About
I’m 44, live in Tunbridge Wells and am a radio and TV presenter, with my own show on the new political internet TV channel 18 Doughty Street. I also write Britain’s most widely read political blog, Iain Dale’s Diary, which I update four or five times a day. But when I’m not tarting about the media or doing my politics I’m invariably at Upton Park experiencing the highs and lows that every West ham supporter goes through.
I’ve supported the Hammers through thick and thin since 1974 and been a season ticket holder since 1991. I sit in Row X of the Dr Martens Stand lower tier, not too far from the dug outs. I used to be in the East Stand Upper, which to be honest I preferred. I sit with the same group of people I have done for 15 years, who include a good friend of mine John Parry, the managing director of Cosmos holidays and also Glen Roeder’s brother in law!
HOW I BECAME A HAMMER
I shall whisper this, because it’s a tad embarrassing, when I was a kid I was a Man U supporter. Well, it was natural, I lived in Essex! However, I saw the light when I was about ten years old and switched to supporting the Hammers. I think it was because my best friend at primary school, Roger Sizer, supported them. I vaguely remember going to see them play Cambridge United in a testimonial game in the early 1970s (can’t find details of it on the net) and that was what finally did it. My first game at Upton Park came in 1977, when we lost 1-0 to Chelsea. I stood in the lower tier of the West Stand,, very near to where my current seat is. I remember walking along Green Street and seeing a series of fights. It’s not like than now!
More to come… check back!
January 7, 2007 at 12:12 am
You used to be a United fan? Gosh, you really do want to keep that one quiet!
January 7, 2007 at 1:29 am
Aye, that United thing is worrying - especially as it would likely include the O’Farrell and Docherty teams of the early 70’s and some very dodgy playing strips…….. I’ve been a supporter since the age of 4 in 1964 (I had no choice - my Dad….) but now live in the US and only ever get to see them on FoxSports, so the more decent gossip/chat/blog, the better……..
January 8, 2007 at 11:26 am
Just a note to wish you the very best with this site, Iain. My own first home game was a little bit before yours, since I turned up for Trevor Brooking’s début (a 3-3 ‘victory’ against Burnley) and I was also lucky enough to see Moore, Peters and (my favourite) Geoff Hurst more or less in their prime.
Some years later, I was fortunate to make it to Wembley a few times with the Hammers, and even saw Brooking’s unlikely header to beat Arsenal in 1980.
But it hasn’t always been an easy road, as I’m sure you will agree, and the scars of Mr Gerrard’s boot at Cardiff last May will take some time to heal.
Let’s hope for the best, and that all the players stay. At least three goals against Brighton is a start. We can but dream, since nightmares are all too familiar.
Cheers
- Roads
January 13, 2007 at 8:39 pm
Iain
My first view of West Ham was in November 1968. A full strength West Ham came down for a testimonial at Hartsdown Park, Margate. It was to celebrate the achievements former Hammers player Almer Hall, who had become Margate manager in 1950.
I still remember Moore, Peters & Hurst on that famous slope. The crowd was around 5000 and for the record the score ended up 6 apiece.
In 1959, West Ham were also the opposition when they came to play Margate. This was a match to celebrate the erection of new floodlights.
January 26, 2007 at 3:27 am
Ah, I see you made it to WordPress after all. And already in Top 100 Blogs: congratulations.
February 18, 2007 at 7:34 pm
iain, just found youre site,brilliant !
been a hammer for 38 years and reading all the different comments gave me a wry smile !
we will never win the title but you just cant help loving our club.
keep up the good work and will be in touch soon,
regards,
sean.
May 3, 2007 at 11:48 pm
I’m west ham till I die. and I hate Milwal
May 14, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Great site mate, liked the article about Keep/Sell even though I think Reo-Coker has turned a corner. Keep up the good work, Come on you irons!
