Hammers Advent Calendar - Day 13

Today opens another window on our video Advent Calendar and reveals the fifth instalment of West Ham United's Like My Dreams series.

Today's video tells the story of three Like My Dreams nominees, all of whom were granted their wish of being 'Coach for a Day'.

Harry Lawson (14), Harry Chambers (14) and Stephen Lehan-Port (30) all visited the Club's Chadwell Heath training ground on 26 November.

David Lehan-Port nominated his son and he told West Ham TV his reasons for doing so: "He had a lot of illness when he was younger.

"He had meningitis and a cornea transplant and I thought this would be something fitting to celebrate his 30th birthday for all the trials and tribulations that he's gone through to give him this once-in-a-lifetime chance."

The trio arrived at Chadwell Heath just before 9:30am where they was presented with their official West Ham United adidas training gear, complete with their initials.

After a quick change the nominees, who were all accompanied by their fathers, enjoyed breakfast in the canteen surrounded by first team players, staff and a certain Tony Cottee before they moved out to the training pitch to link-up with first team coach Ian Hendon, who explained to the onlookers about the training session which was taking place just yards in front of their faces.

Harry Chambers, who was born three months premature weighing just 535g and has since suffered numerous medical conditions, explained that the chance to see the players up close and personal was a dream come true.

Image removed.

Our nominees have a picture with manager Sam Allardyce

He said: "I was nervous and excited because I've always wanted to see the players train in person and I've finally got the chance to do that.

"I was shocked really that I was given the chance to do this. It's something that I've always wanted to do."

Lawson and the others received the same slideshow presentation as shown to the players by assistant manager Neil McDonald before they sat down in the canteen for lunch surrounded by all the first team players and staff.

To end the day our nominees collected autographs and pictures with their favourite Hammers before they enjoyed a kick-around on the training pitch.

Harry Lawson, who was diagnosed with autism when he was in primary school, said he had enjoyed his day with the team immensely.

Image removed.

Stephen Lehan-Port poses for a photo with captain Kevin Nolan

"It's been an absolutely amazing experience, I've thoroughly enjoyed it and had a really good day seeing the West Ham players train."

His dad, Ian Lawson, is also a big Hammers fan and was equally as thrilled with how the day had unfolded.

"It's been an amazing day. To emphasise what Harry's said seeing the players train and to see what goes on behind the scenes to run a club like this has been a real eye-opener."