Heineken’s ‘Cheers to’ campaign aims to celebrate the commitment of West Ham United fans around the world, rewarding a handful of individuals with football experiences they’ll truly never forget.
First to share his story in the series is 46-year-old Hugo Huerta, who hails from Chihuahua, Mexico, but now lives in Detroit, USA, with his wife Mayte and their two children.
Hugo’s affiliation with the Irons started way back in the late 1980s, when his love for heavy metal music and football crossed a Claret-and-Blue-coloured path.
Upon receiving the then latest album to have been released by his favourite band - Somewhere in Time by Iron Maiden - he noticed the back of the cover detailed a thumping 7-3 scoreline in favour of West Ham against Arsenal.
The rest, as they say, is history. Hugo has been a Hammer ever since, and in 2000, while in his early 20s, he funded a trip to the Boleyn Ground, where he watched his first live match and purchased a replica shirt that he still proudly wears today.
In between attending Iron Maiden concerts in his West Ham kit, and even appearing on stage with bassist Steve Harris and the rest of the band, Hugo and his family moved to America approximately ten years ago, where he has since become a valued member of the Detroit Hammers Supporters’ Club.
He and the rest of the group regularly meet up to watch matches throughout the week, sometimes as early as 6am because of the time difference, and after once such session he was reminded to put his name into the hat to become a ‘Cheers to’ champion.
The lucky recipient of an Ultimate Matchday Experience with Heineken, Hugo and his wife were treated to return flights from their hometown to London, a five-night hotel stay and hospitality tickets to West Ham’s home Premier League clash against Liverpool late last month.
Having been told about his tale however, the Club and Heineken joined forces to put the cherry on top of a trip of a lifetime.
While being shown around the Cart & Horses pub in Maryland - the birthplace of Iron Maiden and the venue for their first ever gig - two days before the Liverpool game, Hugo was surprised by West Ham and Mexico midfielder Edson Álvarez, much to his astonishment.
Hugo said: “I still can’t believe it! The whole experience has been brilliant, and at the end, to get to meet Edson - who is my favourite player - and have a chance to chat to him, was just incredible.
“He’s a huge player for the Mexico national team, and because of him there are West Ham shirts in lots of Mexican football stores and sports stores. He’s really important to the country, and to me especially because of my love for the Hammers.
“I’ve been a West Ham fan ever since I got the Somewhere in Time album when I was a kid, so to win this competition and experience these things is unbelievable. I’d never been to London Stadium before, and even just going past it on the tube made my heart beat fast!
“To top it all off by visiting the home of Iron Maiden and meeting my hero is something I’ll never forget and I’m very grateful.”
For Álvarez, catching up with Hugo offered him a chance to give something back to someone who has consistently gone to great lengths to offer him support at both Club and international level.
As a fellow Mexican, and a follower of the Premier League prior to his arrival from Ajax last summer, he is fully aware of the passion sparked by the competition in all corners of the globe.
Álvarez said: “It was awesome to see Hugo’s reaction when I walked into the pub, and to then be able to sit down, have a conversation with him and really listen to his story.
“It’s always special to reflect on how much supporters give you as players, and to be able to give them something back. We know there are so many people around the world backing us, and that does make a big difference.
“It was special too that he is from the same country as me, and to come together close to the home of West Ham, which we also have in common. His support is amazing, and so is his story.”
Heineken remain on the hunt for similarly heart-warming stories among the Hammers faithful at home and abroad, as the ‘Cheers to’ campaign looks to recognise supporters for their dedication to the Club.
Tell us about a West Ham United fan* you think deserves to be nominated HERE.
*Nominees must be over the age of 25.
