London Football - West Ham United FC


Name: West Ham United Football Club Nickname: The Hammers, The Irons Colours: "Claret and sky blue" shirts, white shorts, "claret and blue" socks Founded: 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC Turned Professional: 1900 as West Ham United FC

Best position: 3th, 1985-86
Division 2 Champions: 1957-58, 1980-81
Division 2 Runners-up: 1922-23, 1990-91, 1992-93
FA Cup Winner: 1964, 1975, 1980
FA Cup Finalist: 1923
League Cup Finalist: 1966, 1981
Cup Winners Cup Winner: 1965
Cup Winners Cup Finalist: 1976
FA Charity Shield Winner: 1964-65 (together with Liverpool)

Upton park / Boleyn Ground :
The above names are both often used for the stadium of West Ham United. The official name of the stadium itself is 'The Boleyn Ground'. Upton Park is the part of East Ham where the ground is located (the whole area around the ground is called Upton Park).

Capacity: 26.052
Record attendance: 43,322 (Tottenham, 17 October 1970)

Away-fans: North Stand (centenary)

every home game of the hammers is sold out in the season 2000/2001. The ground is pretty old and that's why the club already started with some improvements. The re-development of the ground will be finished in the year 2003. The new Boleyn Ground will be a modern stadium with 40.000 seats.

The best way to get to Upton Park is by underground. Upton Park station (500 m.) and East Ham station (750 m.) are both in walking distance of the ground.

Upton park station gets very busy on matchdays. East ham station is more quiet but also a bit longer walk.

Note: West Ham station isn't near the ground!

Map of Upton Park and surronding area

West Ham has their training sessions at Saville Road, Chadwell Heath. Fans are allowed to come and see one of the sessions. Usually the sessions start at 10:00 ans end at 12:30. More information is available at Saville Road, telephone: 0181 503 8220.

How do i get there? Get the bus to Barking from Romford station. Get out at Saville Road. The West ham training ground is at the left on the end of the street.

West Ham United Football Club was founded in 1895 by employees of the Thames Ironworks shipyard (The name of the club was Thames Ironworks F.C, which helps us to understand why West ham are called 'The Irons' nowadays).
The club (at that time known as West Ham united FC) moved to Boleyn ground (Upton Park) in 1904.

In 1923 West Ham promoted to the first division. After 9 seasons on the highest level they relegated to the second division. In 1958 West Ham promoted back to the first division. From that moment West ham only missed 6 seasons on the highest level.

The West Ham United anthem - 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles'

I'm dreaming dreams
I'm scheming schemes
I'm building castles high

They're born anew
Their days are few
Just like a sweet butterfly

And as the daylight is dawning
They come again in the morning

I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air
They fly so high
Nearly reach the sky
Then like my dreams they fade and die

Fortune's always hiding
I've looked everywhere
I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air.

When shadows creep
When I'm asleep
To lands of hope I stray

Then at daybreak
When I awake
My bluebird flutters away

Happiness you seem so near me
Happiness come forth and cheers me

I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air
They fly so high
Nearly reach the sky
Then like my dreams they fade and die

Fortune's always hiding
I've looked everywhere
I'm forever blowing bubbles
Pretty bubbles in the air

Lyrics/Music : Jaan Kenbrovin/John William Kellette

At every homegame the West Ham United anthem is being played five minutes before kick-off. This will be repeated after the match if the match ends with a positive result.
I'm forever blowing bubbles (202 Kb.)

The fans will be singing the anthem more than once during the game.
I'm forever blowing bubbles (226 Kb.)
I'm forever blowing bubbles (152 Kb.)

Also in away games the anthem is the most popular song.
I'm forever blowing bubbles (114 Kb.)

The great revival of West Ham United against Manchester United in the 2000/2001 season (2-2, after being 0-2 down) was a good reason for a perfect:
You're not singing anymore (82 Kb.)

We don't like ManU anyway Stand up if you hate ManU (189 kb.)

Also a favorite is 'Coooome on you irons'. Come on you irons (150 Kb.) Come on you irons (106 Kb.)

The crowd praises Paolo di Canio with a nice song. Paolo di canio (102 Kb.) Paolo di canio (142 Kb.)

West Ham United FC PLC
Boleyn Ground
Green Street, Upton Park
London E13 9AZ

Ticket Office : (0208) 548-2700
Ticket Info Line : (0208) 742-3322
Ticketmaster hotline (24 h/d): (0207) 413 9013 (only home games)
Main switchboard : (0208) 548-2748
Fax : (0208) 548-2758

Ticket prices: Between �25 and �45.
Click here for a stadiummap and ticket details.

West Ham United - Bradford City
30 September 2000

(including pictures)

www.whufc.co.uk
Official website

www.footballgroundguide.co.uk Very good guide for visiting fans.

www.awayguide.co.uk Description for visiting fans, including some pictures.

www.soccergrounds.co.uk Short description for visiting fans.

www.westhamunited-fc.com
Fanzine 'Knees up mother brown'