Last weekend I was lucky enough to win a place in the National Lottery Anniversary Run (courtesy of West Ham United) which finished at the Olympic Stadium. I accidentally registered as an elite runner, but I was really looking forward to getting a look into the new home of the Hammers. At the start line, we had a brilliant view of the stadium- which was very motivating- but when they announced that we would be “finishing in the Olympic Stadium- the future home of West Ham United” the crowd of runners erupted into boos.
Wait, what?!
What the heck was I doing surrounded by thousands of people who were running a race into our new ground but vocally hating on it at the same time? Do all elite runners support Spurs and Leyton Orient, or is it West Ham v the world when it comes to the Olympic Stadium?
I struggle to see why non-West Ham fans would overly object to an organization (in this case a football club) offering what could be a giant white elephant, a defining legacy, that will provide jobs and, crucially, affordable days out to local people (yes I know how expensive the tickets are this year, but there can and will be cheaper options in the OS.)
I was pretty annoyed and did a 360 degree turn to give the surrounding crowd of runners one of my best dirty looks. I mean, seriously, if you don’t like West Ham having the stadium, don’t bother coming to our ground then! Go run elsewhere! And with that thought came a really lovely feeling- ownership. I had thought of it as ‘our’ ground.
I just had my first experience of feeling like the Olympic Stadium was ours.
(Of course we don’t ‘own’ it financially and legally, but this was the first time I really associated it with being West Ham’s home.)
I’ve been firmly in favour of moving to the OS, and was delighted when we were repeatedly picked as the preferred bidder, but I’ve been conscious of the fact that I didn’t really feel a connection with the ground. Of course I am not without my concerns about this new stadium (where are we going to drink, how bad are the shop staff going to hate thousands of drunken West Ham fans spilling through their stores before and after games, what effect is this going to have on local business in the Upton Park area) but having now been in the stadium, I have to say it’s growing on me.
The run finished around the athletic track and with an estimated 30,000 spectators present at the race, I was privy to the sort of atmosphere that the stadium can have. It was pretty incredible, and I can only imagine how much more amazing it will feel when it’s filled with claret and blue.
That’s our new home, it’s a fantastic piece of architecture- and an immense place. This stadium is a big deal, and I’ve never been as proud of being a part of its future it as I was on Sunday. When I crossed the finish line (47:37, since you’ve asked) I was so proud to be doing it as a Hammer, in the future home of West Ham United.
And as for everyone who booed? Well, I’d be jealous of us too, if I were them.
Have you been to the OS yet? Do you feel like it could be ‘home’ or do you need some more convincing? Did any of you also take part in the race (don’t bother responding if you were faster than me, of course)? Would love to know below, or tweet me @makingthemarrow
I was one of the thirty thousand cheering on sunday. The atmosphere was great and will get better when the stands close in on the pitch. Can’t wait to move in.
I will be there tomorrow night for the anniversary games – can’t wait
Good for you! Glad that west ham fans were there! It’s going to be out of this world when we move in! As for the boos, who cares! As west ham you know everyone is jealous of us! Fuck em! We have never worried about anyone else before so why should we worry about it now! COYI!
Unfortunately it seems that everybody hates us, no matter what we do. After the 2010 World Cup debacle Rob Green was lambasted by the away fans when we played at home with the usual “you let your country down” and “USA USA”. Don’t know if this was the case last year whilst playing for QPR but if he didn’t get any abuse from the away fans last year was it because he was playing for QPR and not West Ham. Would be interesting to know.
I cant’t understand why no-one bothered about man city getting the commonwealth stadium in the same way we are getting aggro every which way – the taxpayers paid for that stadium as well – maybe it is a west ham thing – i was lucky enough to see jessica ennis mo farah and greg rutherford win gold there – the atmosphere is amazing – i for one cant wait for west ham to move there – coyi
Will never be our ‘home’. Completely selling the soul of the club. Shan’t attend any games there.
Like it or not, it will be our home so get over it. The soul of West Ham United is precisely what we will be taking to the OS. We are leaving behind a stadium that is no longer fit for purpose in an area of London that is a million miles from that of 20 or 30 years ago.
Cal – I suggest that you have never been and never will be a true fan.
Go and support the Mancs or Chelski, trust me you wont be missed.
In my opinion its us who are the soul of the team and we will be in the os making it our new home from the first game.