Now that the last four games have given everybody a new found hope and belief, I really think its time to ramp up the noise and level of support at The Boleyn. There is no doubt that for those of us who have been privileged to have witnessed at first hand so may legendary days, and especially nights, under the lights at our special little ground, the present funeral-like atmosphere, though at times understandable, is nonetheless at odds with what we, as supporters, are all about.
Having spent a good portion of my early life just trying to stay alive on a packed Chicken Run (try staying upright when an incredible 42,322 are packed into the OLD ground as happened v Spurs in October 1970 – I literally was carried from the 18 yard box to the exit trapped between some big old lumps, and off the ground ) and revelling in the amazing and unique atmosphere that prevailed, it is a concern to see the general level of comparative apathy that had pervaded the stadium over the past months and has resulted in a virtual non-experience on what should be exciting match days.
To this point I understand fully just why the singing, chanting and general east-end banter has dropped off so alarmingly; the results haven’t been good, and the quality of football has been even worse. More time is spent biting nails, peeking at the game between fingers, and trying to ignore the huge knot in your stomach every time the ball goes anywhere near our box, Its frankly been almost a challenge and an ordeal to enjoy the games, and lets face it, that’s not why we all pay the best part of £800 of our hard earned, is it
A month ago things really looked to be all over. No one dared predict just where the next point was going to come from, let alone an impossible three. Fast forward several weeks and things seem to have taken a very welcome turn for the best. Ten precious points have lifted us up the table and given us a lifeline, and this is where we come in. If ever West Ham United needed its loyal support base to get behind them, it’s right now. Success in half of our home games would be almost enough for safety, and its here, first and foremost, that the old West Ham spirit needs to be revived, the spirit I remember well from the early 70s and mid 80’s in particular when Bubbles made the walls shake, and cockney quips flew faster than Concord!
Lets put to one side the issues that have affected morale, hope, belief and expectation. The boys have at last delivered on the pitch, Sam Allardyce, love him or hate him, has made us the meanest defence in the Premier League, and for the next six home matches (not forgetting of course the simply brilliant away support we provide on a regular basis), we, as a combined unit of Hammers fans, need, no MUST summon up every ounce of positivity and energy and yell ourselves hoarse for the cause.
If you are singing Bubbles, then sing it with some pride and meaning. If one of the lads chases back 60 yards and gets stuck in, then lets show him how much we appreciate his effort, and when that ball hits the back of the net, lets raise the imaginary roof and show the footballing world that West Ham really is a club in a million, and no matter where we go from here, lets ensure that accusations of a lack of true and meaningful support can never ever be levelled at us.
Come On You Irons!
