A little observation

When Bill Shankly said football was more important than life and death, I like to think he meant it. Yes, we know it's just a game - but what I think he meant was that football may be a game, but still it's more than that.

It's your club (whether West Ham, Millwall or Carlisle); you grew up with it, you go with family and friends; bonds you make inside that football ground last, and there's a reason for that. Although it's perhaps 'sad', it does matter - and I'm not ashamed to say it.

I feel sorry for those who just don't get it; people that give you funny looks if you say you support a team that's not Manchester United or Chelsea or Arsenal, or question why you'd want to get up at 5am in order to travel to Wigan, knowing full well your 'sh*t' team will only lose. Sod 'em.

I had a tear in my eye when my grandad and I walked up those steps at the Millennium Stadium to see our team, little old Millwall in the FA Cup Final. I'll remember it even more at his funeral - but I'm glad I had that moment. I'm glad something as silly as a club with no chance of winning anything brought us together.

This is football, this is life in all its painful glory. My family have suffered some serious problems this past few years - like many others out there I'm sure - but you know what? Somehow we found a ray of sunshine on May 22nd and that can't be a bad thing, can it?

My club Millwall, we've had to go through these things - and if we can do it, so can West Ham. I'm certain that no matter what, 25,000 - at least - will stick by you, and with that kind of of support you'll always bounce back. It may be next season, it could be in 10 years time - but it will happen, and it will feel great because you went through all that crap in the meantime.

Trust me. That's what the FA Cup Final was like for 'Wall fans - a sort of vindication of our support through all of the above and more.

So Manchester United or Crewe, bring 'em on I say, because after all we are there to support our clubs - and that's all that matters. So get back down to Upton Park and raise the roof once again - and we'll see you next season.

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