The Atlanta Ironworks Supporters’ Group had a matchday to remember on Saturday, when they were joined by a couple of special West Ham United guests to take in the Premier League draw with AFC Bournemouth.
The Hammers were in Atlanta, Georgia, counting down to the 2025 Premier League Summer Series, when we will face Bournemouth again in the American city, on 3 August, in one of three games across the Atlantic.
As part of the visit, former Irons striker Carlton Cole and Club mascot Hammerhead headed down to the Brewhouse Café, the fan group’s regular matchday meeting spot, to join them to cheer on Graham Potter’s men in our Premier League meeting with the Cherries.
Despite the early 10am EDT (3pm BST) kick-off time, the Atlanta Ironworks members packed out the bar and witnessed a see-saw 2-2 draw, in which Niclas Füllkrug and Jarrod Bowen strikes were sandwiched by an Evanilson double.
And their day got even better shortly after-full time, when skipper Bowen joined Cole on a video call to give his thoughts on the game and thank the fans for their support Stateside.
“It was an incredible day,” Nick Lemmond, chairperson of the Atlanta Ironworks, said: “The turnout was great, everyone really enjoyed it. Carlton, Hammerhead, all you guys [were here], it was a really special day.
“It definitely means a lot [to have events like Saturday’s]. It just furthers the belief that this Club is more than just a club, it's family.
“We’re all super excited for the Premier League Summer Series, it's going to be a hell of a weekend for sure.
“I've been to other matches when we've come over to North Carolina and I know a lot of people went down to Florida last year. I’ve heard nothing but good stories about that, so I expect nothing less than just a fantastic weekend.
“I've made some of my best friends in life from this group here. We're growing every day, it's great to see.”
Carlton Cole, the Hammers’ fifth-highest Premier League goalscorer of all time with 41 strikes to his name, added: “The Atlanta Ironworks fanbase was unbelievable. They were rocking at the Brewhouse Café.
“It’s been a great weekend. If you look at the last 24 hours we've been right around the city of Atlanta, we've been to the stadium, we've come here today. It just raises the level of excitement for the Summer Series.
“It's going to be epic across all three cities, but you get the feeling it's going to be incredible here in Atlanta. It's going to be hot and people are going to really enjoy what the Premier League's got to offer.
“We've made friends here already so let's hope we can keep the family network going between the West Ham faithful and us as a team, and try and get to the next level of success.”
Cole and Hammerhead followed the Bournemouth watch party by heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the evening - where the Irons will take on the Cherries in August - to bring a slice of east London to the Tailgate party ahead of Atlanta United’s Major League Soccer clash with FC Dallas.
It all followed a busy Friday, when the duo took to the streets of Atlanta to challenge locals to score 120 goals - marking 120 days until our return to the city - along with visiting Atlanta United’s training ground to link up with Cole’s old West Ham teammate Jonathan Spector.
This summer, we will play Bournemouth, Everton and Manchester United in Atlanta, Chicago and New Jersey respectively, and tickets for all three matches are on General Sale now!
Click HERE to secure your seats for a mouthwatering Stateside series.
