West Ham United fans from across the world got together for an Official Supporters’ Clubs party in east London on Good Friday.
Groups representing fans from Algeria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden and the United States met at Riverside East on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to take a special tour of London Stadium, share stories, enjoy a few drinks and be entertained by Hammers legends Martin Allen, Ray Stewart and Mark Ward.
The event, hosted by BBC presenter and West Ham fan Ben Mundy and DJ Martin Cee, also gave fans from overseas the opportunity to win special prizes and have their photograph taken with the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.
The supporters’ groups will join forces again at London Stadium on Saturday for the Premier League fixture with Southampton, fresh from an event they all seemingly enjoyed greatly!
Scotty Burkhardt Jr, International Fan Representative on the Fan Advisory Board and Baltimore Hammers Chairperson, said: “This was a really great event for the first go-around. It was something that the Fan Advisory Board (FAB), along with the Fan Engagement Team at the Club, collaborated on last year. We had meetings in London, brainstormed ideas and then went our separate ways to make it happen. It was an incredible opportunity for us as fans of our beloved West Ham United to come together in the shadow of the stadium. It’s unheard of to have Club legends like Mark and Ray hanging out with fans in such an intimate setting. It was a brilliant event and I really hope it continues in the future.”
Gjermund Holt, long-serving member and former Chair of the Scandinavian Hammers, said: “I’m from Norway and part of the Scandinavian Hammers. The group was founded in 1988 and I’ve been involved since nearly the beginning. It was great fun. Mark and Ray were very good to listen to, really enjoyable.”
Sean Fewel, founder of NYC Hammers, said: “It was fantastic – especially with the 1986 team represented, which is my idol team. I regret not seeing them live, but I’ve read everything I can about them. It was amazing to hear all the knowledge shared and meet fellow international fans. We got to talk with the Baltimore Hammers, who we don’t often see because we don’t travel the country much.
“We are also involved in the Premier League Summer Series, so this event fits in perfectly. It was great to finally put faces to names. This trip has been fantastic, and yes, I’ll definitely be at the next one!”
Roland Weedon of Park City Hammers, who hosted a Winter Weekender in Utah in February, said: “This was an amazing event and it’s great to meet Hammers from all over the world. So exciting and I’m really looking forward to the next one.”
Liam Tyrell of Trans Pennine Irons concluded: “The event tonight was really good – well-organised with lots of different aspects. The compere was excellent and both Mark Ward and Ray Stewart were brilliant. They shared fresh and interesting stories – insights we hadn’t heard before, which is rare given how long we’ve followed the Club. We also got to meet other Hammers, both from the UK and abroad. I've known some of the guys, like Gjermund, for 30 years or more. It was fantastic to meet fans from all over—the Finnish Irons, Baltimore Hammers, Algeria, Park City, NYC Hammers. The flags and shirts looked brilliant and a few of our own members came down too. Some of us had never met before, so it was really special to share the event with them.”
For more information about Official Supporters' Clubs in your area, click HERE.