The day David Gold made a West Ham fan’s dreams come true

Welcome everyone to my first article here at foreverwestham.com; firstly, let me say thank you for taking the time to read an insight into my thoughts. I think it’s only fair to introduce myself to you, not because I’m a famous, egotistical, know it all West Ham fan who wants your attention, but just a guy who loves his football club.

Like many of you reading this I grew up a West Ham fan because of my father, he had followed West Ham in his younger years, attending home and some away games with a few of his mates. Once I emerged into the world, he stopped to become a parent.

Growing up I of course fell in love with West Ham, the legends at the time like Julian Dicks, Clive Allen and still my all-time favourite goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko. I thought Dicks was a fantastic player, and once I was old enough to start playing for local football teams I knew defence was where I wanted to be. I admired his passion for the game, and not giving an inch in a tackle, this was later replicated with Stuart Pearce.

I remember one time my dad brought some post over to me, and one large A4 letter had the West Ham badge on the corner of it, taking care in opening it, I pulled out some fancy headed paper from the club. It was just a sign-up sheet to be a mascot for the club, but to me it was like receiving a letter from the Queen.

Now, whilst I never got to be a mascot for the club, I know West Ham United Football Club was something special to me. As I moved into my teenage years I started to see a couple of home games a season with family friends, one of the highlights was getting to see Julian Dicks smash in a penalty against Wimbledon, as you all know the atmosphere at Upton Park is addictive, the ground erupted into cheers and singing of bubbles.

Around 2008 my dad was diagnosed with cancer, something that obviously hit my family hard. If you have had to watch someone go through the battle, you don’t even really know where to start in describing it. Everybody just had to stay strong for each. As I was living away from home we regularly spoke on the phone, and 90% of our talks involved West Ham, from discussing the previous game to who we would love to see at the club. We only ever managed to watch one game together, and that was all thanks to David Gold.

In the middle of 2011 we were told my dad’s cancer was now terminal, and had infected his lung. Whilst doctors never know how long someone can live for, we were told he had around a year. We didn’t let it destroy us, even when my dad decided to stop having the chemotherapy and regain some form of normality as the chemo makes you very sick. One day I just decided to see I could plan one special day with my dad before he became immobile, so I wrote an email to David Gold.

I explained in the email, much like I have done to you, the history of my dad’s cancer and how I wanted to create one perfect day. I asked if it would be possible to meet a few of the players or even have a tour of the ground, and once I sent, I forgot about it as I never really expected a reply.

A few days later I received an email from David Gold’s personal PA, thanking me for the email and on Mr Gold’s wishes he would like to invite my father and I to the last game of the season against Reading. He invited us to the Billy Bonds lounge and to watch the game from the Chairman’s box. I was shocked, and must have re-read the email twenty times before I accepted it. Grabbing my phone I quickly called my parents’ home, with my mum picking up.

I explained the email and how shocked I was, my dad overjoyed to have the chance to visit his old stomping ground again. It makes me smile thinking back to telling my dad about the plan, and his first question being ‘will they be serving lunch’. After some correspondence between the very helpful and kind PA, the day finally arrived and we drove over to the ground. The excitement of seeing everyone in the claret and blue, the kids sitting on their dads shoulders and a few of the lads outside The Boleyn pub having a quick drink before getting into the stadium.

Entering the main reception we were shown where to go, and made our way to the Billy Bonds Lounge. I was walking around with my mouth open taking in all the pictures on the walls and how privileged I felt to be here. The room itself overlooks the car park, and could see the two cars of the Davids. Other fans were standing next to them to get a quick picture before it started filling up as kick-off got closer. We were given a free programme and sheet of the confirmed line-ups for the afternoon. Happily for my dad they all had a range of sandwiches and soup for him to tuck into, as I did.

Moving to our seats was an amazing experience, the West Ham faithful never fail to give me that warm feeling in my heart when everyone is a unit, chanting and singing as one. In the next row along to the right I saw David Gold and Sullivan with partners and to the right, Trevor Brooking. The wonderful thing was seeing my dad beaming from ear to ear the whole day; I knew I achieved what I wanted to do. During half-time I spoke to Mr Brooking asking for a picture, which he kindly agreed to.

The best thing was we won the game, 4-2 if I remember correctly, with Kevin Nolan scoring at hat-trick. Once the final game of the season’s victory lap was completed, we headed back to the Billy Bonds Lounge. Having a quick after game tea, David Gold came over and introduced himself. I thanked him kindly for what he had done for us both, as it would be something we would never forget. He chatted with us for a while, and came across as a real down to earth guy, who equally shared a huge about of passion for the club. My dad asked about Andy Carroll, and if we would be buying him after his loan. Mr Gold just smiled and said ‘we are doing all we can, we want to keep him here’. After a few pictures we decided to head back in the car, and could hardly stop talking for the whole journey.

My dad passed away on May 16^th of this year, shortly after the end of the season and our 2-0 defeat to Manchester City. In fairness it was a poor season to go out on, where Carroll and Winston Reid were sorely missed and one of the only highlights was smashing Spurs in three games, they were good phone calls and conversations we shared. The new season is looking like a truly exciting one, five signings who can added something to the squad, promises of more attacking, attractive football and a quite sexy new home kit to boot. For me it will be a tough season, I miss the conversations about who we have just signed, and being able to show my dad clips on YouTube of a new signing.

So that’s my background, a simple West Ham fan who loves the club. For future articles, I will look to bring personal opinions on the club, but also look back at some old games and players in my next few articles. Thanks for taking the time to read my story, I hope you come back for more. Feel free to interact me on over on twitter @WHU4EverFans.

Keep blowing them bubbles Hammers!