With our process to move to Stratford having begun, many Hammers are coming to terms with the eventual transition. I am one of the largest supporters to go to Stratford, and after completing what seemed a very weighted consultation process. My opinion hasn’t changed. Although there is one aspect of the move I am against and that is idea of moving the statue of Bobby Moore.
Bobby Moore and his pals from the 1966 triumph are part of West Ham royalty. Even if Bobby and Geoff made their name and international impact as England players, it’s still the clubs greatest 90 minutes. When the club eventually takes its giant leap across Newham, West Ham United will hold tenancy of one of the biggest and most iconic stadiums in Britain. The miraculous work of the board has made the move possible because they have been playing to the cord of the public by ensuring the achievements of the legacy. However, the legacy they have forgotten to consider is the one of the Boleyn Ground.
The Boleyn Ground has the history of West Ham United; the achievements, the success, the traditions but most of the entire atmosphere. The atmosphere is built upon raw emotion, raw emotion that has been gained over time. Without the success of ’66 this wouldn’t be possible. This is why I believe and would hope that the statue of Bobby Moore is kept near the Boleyn. We can move to the Olympic Stadium, which I can hardly wait for, but we must respect the legacy of the Boleyn.
The statue must stay erected on the Barking road. The history of that moment belongs there; the whole purpose of the move to Stratford is so we move forward as a club. The past needs to be left untouched; most of all the past needs to be respected. The club can move, but the fact that Moore, Hurst and Peters played at the Boleyn will never change. The history that they created and the legacy of the World Cup winners will always be part of West Ham United’s past at the Boleyn.
I understand and accept that the club and many supporters would wish to move the statue to Stratford, but the impact that the club has had in that part of London needs to be respected. If the statue doesn’t stay then, the club will need to think of a fitting way to mark that the history, traditions and the legacy of our great club at the Boleyn. Personally, I feel no greater respect would be made by leaving the statue untouched.
I can see your viewpoint but I can’t agree with it and I don’t think most people will. The moving of the statue was the compromise many people against the move agreed upon and to leave it there when the grounds gone seems a bit silly, although I agree we should leave some sort of the club in Upton Park. A very well written article and an interesting view.
Agreed, the marking of the passing of the Boleyn should be made but leaving such an important piece of West Ham history there is not the answer! There will be better ways to pay our respects and they should be carefully considered before the move is completed.
great article i agree the statue should be left where it is maybe another one could be made at the new stadium maybe status of ron greenwood and john lyall should also be made
Statue has to be moved to the OS! Where incidentally there will be more than enough room to honour all our greats especially Ron Greenwood and John Lyall! God less them both! COYI!
It’ll get destroyed by all the slovaks that move into the council estate that gets built on top of UP. They dont care about West ham.
Spot on Stu, sad but true….Move him to Stratford where the statue will be among those who loved him!
I understand what your saying,but what happens when the Boleyn is sold off,which we know it will be,chances are there will be no Boleyn.
For greatest 90 minutes, read 120 minutes. You forgot the extra time. I say let it stay and have a new one at the OS.
You are talking tosh
Don’t be daft. It has to move too. Must be at the ground! Don’t be so soft!
I have to disagree. It is not the ground that holds the history of West Ham United, it is the club. The ground is part of the history and will forever remain so. Like it or not the club is moving and the history moves with it. Yes, Hurst, Moore & Peters played at the Boleyn but, more importantly, they played for West Ham & West Ham are moving to Stratford. The statue belongs to, and belongs with West Ham United.
Spot on mate! Couldn’t agree more!
It is time we had a statue of the best Hammer ever Billy Bonds.
Paul, its a scandal that Bonzo hasnt got a stand named after him, or a statue, The ALL TIME Hammers legend must get more recognition…lets start a campaign ??
Billy Bonds is to become the first ever recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at this season’s Player Awards.
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130304/bonds-to-be-honoured_2236884_3096638
About time too! Great man stabbed in the back by Ol’ saggy chops!
When we make the move to our future at the OS the Boleyn will be quickly gone, turned into houses and community spaces, in time just our memories will remain. The statue is a part of West Ham and West Ham are moving to the OS! We and everything West Ham must move with it, otherwise there will be no point! We have enough history, tradition and memories to fill a hundred stadiums so moving to the OS will be a doddle! Already the plans look amazing and all we have to do is keep our nerve! COYI!
I think the statue should go to Stratford along with the club. Surely the new roads, crescents or closes built on the Boleyn ground site MUST include the MOORE name at the very least. Number 6 anyone?
I reckon Bobby should go with West Ham with Geoff Hurst & Martin Peters added to commemorate the club’s greatest contribution to English football.
i think your right thats where the boys are from and thats where the statue must stay. we can put some new ones at the new stadium maybe one of sir trev at his side of the ground and one of bobby at his side,
I don’t think we have a real alternative other than take the statue to Stratford. Upton Park is an asian area and will become even more so when West ham move out. What will happen to the statue if we left it there? Who would go out of their way to see it?
Winning the World Cup was a national event and the statue should be at Stratford so that West Ham and visiting fans of today and the future can see it next to West Ham’s ground.
It’s got to stay . Hate the thought of leaving upton park.but fear it would be abused so we must take the boys with us.
the statue is going to look very silly next to a supermarket ! of course it has to go .
no one is going to go to upton park just to see the statue .. ridiculous to leave it !
the fans will want to see it at stratford . The people living there could not care less
Darren it’s sad but you hit the point enough said.
Can’t quite believe this is even a debate. Frankly, the surrounding area around BG is a complete hole. The community don’t appreciate it as it is now, why on earth leave the statue there?
Just another thing to get smashed up when Pakistan win the cricket like the last time. No thank you very much.
As others have already pointed out, the ground will more than likely be pole axed for a housing estate anyway. We go Stratford, Bobby comes too. End of.
Absolutely a million times, the statue comes with us. Without a stadium and the westham fans, there is nothing. The Boleyn pub, cafe’s and any other westham connections will be closed soon after. There is no Westham without the football, fans and stadium. Leave it there and you may as well re locate the statue to Beckton, or some where else as meaningless.