May 17, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Hi
Nice blog, it’s the true measure of footy I think when although one may not agree with the content all the times, it’s good to see the all sides of a debate. Used to have a bit of a soft spot for West Ham, but I think the general barometer of support has swayed a lot with tevezgate. It’s not really WHUFC’s fault entirely, but it’s opened a massive can of worms as it’s not been dealt with correctly from day one, and every attempt to resolve has blundered from one farce to another. What’s not in question is WH’s form and the fact they played their way out of trouble, which is admirable.
Nice to see you being honest about being a former spawn of Satan though! To be expected coming from the fertile breeding ground of Man utd fans, but at least you saw sense though. One last thing, do you think there’s a bit of a similarity with WH and Liverpool/MUFC in that there does seem to be a large amount of favouritism embedded in the media and the FA/Prem League? Hard to imagine Charlton, Boro, Watford, Wigan et all getting as fair coverage/treatment as yourselves did I feel.
Will keep an eye on your blog, have a proper read through, and when get me fledgling effort you can check back and jib me in return!
Cheers
PS. Cheers for cashing in Lucas Neill, at least staying up has got the Biscuitman thinking about the wisdom in paying an inflated salary for him & Upson now his get out clauses wont be invoked (as yet) LOL
May 17, 2007 at 6:02 pm
Good blog ! i am read every day. so.. i am started web site (blog) - westham.org.ua please link to me on Blogroll
May 24, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Iain, great news and very informative. Can I subcribe to this sites mailing list?
Come on you Irons
May 28, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Just came across your Site and just wanted to say keep upthe good work…C’MON U IRONS & KEEP the FAITH….ps we must sit right behind you nearly..Centenery side of dug out
June 4, 2007 at 6:43 am
I love claret & blue!
Up the Hammers!
June 9, 2007 at 8:40 am
LOL, You were a ManU fan! Nice! Nice blog there mate
Do visit ours. Infant in many terms, but every giant is a baby at first.
June 10, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Hi; I have suported the Hammers from 10years old and I am nearly 60! Season ticket holder with my son since 1995 but used to go to all home games anyway b4 getting season ticket.
I will never and will not ever support any other club and the thought of supporting the reds just about makes me feel sick. I am glad you have seen the light and support a proper club now!
All the best. J C
June 11, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Hehehe! Nice!
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July 3, 2007 at 8:57 pm
good site iain, again, keep up the good work ere. we are not the biggest club by far but our fanbase/ support has 2 be admired by other clubs. big up all the fans who gave it all over thick n thin. we’ve had sore throats, rowed with da missus cos she wants 2 go lakeside, got drunk on a saturday whilst singing the bubbles wearing a huge smile, getin drunk on a saturday whilst blubberin like u were 13 again. we make west ham what it is…….THE BEST CLUB IN THE WORLD 2 SUPPORT! I LOVE U WEST HAM!! blubber blubber sniff snivvle ……….Hooky da hammer, 31 yrs
July 26, 2007 at 6:16 pm
ian westham played a joint cambridge and southend team at cambrige in a testimonial in the 71 72 season ithink that must have been the game you went to but couldnt get details for if you need more info get in touch
August 13, 2007 at 12:57 am
Hello Iain, yes it looks like you have well organized blog. West Ham is a working class area & it’s supporters are among the most loyal & passionate in the world. I was born & grew up there & live in Oz now. My Grandpa was a WW1 vet & lived in West ham all his life till he died at 89. I saw the 64 cup side & when West Ham won the World Cup for England. My loyalties are obvious. The internet & Foxsports are my lifeline to West Ham. I understand the Man. Utd. thing as i have a teenage son who has played out here since he was three & he supports Manchester. At least you have been healed. I coach at youth level & find that the standard of football here is improving. I think the last three or four years have been turbulent for the club but that Mr. Magnusson is the right man to take us forward. I hope he is in for the long haul though. Good Luck. Fortunes always hiding.
