With the new season less than 24 hours away and man flu ravaging my weary bones, excitement and anticipation is fever pitch at the impending return to the big time. Clearly, the Premiership is where we want to be, hosting the likes of both Manchester sides, Arsenal, Chelsea and T*ttenham amongst others.
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Whilst rubbing shoulders with the likes of the big boys (and Wigan) is something we prefer, one thing that last season provided us with more than ever was the humour and loyalty of our fans.
Avram Grant sapped the energy out of the most loyal Hammer. Not to say we turned our back on the club, but he made it very difficult for the fans’ to think their own club credible. And THIS is why our fans are some of the best in the country.
Would the likes of Chelsea, Sp*rs and Man United fans actually travelled to Hull on Bonfire Night? We sold out the away end and outsang the home fans. When Collison scored the second and the sound of plastic chairs hitting the backs echoed around three sides of the ground, the away end was still rocking with the song ‘Is there a fire drill!?’
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At home to Millwall, down to 10 men and 1-0 up, the half-time whistle was greeted by barracking the travelling support with ‘The wheels on your house go round and round!’ in relation to their alleged, caravan-dwelling, heather-selling habits.
Of course, Hammers humour isn’t limited to a ‘sing when you’re winning’ mentality. Adverse press reports and long ball football riled us loyal fans in the stands who responded with ‘We’re West Ham United, we play on the floor’ in an almost defensive, but with tongue firmly lodged in the proverbial cheek manner.
What I’m trying to point out is, come rain or shine, Chelsea or Doncaster, Premiership or Championship, our fans are just proud to have their tickets and be following us. Our loyalty, humour and originality shines through like fans of no other club. Whilst some opposition fans demand success, being a West Ham fan prepares you for abject misery and provides you with a wry sense of humour that makes the fleeting successes taste that much sweeter.
Saturday is our return to the big time where I expect us to still be next season. The fans, as usual, will have the ground pumping and rocking. We will have characters, we will be singing, we will be colourful, but most importantly – we will be back!
In closing, my favourite funny moment of last season occurred in the bookies on the way to the home game v Pompey.
WHU Fan 1: ‘Carew is 4/1 to score at any time’
WHU Fan 2: ‘Anytime this season? I want better odds than that!’
Regards, Smudgy
Twitter: @TheRobTaylor32
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