WEST Ham United's players have made an appeal to all those fans
attending Friday's clash with Sunderland to get to their seats
early and help create a memorable atmosphere under the famous
floodlights at Upton Park.
For the players involved, the atmosphere generated inside the
Boleyn Ground at last season's Play-off semi-final
second-leg against Ipswich was the best they have ever experienced
in their careers. Now Alan Pardew's team are backing the
Hammers faithful to make it another brilliant night at Upton Park
on Friday.
Fans are urged to take their seats at least 20 minutes before the
7.45pm kick-off and help build a cauldron of noise and support
inside the Boleyn Ground, with the help of Hammers matchday compere
Jeremy Nicholas.
Striker Marlon Harewood: "When the crowd are at their best
Upton Park is one of the greatest places to play football. I know
because I was lucky enough to be part of that memorable night in
the Play-off semi-finals against Ipswich last season.
"That was a fantastic atmosphere and it's that kind of
positive feeling we want to generate before Friday's game
against Sunderland. It's a huge match for West Ham United and
the players are going into it focused on taking all three points.
"A win would make a huge difference to our Play-off chances
and that's why we need the whole of Upton Park behind us on
Friday."
Former England star Teddy Sheringham added: "We're urging
fans to get into the ground as early as possible and really build a
tremendous atmosphere inside the stadium.
"As a player, there is no greater feeling than running out
into a packed stadium with the atmosphere crackling. During those
20 minutes before kick-off it's going to be really important to
get Upton Park rumbling, because the players can hear that in the
dressing room and coming up the tunnel, and there's no greater
motivation for a player than to hear what the occasion means to the
fans.
"It's a massive game and I've got no doubt that the
atmosphere will be just as big."
Christian Dailly was captain of the side that won on that famous
night against Ipswich almost a year ago, and scored the Hammers
second goal. He knows just what an incredible place the Boleyn
Ground can be under floodlights.
"Memories of that game against Ipswich will stay with me
forever," he recalled. "It was an incredible occasion and
that's what we need to build inside Upton Park on Friday. This
is a must win game and I'm sure the fans will create an
atmosphere worthy of the occasion.
"Under floodlights, in a game as vital as this, Upton
Park is just a spectacular arena for football. The fans are the
ones that make it. Their support and the atmosphere they are
capable of creating is unbelievable, and the players are hoping to
be involved in another of those memorable nights at Upton Park on
Friday.
"Hopefully, the ground will be packed full well before
kick-off, with all the Hammers fans helping to build one of those
incredible atmosphere's that only Upton Park can
create."
Hammers Early Appeal
28th April 2005