So Herita Ilunga has left the club.
And with him our link to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Not to be confused with the neighbouring Republic of the Congo. It`s an easy mistake to make.
Ilunga played 73 times for the club. And it’s fair to say that the earlier appearances were a little easier on the eye than the later offerings. Personally i liked the fella. Then again I had time for `Chicken George` and dare I say it – Andy Impey.
So what will we remember of Mr Ilunga?
Apply now for the dream job – Read about West Ham and YOU get PAID http://bit.ly/ffc-foreverwestham
The fact that his surname would attract seven points in a game of Scrabble? (interestingly his christian name attracts nine points even with a `t`, though the surname is helped with a four point input from the letter `h`). Perhaps not.
The fact that he was the first Congolese player to have worn the claret and blue? Having had players from Senegal, Hong Kong & Dundee this wasn’t a great selling point.
Nah for me it was the fella`s age!! According to Wikipedia Mr Ilunga was born on 10/05/77 thus making him 34. Rumours suggested that there may have been another 10 years to be added to that figure and recent performances would not have done much to quash the rumours.
The fastest growing Hammers website is now on Facebook, click the link to be entered into our up and coming competitions http://www.facebook.com/pages/ForeverWestHamcom/200938616608282
But he was a decent player in an otherwise pretty average side. A player that promised much, after the initial trial that period. But who didn’t quite reach the high`s we expected of him.
So farewell llunga. In your absence I shall raise a toast to you and DR Congo (13 points in a game of Scrabble).
Perhaps it’s time for me to introduce my joker. Uncle Zzzquhalllaazzzzzzz. Always a pleasure.
Chicken George was my hero