August 15, 2007 at 10:15 am
Hi Iain,
I have supported the hammers from oz, since my hero,mervyn day was in goal. We get about 5 live games each weekend.so I get to watch the claret and blue often!
Good luck with the site.
September 3, 2007 at 11:24 am
Check out this site for premiership and all footy goals
http://www.footytube.com/2007/09/01/reading-vs-west-ham/
September 16, 2007 at 4:47 pm
My cousin and I had similar team choice issues growing up. It’s natural as a kid to support the biggest name or the winningest team.
December 16, 2007 at 11:34 am
Iain can you please change the URL on the Ironworker link to http://cmonyuirons.blogspot.com/ whenever its convenient, thanks
December 28, 2007 at 1:17 pm
Thanks for a great fan blog.
As a “yank”, I get the luxury of enjoying all the great football in the EPL, but for some reason I particularly enjoy watching the Hammers when they’re on.
I felt a particular kinship to your “about” story, as my late father purchased season tickets to the (then Boston, now New England) Patriots thier first year (1960), so I grew up going to the games and watching a woeful team for over thirty years. Now they’re brilliant of course, and everyone thinks Pats fans are bandwagoners!
Thanks again for the inspirational blog. I’ve just started one of my own.
http://steviethek.wordpress.com
January 3, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Saw you on chanel 442 the other day and enjoyed the game showed which was our 2-3 away win at Arsenal.
Funny that when we were 3-1 up it was showing that Arsenak were 3-2 up instead of West Ham.
At the bottom of the screen it kept updating correctly though but strange none the less.
Yes,442 chanel is very good.
January 15, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Iain, what’s up with your Premier League Fantasy Team?
Iain Dale’s Hammers.
Can’t be bothered to manage them? Not one single transfer all season and you’re languishing in a lowly position in your own league!!
Maybe you need The Special One or Big Sam to come and manage them for you?
January 28, 2008 at 8:09 pm
HELLOOOOOOO, much I’m trying to develop a blog newspaper in which the articles are written by blogger WordPress (or to limit if you do not have time can I you myself when an article by your blog and they to your blog…).
The blog newspaper was born with the intention to give greater visibility to your blog and the people who search the Web to find articles of greater quality in a single place (having regard to the thousands of blog born every day…). If you go exchange links with blog newspaper contact me as well. I thank you advance and to http://www.giornale.fm soon
March 21, 2008 at 10:50 am
Alright Iain, Great website. I was like you but not a red. I was given an Ajax shirt when very young and wore that everywhere, thankfully the time of Van Basten, Seedorf, and many more, then when watching the Big Match saw John Barnes play for Watford, that was it, John Barnes was my hero and living Watford i was able to watch him play for the hornets. After they sold him i couldn’t go anymore and just concentrated on playing, couldn’t bring myself to wear a liverpool shirt. Then i saw the light, i began 4 weeks work experience at WHU and loved every minute of it, meeting the players, talking to Billy Bonds, eating lunch on the pitch, going to chadwell heah, fell in love with theC+B, been a hammers for more then 1/2 my ilfe now and never looked back. Thankfully still see JB on channel 5!
March 24, 2008 at 1:03 am
Hi Iain
Just came across your website and I hope to be a regular visitor. My Dad took me to my first West Ham game (FA Cup 4th Round vs Stockport County) on 25th January 1958 just a couple of days after my 10th birthday, a belated present if memory serves.
From then on we were regular home supporters with Dad and I lining up outside the old Chicken Run from 12pm so that I could get a good view “against the bar”. I was privileged to see some of the best, including the rise of Bobby Moore et al in the Colts. My Dad used to go to any home game he could including the reserves and A-Team. I saw them win the FA Cup and Cup Winners Cup in their 60’s heyday.
I have been a Hammers supporter ever since. Although have lived away from the UK since 1975 and therefore difficult for me to get along to Upton Park. I now live in Perth, Western Australia. Thankfully to Sky (Foxtel over here) I get to see a lot of matches and always the highlights -sometimes lowlights.