West Ham United first-team stars Tomáš Souček, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Scarles teamed up with Topps, an Official Licensing Partner of the Club, to surprise lifelong Hammers fan and card collector Daniel Thomas at Rush Green training ground earlier this summer.
Daniel, from Canvey Island, works as a train driver in east London and is responsible for transporting Hammers fans to games at London Stadium but, over the past year, has curated an impressive portfolio of rare and valuable trading cards and has collected some of the most sought-after West Ham collectibles.
While the practice of collecting and exchanging cards dedicated to sports stars is nothing new, Dan decided to start collecting the official West Ham autograph cards in 2024 and was soon chasing some of the rarest Topps memorabilia in the world, which has seen him spend thousands of pounds building his collection, working with fellow fans and card collectors across all different corners of the world, and connecting via Instagram and online fan groups in a bid to complete a number of different sets.
The 38-year-old, who started supporting the Club at a very young age and was even a mascot back at the Boleyn Ground in 1995, was given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Rush Green before, unbeknownst to him, three of his idols turned up unannounced.
Having been greeted by Souček, Ward-Prowse and Scarles, who were blown away with Dan’s incredible collection, the quartet spent time going through a number of his different cards, which included a Souček 1/1, the only card of its kind in existence, before the boys signed Dan’s memorabilia and presented him with a special ‘No1 Collector’ shirt.
Commenting on the surprise, Dan said: “It's been a really good day, and I wasn't expecting it. The players were really interested in the collection, and I appreciate them taking time out of their busy schedules for me.
“I didn't know what to expect. I was just told to come down to the training ground and bring my set of cards.
“It's weird that the players on the cards were then holding their own cards. It was pretty mad, and when I first bought a box [of Topps cards], it's something you wouldn't expect to happen.
“It was really interesting to chat with the players, telling them about the cards and giving them some information, which they didn't already know. Ollie [Scarles] said he didn't even know he had that card, and Tomáš is one of the players that I've got his 1/1, so he really liked that one!
“Now I've collected it, the collection means a lot to me. You get offers from people to buy it off you, but I don't think I'd ever sell it.
“It's an achievement to collect them all. It's West Ham as well, so that makes it even better. I’m really delighted with my collection.”
Also proudly displayed alongside his collection of Topps cards was a framed picture of Dan as a mascot at the Boleyn Ground in 1995, while he still holds a collection of autographs in his mascot book from that fixture.
“My Dad grew up two roads away from the Boleyn Ground, so I was always going to be a West Ham fan,” Dan continued.
“I’ve always loved football. I went down to Upton Park and was a mascot in 1995, and I've just always loved West Ham. Everyone who knows me knows I support West Ham. It's just me.
“I had a Season Ticket, but now I'm a train driver, so I'm driving the West Ham fans to the games, so I still feel I'm doing my part, but I want to take my two daughters to their first games soon.
“I collected football stickers at primary school, and I've always liked signed stuff. It brings back memories of being a child and collecting your cards and stickers.
“I've still got my signed mascot book, and I think that's what started it. As I got older, we'd go to games, but we'd get there early to get stuff signed. My collection grew with shirts and boots and bits like that.
“But there's only so many walls you've got in your house. I saw the cards last year and realised I could still collect them, and they don't take up much room. It was pretty much tailor-made for me.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to collect some of the rarest West Ham cards in existence, and no-one else can have that, especially the 1/1s, as you're the only one who has got that card.
“The cards have come from around the world, from Hong Kong, China, the USA and the UK. A lot of it's through eBay, where you can bid on cards, but you've just got to be quick.
“A lot of people on my Instagram message me and ask if I’m interested in specific cards, while I help others with their sets as well, so there's a big community on there, and it’s a brilliant one to be a part of.”
Dan's most treasured cards include a Paolo Di Canio 1/1, while he also holds a dual autograph Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paquetá card, which for him brings back fond memories of the moment Paquetá assisted Bowen’s winning goal in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
“My favourite card is the [Paolo] Di Canio 1/1,” added Dan.
“I've not seen many signed Di Canio cards, and he’s idolised by the West Ham supporters. If you ask any fan to name their top five players, I could almost guarantee for most people Di Canio is in there.
“My second is probably the Bowen-Paquetá dual autograph card from when we won the Conference League. I think there's only 16 of them, so that was hard to get hold of.
“I'm trying to get as low-numbered for the set as I can. I think I've got six 1/1s now, and I’m looking to add as many more as I can, but I know it’s going to be hard.
“I know where a few of them are just now, but it's just hunting them down. It's like a needle in a haystack trying to find them!”
After meeting Daniel, Czech midfielder Souček was quick to heap praise on the lengths he has gone to achieve such a remarkable collection of Topps cards.
“We were happy to work with Topps to invite Daniel to the training ground,” said Souček.
“We were impressed with the collection of cards that he has assembled, and we were inspired by his commitment and effort. It was really interesting to learn about his collection and my 1/1 card that’s very rare.
“We all hope Daniel enjoyed today as much as all of us enjoyed meeting him and learning more about his incredible collection.”
