Throughout October 2024, West Ham United will mark Black History Month by celebrating talented and young Black creatives in our local community and reclaiming the narratives by shining a light on the untold stories.
Over the course of the month, we’ll profile key voices from the West Ham family and beyond – including award-winning music producers, media leaders, podcast hosts and photographers.
By highlighting these individuals, we aim to share their often untold success stories, encouraging us to learn, share, discuss and celebrate their journeys, gaining a fresh perspective on the contributions of Black British people in our sphere.
It took about ten seconds to realise how much West Ham and being part of the new Away kit launch earlier this summer meant to our second guest, Philippa Ako, who regularly shares her passion and support for the Club on award-winning Black female-led football podcast ‘Goal Diggers’. The smile that cascaded across her face as she was introduced to staff was there for all to see.
Not only that, but the passion that came across in her interview spoke volumes. Having lived on the same street as West Ham’s greatest-ever player and England’s 1966 World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore throughout her early childhood, Ako’s relationship with her local Club was written in the stars.
“West Ham means home,” Ako confirmed. “I think especially during our European campaigns, there's just like a feeling of belonging. They’re linked to me, to my family, and have made me meet women who are like minded.
“I lived on the same street as Bobby Moore did growing up. All of my brother’s friends were West Ham fans. So then, by default, I also became a West Ham fan. I didn't really have a choice, and pretty much all of my friends at school were West Ham supporters too. As I got to about the age of eleven or 12, it just became obvious that I was just going to fall in love with football forever.
“The reason why I think I got really into football was because it was a way for me and my brother to keep in touch while he was living in the United States. We would catch up over the weekend’s fixtures, talk about players, and what we thought, and it was just a really nice way to build our bond. Since he came back, we started going to games together more.
“I definitely think since we moved to the London Stadium we’ve seen a lot more diverse people around us. We have family in Upton Park and Plaistow, so walking down Barking Road to go to games, you really do feel like you're part of something. It's a bit difficult sometimes being a Black woman supporting a Club like West Ham, but once you get into the ground and you're around your people, none of that matters. I’m massively proud to see a richer, more diverse representation of West Ham. There are these stereotypes about football fans in general, not just at West Ham. I think there's also that sort of stereotype attached to West Ham fans, probably because of their white, working class fans, traditionally.
Discussing her West Ham role models, Ako highlights three legendary Hammers footballers – Anton Ferdinand, Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker. All three players, highly thought of during their time in Claret and Blue, were idolised by many Black supporters and helped pave the way for Black players at the Club across the following decades.
As a football Club that keeps equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do – and with a proud history of employing players from all walks of life, including those of a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. Ako listed Newham resident Divin Mubama, now playing for Manchester City, as an example of the excellent work that goes on at the Academy of Football.
“I think at that sort of time, when we were in the Championship, people like Anton Ferdinand, who is doing an incredible job as a Club Ambassador, really brought us together,” Ako confirmed. “I think my favourite players from around that era would be Marlon Harewood and Nigel Reo-Coker. We had a rich history of bringing Black players into the starting XI, but we never really had a massive group of them. Seeing yourself reflected on the pitch and hearing all of the people around you cheer for people who look like you was really strong. I can't really describe how it felt.
“It was really special [having Reo-Coker as captain of the Club] because these are people who are stalwarts at West Ham. They represented the Club outwardly and also held the values of the Club inwardly. So to see that Black players like Reo-Coker do that felt really special because he was respected for what he put in on the pitch. He was someone who embodied the Club, and for me, it’s good to feel like somebody who looks like me can embody the Club.
“We’ve got so many Black ambassadors at the Club. It’s really exciting to see that the people the Club considers true stalwarts are our ambassadors and representatives. These are people who have shown they are committed to our diverse future and are based there on merit and not anything else. It’s very exciting.
“I think our Academy is such a nice reflection of the surrounding areas of the Club. Newham is extremely diverse, and it was great to see players like Divin [Mubama], who was a true Newham boy, move up the ranks and represent the Club at the top level. He won’t be the only one!
“I do think [West Ham have power to really change things in football]. I think we wax a lot of lyrical about particular issues, but I feel as if football clubs such as West Ham really drive these forces, it may help shift culture and help shift thinking.”
Philippa also helped the Club to launch our Away kit ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, while also becoming a regular member of the award-winning Black female-led football podcast ‘Goal Diggers’.
Over the years, she has amassed many hundreds of memories while following her beloved West Ham, but it’s the FA Cup final of 2006 that sticks out, despite being denied a fourth FA Cup triumph after a topsy-turvy encounter with Liverpool.
“It was really special [to work with the Club] and it was really nice to know that my efforts of representing the Club for Goal Diggers weren't unnoticed,” said Ako. “That campaign was all about the fans and people who are into the Club, and that people who look like me and women as well are a part of that.
“It was super exciting to be a part of the Away kit launch, and to be one of the first to get my hands on the new kit made me feel as if I was part of an elite club. It was so lovely to work with your Club and was a real pinch me moment. I’m super grateful that the Club recognised me and the work I’ve done with Goal Diggers.
“I think football is culture, and culture is football, and all of the amazing creative things that have come out of this particular sport can't really be rivalled by many others. You’ve got so many young, fresh content creators who have built careers for themselves through football. I really hope they [the fans] appreciate my perspective on the Club and they’re listening to what I think about how we did that week or season. I like to think I also speak for those who aren’t part of the big six and give a different perspective on what it’s like to be a football fan of a Premier League Club that isn’t necessarily winning things all of the time. I joined the podcast in 2022, and it’s just really nice to chat with kindred spirits about football. It’s not just about our own teams; it’s about the love of the game and sport completely. It can really inspire a new generation and make them feel like they wanted in their scene.
“There are so many different memories that I could go to, but I really always like to talk about the 2006 FA Cup final. I didn't go to the game, but there was a little old lady who lived opposite, and she sat outside and listened to the whole match on her radio with her scarf on. I think that was a moment when I just felt really special. It's nice because it's not just a Club, it's pretty much in the fabric of the community of that part of east London. That was a moment when I really felt really connected and proud to support a Club such as West Ham."
