Hammers supporter Colin Blythe has some great memories of supporting the Hammers, as did his Father and Grandfather
West Ham supporter Colin Blythe grew up as a Hammer through and through, in part thanks to his Grandfather Joe. The family has some wonderful memories of their time supporting the Club at the Boleyn Ground…
As the last season at the Boleyn Ground approaches its end, I look back and have so many fond memories of my time supporting West Ham.
There are so many because our family have been associated with the Club since my Grandfather, Joe Blythe, started supporting the team where he worked – Thames Iron Works. They obviously subsequently became West Ham United and started playing at the Boleyn.
My Grandfather Joe met John Lyall thanks to an ‘oldest supporter’ competition run by the Stratford Express just before we beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final with Trevor Brooking’s header.
My father Harry – Joe’s son – helped him attend that day, as he was very frail, but was able to enjoy the experience. My Dad, who was not well himself at the time, would live long enough to see us beat Arsenal after giving me his Cup final ticket. Joe has Great Grandchildren who are current season ticket holders at the Boleyn.
As the last season at the Boleyn Ground approaches its end, I look back and have so many fond memories of my time supporting West Ham.
There are so many because our family have been associated with the Club since my Grandfather, Joe Blythe, started supporting the team where he worked – Thames Iron Works. They obviously subsequently became West Ham United and started playing at the Boleyn.
My Grandfather Joe met John Lyall thanks to an ‘oldest supporter’ competition run by the Stratford Express just before we beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final with Trevor Brooking’s header.
My father Harry – Joe’s son – helped him attend that day, as he was very frail, but was able to enjoy the experience. My Dad, who was not well himself at the time, would live long enough to see us beat Arsenal after giving me his Cup final ticket. Joe has Great Grandchildren who are current season ticket holders at the Boleyn.
My overriding Boleyn Ground memory was the day not long after that Cup final, we scattered the ashes of my Dad on the pitch in front of the goal and on the terraces of the North Bank, eleven steps up where we always stood. It was a blustery day and I got some of the dust in my eyes and I have carried them proudly ever since.
Other fantastic memories of mine include the days of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters and also Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire and Billy Bonds. For my Dad, it would have been Vic Keeble, John Dick and Malcolm Musgrove and for Granddad Joe, it was Syd Puddefoot and Ted Hufton.
I remember at Highbury, we scored in the first and last minute to earn a draw and at Spurs, John White, who was tragically killed by lightning at 27, scored with a hit and wish shot from the byline in their 6-1 victory at Upton Park.
The Cup Winners’ Cup final against Munich 1860 was a great game and before the 1964 semi at Hillsborough, the train broke down, and we got to the ground just before kick-off and got put in the Manchester United end!
Their supporters all shook hands with us at the end. It poured down all day and we were soaked to the skin and the train home looked like a refugee camp, with clothes draped everywhere trying to dry out, but we never got sick we were all glowing inside to keep us warm.
There are so many memories for me, and I’ve had a wonderful time supporting the Club.
Other fantastic memories of mine include the days of Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters and also Trevor Brooking, Alan Devonshire and Billy Bonds. For my Dad, it would have been Vic Keeble, John Dick and Malcolm Musgrove and for Granddad Joe, it was Syd Puddefoot and Ted Hufton.
I remember at Highbury, we scored in the first and last minute to earn a draw and at Spurs, John White, who was tragically killed by lightning at 27, scored with a hit and wish shot from the byline in their 6-1 victory at Upton Park.
The Cup Winners’ Cup final against Munich 1860 was a great game and before the 1964 semi at Hillsborough, the train broke down, and we got to the ground just before kick-off and got put in the Manchester United end!
Their supporters all shook hands with us at the end. It poured down all day and we were soaked to the skin and the train home looked like a refugee camp, with clothes draped everywhere trying to dry out, but we never got sick we were all glowing inside to keep us warm.
There are so many memories for me, and I’ve had a wonderful time supporting the Club.