My love for West Ham United FC

For me to support West Ham United was a strange decision considering my Dad was a huge Chelsea fan and my grandfather was a Charlton Athletic supporter.  My first ever game was going to the Valley (home of Charlton) to watch them play.  I can't remember the opposition.   

From my vague memory, the main reason I started liking the Hammers was due to the colours of their kit.  Growing up I loved the colours blue and maroon.  I was visiting my family friends house when West Ham was live on the television.   They won that day and that's where my love for the Irons came from.

West Ham United is situated in East London and they currently play in the Premier League.  They were founded in 1895 and were originally called "Thames Ironworks", but five years later they changed to West Ham United.  They played at Upton Park since 1904 but more recently in 2016 moved to play at the Olympic Stadium in nearby Stratford.  The move has caused criticism from large portions of supporters.  The move was done on a promise of better performances on the pitch and better facilities in and around the stadium.  This has not been evident to date.

Upton Park on the left and the new 60,000 capacity Olympic Stadium on the right

The first game that I can remember attending at Upton Park was a 1-0 home victory over Leicester City in 1994.  A trademark Julian Dicks penalty kick smashed past the keeper won the clash with just 13 minutes remaining.  

One of my best players growing up following West Ham was, without doubt, Tony Cottee.  He played for the hammers for six years from 1982-1988 and scored 92 goals in 212 games for the club.  I remember he formed a great striking partnership with Scottish striker Frank McAvennie.  I used to love watching them play together.  

The most memorable match I ever attended has to be an away game I attended away against Tottenham Hotspur, a bitter rival to West Ham, and a short journey from my house.  I was only 16 years old and I went there with a friend and his Dad.  West Ham got thrashed 4-1 that night but the atmosphere in the away end was fantastic.  The result didn't matter to a large majority of us fans, we had a great time and we sang our hearts out all game.  It must be said that West Ham haven't won a major trophy since 1980.  

I have yet to attend a game at our new London Stadium with me living in South Korea but next time I come to the UK for a visit I will 100 percent be in attendance to see the club I love hopefully pick up all three points.  

M

My father and I at Upton Park on boxing day 2009 watching West Ham beat Portsmouth 2-0.

Key Words and Expressions


opposition- The team you are playing against in a sport.

vague- Something that isn't 100 percent clear.

kit- The uniform football players wear when playing football.

criticism- To ask questions and to not like as much as you would prefer it to be.

evident- For something to clearly occur and happen.

trademark- Something that a person or company are well-known for.

partnership- Working as a pair doing something.

thrashed- To be beaten by a wide margin.

majority- The greater number than the norm.

sang our hearts out- To sing with great passion and vigour.


Fill in the missing word or phrase in the blank below


Although West Ham lost the game 4-0 the supporters _______________ all game and were a credit to the club.



It was like men against boys out there, they were _____________ 7-0.  It was embarrassing.  


the voting for the president.  Donald Trump won as he had the ____________ of the votes.


I felt nervous in the tunnel before the game, the ______________ looked so much taller and stronger than us.


It was clearly ______________ that her performance would win her the gold medal.


I really like the style and design of the Norwich City _____________ this season.