Country: USA
How long have you been a Hammer? I've been a Hammer for as long as I can remember. West Ham United means more to me than anything in this world. I have a cousin in London who is from Romford, he gave me West Ham as my team when I was a little kid over 20 years ago.
Growing up in Boston, Massachusetts there is nothing more important than sports. The Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics dictate life here. As a young kid I used to get bullied for always wearing my West Ham hat to school every single day, but that did not stop me. Once a Hammer always a Hammer!
What is your first memory of West Ham United? My first real memory of West Ham was the 2006 FA FA Cup final. My cousin Lee made the journey to the game, we watched every second of it rooting on West Ham and looking for my cousin and Uncle on TV.
When Gerrard’s screamer hit the back of the net my heart sank! I was flying so high saying we're going to do this! We're going to do this! But when that ball hit the back of the net and Liverpool finished it out on penalties my dreams, much like bubbles, fade and died. I wear the scar of that game into every game now it's the hurt that makes us stronger!
What is your favourite memory? This is going to be what every person writes but I'm not going to lie to the good people of West Ham United; The 2023 Europa Conference League final. My cousin sent me a programme from the game that I still have framed on my wall and tap for good luck before every game.
This game was magic, it was the culmination of all the scars over the years. The culmination of all the dreams that fade and die. The culmination of great ownership and management putting the right team on the pitch! Benrahma's penalty was a feeling like none other only to be topped in the 89th minute by my two favourite players. I couldn't sleep that night. Even with the time change I was up wall night watching every angle of Paqueta’s pass and watching Bowen sneak it past the Fiorentina keeper over and over. This team brought an American boy to tears.
Favourite player, past or present? Jarrod Bowen is my favourite present player. Bowen became my favourite player very quickly after the transfer from Hull City. I love his tenacity, his cleverness, and of course his beautiful scoring boot! I wear number 20 whenever I play a sport in honour of Bowen.
When he made his first start against Southampton I knew he was going to be my favourite player after his first goal with the club. But what makes Jarrod extremely special is from all accounts he's an extraordinary person.
My favourite past player is Declan Rice. I thought about saying Dimitri Payet who certainly gave me some thrills. But the reason Declan Rice is my favourite player is how he embodied everything a footballer should be. If you created the perfect captain in a lab Declan Rice would come walking out. On the pitch he was a defensive wizard, off the field he made all the right comments. And most importantly Dec always made time for the kids which is why I revered him the most. I could never bring myself to boo Declan Rice he will always hold a special place in my heart.