amassed what seemed a fortune. So he suggested we go to the game dumped the guy in a wheelie bin and headed for the South Bank. We got separated in the mass of bodies. I remember pushing my way down to the front and got a spot to the right of the goal. I was hooked ended 1-1 I think.
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GreenStreetPlayer
10:42 Sun Apr 16
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Dad took me to my first game in 66 when I was 4, but can't remember who it was.
Was on his shoulders on the area where the west enclosure met the north bank. My elder brothers would have been in the "cage" just above us.
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Uncker
9:08 Sun Apr 16
Re: 50 years ago today.
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I forgot to add in my original post that there were a further five home games that season. We lost 4 including a 1-6 defeat by Manchester United. A team that included Alex Stepney , Nobby Stiles, Bobby Charlton , George Best and Dennis Law.
The following season we strengthened our defence with John Cushley at centre half and Bobby Ferguson in goal. Ron Greenwood could have signed Gordon Banks but already had a gentleman's agreement to sign Bobby Ferguson!
Mind you the other signing was a William Bonds from Charlton for £50,000.
I remember now why I continued to support them.
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fred flinstone
3:29 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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I miss Saturday 3pm kick offs for EVERYONE
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Pop Robson
11:07 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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I miss the old Easter schedule
3 games Fri, Sat & Mon and one of those would be an 11am Kick Off !!
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SurfaceAgentX2Zero
8:50 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Chigwell 6:32 Sat Apr 15
My first game was the very next match. Big bruv took me - he was 10, so that was cool with Mum and Dad. South Bank, Hurst hat-trick, 3-3 draw at home to third division Swindon in the FA Cup. Lost the replay 3-1. Strangely enough, I didn't travel.
Typical fucking West Ham.
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HairyHammer
8:44 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Sounds a bit like a jail sentence being a Hammer, not easy at all but as you said Uncker the high's though few have been very sweet, if you are old enough to have actually experienced them.
Although beating Tottenham at the new gaff would make up slightly for a shit season.
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BubblesCyprus
8:32 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Same as OP season,location in the ground at home to Newcastle game.DNA sorted.
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Chigwell
6:32 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Very similar story to yours: Dad took me to Upton Park on 27/12/66. 4-0 to us, scorers Moore, Peters, Hurst and Byrne: all England internationals and 3 WC winners. It's a nice memory even though I have long accepted that it will never be replicated.
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Crassus
2:16 Sat Apr 15
Re: 50 years ago today.
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Nice anecdote there mate
Time flies doesn't it, mine not your 50 years but blimey it rattles on
The one constant is the underachievement - our Dad, bless him, said when we were getting excited to calm down, they are a team of heart breakers, always were and always will be, not wrong there Pops and thankfully you never saw the debacle of the move
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