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Lato 6:40 Fri Jul 2
What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Mine is that tune Bill Remfrey played first without fail first at every home game. Kaiser Bill's-Whistling Jack Smith.

Apologies if done before!

, 6:47 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Getting lifted over a chicken run turnstile by my father. Being ushered to the front by a crowd, of dockers, the marching band, being given a bag of roasted peanuts ( in their shells ), the old main stand opposite looking massive. And I think we played Barnsley.

martinbritt_63 6:47 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Being taken by my old man, into the dressing rooms to meet an old mate of his - Len Gaynor - who came from the same mining village as him. Len was playing for Aldershot against the Irons in a round of the Southern Floodlit Cup.
Date probably 1954/5 - a bloody long time ago, anyway.

My Dad passed away last year aged 94, another old Iron gone - I miss him.

goose 6:51 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

1987

The tiny portacabin and getting my first ever kit.

WHU(Exeter) 7:10 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

First game going, first things I remember was the bustle going up the steps at the tube even though we got there a good two and a half hours before kick-off, The Buzzcocks & Only Ones(?) graffiti on the wall outside, wandering round the market, Queens pub, atmosphere inside going up a notch when the away teams fans were expected to start coming through, the hardly being able to see a thing in the North Bank.

It was just brilliant travelling up with a few others at that age, 17, 18.

Hallerinthemorning 7:14 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

The smell of Green Street. Even way back then. Matchday smelt of something. Loved it.

WHU(Exeter) 7:16 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Hot dogs, onions and police horse shit occasionally.

chim chim cha boo 7:19 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Most of my family were Orient and my (perfect) cousin knew all the players.

It used to wind me up that my old man seemed to like him more than me (admittedly because I was a little cunt) but he took me to Orient to see them play Fulham who two pretty good footballers played for.

Before the game one of their defenders walked around the pitch shaking hands with the crowd and they were all cheering him as he had a shiny cup that he kept holding up. He looked like a nice man so I thought I would keep an eye on him during the game.

The other good player they do had was a little, long haired hairy show pony with big buggers grips. I didn't really take to him.

Fulham smashed the Os 6-1 that day and it was the only time I ever saw Bobby Moore play. It was actually the last time ANYONE saw him play in England. Georgie Best was pretty good too.

'If you're going to support West Ham you can fucking go on your own son'.

'Cheers dad, can I have 50p and my bus fare?'

Years later the silly old bugger sat in the West stand with me until he found the stairs too much.

It's shit like that they tore down with the old stadium.

Steady 7:38 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Jan 21st 1984, the smell of the food stalls, the shiny programme, my new West Ham flat cap and scarf (even the portacabin club shop) seemed impressive to an 8 year old, the atmosphere, the whole day topped off with a 1-0 win is something I’ll never forget

the coming of gary 7:38 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

the record books say the 6 - 1 was played at Fulham, not Orient
.

RM10 7:38 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Standing at the market watching the fights after the match!

Steady 7:39 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

And it’s always been Upton Park to me not the Boleyn Ground

Lato 7:48 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

It was always Upton Park to me even though it had an E13 Post Code (Plaistow) and was actually in East Ham.

Boleyn Ground was more for the younger generation I think!

Manuel 7:49 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

First memory? Not even sure what that means. I went to my first match, came out of the tube station turned right walked down Green Street to the ground went inside and watched the match. The fuck is a first memory?

Glenn Rodent 7:52 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

The smell of fried onions. The smell of blood in the local halol butchers.

The noise of police horse hooves walking and horse shit in the road.

Scarf and badge sellers shouting in the street.

The noise of the turnstile turning as you go into the ground.

Wooden seats in the West Stand (first game).

The pitch illuminated by flood lights.

The sound of bubbles roaring around the ground as the players walk out.

Feeling amazed to see so many people in the stands and more amazed to see hundreds of people on the tower block roof trying to watch the game.

Great times.

WHU(Exeter) 7:58 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Manuel, I think the threads asking for recollections of what stood out for you, from the first few times you went to the ground.

I don't think he's after something Proustian.

lincslink 7:59 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Being passed down to the front and bags of monkey nuts.

Manuel 8:03 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Nothing stood out. It was a station, a street and a football ground. What is meant to stand out?

chim chim cha boo 8:05 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

the coming of gary 7:38 Fri Jul 2

Hazy memories because I was a little kid but my old man and uncles always took me to London away games.

In my last post I didn't even address my first memory of Upton Park but I do remember how different it was to Brisbane Rd. In fact I didn't even know that I loved football until I saw all those grown ups going absolutely bonkers, swearing and fighting.

West Ham has always been more about the crowd than the football. I'm lucky enough now to sit (completely by accident) Colin Hart the legendary boxing commentator and to be honest I miss the company of the old boy more than the football.

The London Stadium will never be Upton Park. The world has changed too much.

big bongie 8:16 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

Playing truant from school midweek 1968 and going to the ground to get autographs from any players that were there. Got Geoff Hurst's and the great Bobby Moore's who asked why I wasn't at school and made me promise to go the next day.

yngwies Cat 8:21 Fri Jul 2
Re: What are your first memories of Upton Park/Boleyn Ground?

The smell of the pitch ..in-between fag smoke, fried onions, Beer and BO.

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