It was towards the end of last year I wrote a blog for KUMB saying never, in my 65 years-plus of supporting West Ham, had I felt so detached from the club that has been such a constant part of my life.
It was a statement that hurt! It felt like turning my back on an old and loyal friend! But judging by the comments posted in reply, it was a statement shared by an awful lot of others who felt just like me at that time.Since then of course we’ve had a few changes. Julen Lopetegui, a Head Coach I felt was totally wrong for us from the start, has been given his marching orders. Likewise Tim Steidten, whose public persona equally did very little to endear himself to me and others, has also left the building.
I certainly won’t shed any tears for either. We now have Graham Potter at the helm, a man I and many others felt should have been employed much sooner – the minute Sullivan decided he didn’t want David Moyes around any longer in fact.
Now, suddenly, I feel in a much better place. My appetite for the game has returned along with my affinity for the club.
I know we still have Sullivan at the very top with his trusted sidekick Karren Brady in tow to do his bidding. Sadly that partnership of ‘grim and grimmer’ isn’t going to disappear any time soon.
So, we will have to live with it a while longer. But at least on the field we are beginning to see a team we can relate to - and more importantly get behind. The players are now clearly and firmly behind Potter and likewise we should be once again be getting behind them.
When Baroness Brady did her recent interview with Sky Sports it predictably riled an awful lot of people. Like her boss, she has that uncanny knack the minute she opens her mouth.
Talk of the move back in 2016 and the false promises that accompanied it once again resurfaced all across social media. There were an awful lot of very angry people determined to have their say – as is their right.
I saw more than a few supporters claiming that was it. They were done with the club. Long-time season ticket holders who wouldn’t be renewing come the summer. What with the concessions saga, and a fresh rumour doing the rounds that we were going to be asked to stump up for season tickets for the 2025-26 season earlier than in previous seasons to help the club’s cash flow.
If ever there was a red rag to a bull that was it! Some were even suggesting in their opinion the club was done, too!
Understandable as it might be for comments like that to be said in the heat of the moment, I don’t believe that damning ad infinitum is true. The Roman Empire is done! The Victorians are done.
But irrespective of anyone’s emotional state of mind West Ham are still very much alive and kicking (pun intended), and where there is life there is hope. Right now I see far more hope than I have all season.
On Saturday morning, my son posted a photo of my two-year-old grandson all decked out in his claret and blue. A photo that warmed the cockles of my heart. A few hours later I was privileged to be amongst the travelling army of Hammers’ supporters crammed into the Emirates Stadium.
The ecstasy with which we first celebrated Jarrod Bowen’s stooping headed goal – and later the piercing shrill of Craig Pawson’s final whistle after 100 minutes – even though there was only supposed to be nine minutes added – had to be experienced to behold.
It signalled another memorable performance and abiding moment in that part of north London. A performance full of courage, endeavour and a willingness to run and work together and stand-up to be counted for the team, the supporters and the club.
In that moment – despite all the trials and tribulations of this disjointed season – it was clear when the team perform like that we the supporters – the true heartbeat of the club – will be with them every inch of the way.
Graham Potter and his first team squad on duty that day, to a man, stood applauding the travelling fans long after the rest of the ground had cleared of disgruntled Gooners. In return, the travelling 3,000 claret and blue army stood and applauded the team and the manager.
There was mutual appreciation between the two groups for all to see. An appreciation that bodes well for the future, I believe.
It’s not to say every game between now and the end of the season will be played out and finish in the same way. It would be naive for anyone to think that way. This is West Ham after all. Expect the unexpected is a by-word the old guard like me have had to live with over the years.
You win some, you lose some – that’s what being a Hammer is all about. But under Potter, I believe there is once again hope for a brighter future. An opportunity for a change in the negativity that was devouring our club. It won't happen overnight - but the signs are, at least, encouraging.
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