West Ham fans and former players convened at The Shire golf course in Barnet this week to raise money at West Ham United Foundation’s biggest and most important fundraiser of the year, raising approximately £60,000.
Supported by Patron Corporate Partner, Paragon, as well as hole sponsors, AMG Waterproofing and Shawbrook Bank, the Foundation uses golf as a vehicle to raise crucial funds for its community programmes.
The event was graced by Claret and Blue icons, such as father and son duo Alvin and David Martin, Paul Brush, George Parris, Kenny Brown, ‘Mad Dog’ Martin Allen, John Moncur, Stuart Slater, Jimmy Walker, Matt Jarvis, James Collins and Matty Etherington.
Rated the number one golfing experience in London, the morning fourballs at The Shire were an opportunity for West Ham fans to get up close and personal with some of the players they have revered over the years.
One such boyhood Hammer was wheelchair tennis star, Andy Lapthorne. Having just competed at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup qualifiers at the weekend, the 17-time Grand Slam champion made the 2,300-mile trip from Antalya to support the Foundation’s Golf Day.
“I was in Turkey the night before and only arrived home at 2am,” he chuckled. “I know how important today is for the Foundation, raising money for all their community programmes, so I really wanted to show my support.”
Joined by childhood friend Jack, the pair teamed up with ‘Chopper’ Stuart Slater and West Ham United Academy Manager Kenny Brown for the 18 holes.
“My dad knows them both, and I’m well versed in the history of the Club, so I know them quite well!” he continued. “I’ve seen plenty of clips of Stuart during his early playing days at West Ham. Two really nice down-to-earth guys just chatting all things West Ham. It was a real laugh!”
Earlier this season, Lapthorne was joined by Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal for a Foundation-led wheelchair tennis activation involving Jade – a university student on the WHUF Sports Coaching & Performance course – also living with cerebral palsy. A keen advocate of inclusive sports, it is days like these that emphasise for Lapthorne the importance of the Club’s work in the community championing inclusivity.
He said: “Activations like those are so inspiring for people with disabilities. Especially for young people; it shows them that it is possible to do sport. To have West Ham players support it too is simply amazing, because the media spreads the message even further.
“For me, being a wheelchair user, it’s so important to spread the message that being in a wheelchair doesn’t impede you from doing the sport you love and achieving great things. Having Souček and Coufal get in the wheelchairs and throw themselves about and have a go was fantastic.”
James Collins, also a spirited supporter of the Foundation’s work, participated in his third straight charity golf day.
He said: “It’s a real privilege to still be involved at the Club in this capacity. The Foundation are a massive part of the Club; it was the case when I was playing too. Me and the boys would often go out and drop in on the community programmes and see the amazing work being done to support local people.”
Having recently attended the Foundation’s Twinning project – a programme which sees the Club deliver coaching and literacy qualifications to inmates of HMP Chelmsford, preparing them for life upon release – ‘Ginge’ is also well aware of the difference the funds can make in inspiring better futures.
“Days like this create the opportunities to do that type of work,” he continued. “As a keen golfer, it was a no brainer to get involved once again!"
Adding to the entertainment, trick shot artist Kevin Carpenter amazed everyone with his outrageous tricks and unique props, including a seven-foot driver and a unicycle, thoroughly engaging the players before they got into the swing of things for the shotgun start. In addition to mingling with West Ham legends throughout the 18 holes, players were then treated to a club cleaning service.
Following the golf, players returned to the clubhouse - joined by additional guests - for a dinner party consisting of a raffle and auction, hosted by Jimmy Walker, all while enjoying post-round drinks, a three-course meal and golf prize giving.
The dinner proceedings also featured a Q&A session with West Ham legends, which will be remembered by those in the room for a touching moment between Alvin Martin and his son David. Alvin, who despite representing England at a World Cup and making 469 appearances for the Hammers – including the campaign which saw him score a famous hat-trick and record their highest ever First Division finish – described his proudest moment as being in the stands to watch David make his debut in Claret and Blue.
Kenny Brown summed up the day by saying: “There’s a passion to do good at West Ham. We know we’ve got a bigger responsibility than football. The Foundation do unbelievable work that perhaps doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, so anything us at the Club and the Academy can do to raise awareness as well as funds is really important.”
With comprehensive support from Paragon throughout the event, from assets to volunteers, plus a fourball team, there was lots to be proud of for their CEO and Hammers fan Dave Reynolds.
"We've worked with the Foundation for many years, and we've seen the life-changing difference it makes which aligns with our values too," he said.
"Our staff really enjoy getting involved in these events and supporting the work of the Foundation, so it's a great thing for us, personally and as a company, to be part of."
The magnitude of the event means planning for next year’s edition is already underway. If you would like to support or have any questions about participating, please do not hesitate to reach out to WHU Foundation Fundraising Manager Hannah Waldron at [email protected] with any queries you may have on how to get involved.
