Anthony Sealey, the son of the late Hammers’ hero Alan Sealey paid an emotional visit to the Boleyn Ground with members of his family last week.
Alongside wife Jo, daughter Lottie and father-in-law Nick Sorkins, the family, all avid Hammers, were treated to a backstage tour of the Boleyn Ground and watched the first team train.
Having joined West Ham in 1961 from Leyton Orient, Alan Sealey went on to score 26 goals in six seasons, none more important than the match-winning brace he netted at Wembley in the 2-0 European Cup Winner’s Cup final victory over TSV Munich.
Speaking to WHTV, Ant Sealey said: “It is emotional coming back here because I’ve always got that connection to this special place, especially as my Dad is not around anymore.
“I play things back, either things that he did or that he said, good memories. He would always say how much he loved playing here and spoke of his love for the club.
“To have this opportunity was first class. I can’t say how grateful I am to the guys behind the scenes. It’s nice for Lottie to be able to come here and be able to say she’s had some sort of connection to her grandfather.”
The special visit culminated in Ant and Lottie awarding West Ham’s newest hero Dimitri Payet Match of the Day Magazine’s Player of the Month Award for February.
Speaking after meeting the talismanic Frenchmen, Sealey continued: “Dimitri Payet is probably up there with Di Canio. With what we’ve seen so far, he’s clearly enjoying his football here. His weight of pass, his technique, the way he hits a free-kick, you know he’s going to make the goalkeeper work; he’s a really special talent.
“And now, having met him he’s a top bloke.”
Sealey’s father-in-law Nick Sorkins, a West Ham fan for more than 50 years, also enjoyed the special day.
He explained: “It is very emotional thinking about leaving the Boleyn. Hopefully we’ll have a day or two out at Wembley to enjoy and the new stadium to look forward to but yes, it is very emotional to say goodbye to this fantastic place.
“My seats are just behind the dugout, row M, seat 174, right above the shield, it’s a brilliant seat.
“As for Slaven, I think he’s the best thing we’ve done recently. He’s top draw, he really is.”
Alongside wife Jo, daughter Lottie and father-in-law Nick Sorkins, the family, all avid Hammers, were treated to a backstage tour of the Boleyn Ground and watched the first team train.
Having joined West Ham in 1961 from Leyton Orient, Alan Sealey went on to score 26 goals in six seasons, none more important than the match-winning brace he netted at Wembley in the 2-0 European Cup Winner’s Cup final victory over TSV Munich.
Speaking to WHTV, Ant Sealey said: “It is emotional coming back here because I’ve always got that connection to this special place, especially as my Dad is not around anymore.
“I play things back, either things that he did or that he said, good memories. He would always say how much he loved playing here and spoke of his love for the club.
“To have this opportunity was first class. I can’t say how grateful I am to the guys behind the scenes. It’s nice for Lottie to be able to come here and be able to say she’s had some sort of connection to her grandfather.”
The special visit culminated in Ant and Lottie awarding West Ham’s newest hero Dimitri Payet Match of the Day Magazine’s Player of the Month Award for February.
Speaking after meeting the talismanic Frenchmen, Sealey continued: “Dimitri Payet is probably up there with Di Canio. With what we’ve seen so far, he’s clearly enjoying his football here. His weight of pass, his technique, the way he hits a free-kick, you know he’s going to make the goalkeeper work; he’s a really special talent.
“And now, having met him he’s a top bloke.”
Sealey’s father-in-law Nick Sorkins, a West Ham fan for more than 50 years, also enjoyed the special day.
He explained: “It is very emotional thinking about leaving the Boleyn. Hopefully we’ll have a day or two out at Wembley to enjoy and the new stadium to look forward to but yes, it is very emotional to say goodbye to this fantastic place.
“My seats are just behind the dugout, row M, seat 174, right above the shield, it’s a brilliant seat.
“As for Slaven, I think he’s the best thing we’ve done recently. He’s top draw, he really is.”