Some West Ham supporters took to social media in order to react to Jermain Defoe candidly speaking out about the regrets he had over the way he left the Hammers in 2004.
The now 35-year-old Bournemouth forward revealed that he regretted the way he left the Hammers in 2004 as he believes he was disrespectful over the way he handled getting his exit.
“The manner in which I left West Ham I would change. My agent, at the time, said I had to hand in a transfer request,” said Defoe on Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk, as quoted by the broadcaster’s website.
“When I was young, I didn’t really understand transfer requests, I had never come across one before and my agent told me it was the right thing to do.
“I trusted my agent and I thought this must be the process – hand in a transfer request and when you do that, you would be the first out the door, that’s what he said to me.
“I went to the stadium on my own and I handed the transfer request to Paul Aldridge – he even said to me ‘Who has got you to do this?’
“He was gutted because he knew it had to come out at some point. He was really upset and said that he couldn’t believe that my agent had got me to do that.
“He was saying ‘You don’t need to do this because if a football club wants you, they will come and get you’. At the time, I thought I was doing the right thing, but looking back I’d change that 100 per cent. I think it’s disrespectful.”
Hammers fans were divided on whether to forgive Defoe for the way he left the club with some happy to do so, while one claimed betrayals live forever.
Forever West Ham has rounded up a selection of tweets by Hammers supporters in reaction to Defoe’s comments about his exit:
I remember going to that Walsall game were he got sent off after 5mins, terrible attitude back then, his team mates must have hated him.
— West Ham & Money (@Wham2214) June 30, 2018
From what I remember, wasn't a couple of them red cards harsh? Think one was 2 yellow cards in the space of a couple of mins
— Mark David (@markdavid_91) June 30, 2018
Best team we ever had.
— Gary Prince (@GaryAPrince) June 30, 2018
@IAmJermainDefoe – respect from a West Ham fan for coming out and saying that. It’s nice to see some direct criticism at agents from players for once. I wish you had have stayed too.
— Andrew Verspeak (@AndyVerspeak) June 30, 2018
All forgiven after the great things he done for Bradley Lowery
— DalLittle83 (@DLittle83) June 30, 2018
Too late pal. Some betrayals live forever. You’ve done great stuff with Bradley and kudos for that but that was bad darts.
— Nick John ⚒⚒ (@DerbyIron) June 30, 2018
Jesus some fans need to get over it! I have, all is forgiven. After what he done for Bradley Lowery he has proven what a great bloke he really is! He was young back then and badly advised.
— ⚒⚒Tony_COYI⚒⚒ (@Anthony_coyi) June 30, 2018
And the three sendings off in 3 months because you didn’t want to play or even pass to a team mate? You were 21 not 16. https://t.co/RDEUVdOqT9
— VINNYWHUFC (@vinnywhufc) June 30, 2018
OPINION
Defoe scored 29 goals in 94 appearances for the Hammers and really made his name at the London club. The forward following his departure from the Hammers went on to secure a reputation as one of the most clinical finishers in the Premier League which made his exit from the London club even harder to bare. However many years have passed and it’s understandable that the player now truly understands why fans were unhappy with how he left the club as he did it in a terrible manner. Defoe is no longer a young man in football and his experiences have clearly caused him to reflect on past decisions and realise he made a few mistakes during his career. While some fans on Twitter aren’t willing to forgive him it’s still nice to hear that Defoe acknowledges he should have done better by the Hammers.