Country: Finland
How long have you been a Hammer? Since the early 1970s. We used to play football in the snow and then run home to see English Division One football on TV. Finnish TV broadcasted live coverage five times a season. |When I first time saw West Ham on Black & White TV and Clyde Best scoring, I was sold. All my friends wear gloryhunters, so they supported Leeds Utd, Derby County, Arsenal, Liverpool etc..
What is your first memory? Watching on Black & White TV in the early 70s West Ham United´s game on Finnish TV and Clyde Best scoring!! After that watching on telly the FA Cup Final 1975 was a great moment in my life. And when West Ham came to Helsinki, Finland to play in the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1975 I was there to support my club. First time in London on 21 February 1976 for West Ham United against Derby County and on 23 February 1976 against Leeds United. Never forget!!!!
What is your favourite memory? So many: 1975 in Helsinki, ECWC Lahden Reipas vs West Ham, my first West Ham game
1976 21 February: West Ham United vs Derby County, my first Hammers game at Upton Park.
In 1982-87, visiting West Ham so many times, I didn`t have money for the accommodation so I slept at the train stations. Euston was the best, a new one and warm in the winter time. Worst was Victoria station, cold and windy.
2012 at Wembley seeing our promotion
2023 I was at the stadium in Praque to witness our Conference League Final.
Meeting so many West Ham players and staff, great and honest people: Sir Trevor Brooking, Billy Bonds, the 1975 FA Cup winning squad, Frank McAvennie, Tony Cottee, Alan Devonshire, Phil Parkes, Tony Gale etc..From the staff Jimmy Frith, Rob Jenkins, Tony Carr etc..
Favourite player, past or present? Sir Trevor Brooking. Have met him many times, a great gentleman and Mr West Ham. I cannot imagine anyone else to be so great an ambassador for any football club in the world. | have always enjoyed skilled players with an imagination like Sir Trev, Alan Devonshire, so the present favourite player is Lucas Paquetá. Kudus very close to him.