Farewell Boleyn - From the Terraces

Hammers fan Conor Window looks back at one of his best memories from the Boleyn Ground

Hammers fan Conor Window looks back at one of his best memories from the Boleyn Ground...



My best Boleyn Memory came last year at my first-ever FA Cup game against Everton in January 2015.


I was 15 at the time and it was my first year as a Season Ticket Holder. My Dad decided to book tickets for the game on our season cards.


I remember watching the match that lead to the third-round replay a week before and, although I saw Everton as our bogey team, I had great faith in the boys that they could get through.


That night I experienced the thrills of leading the game, and later on in extra-time the lows of being 2-1 down.


However, once Carlton Cole scored our equaliser, the whole crowd erupted with his chant and belief surged through every fan. Now the penalty shootout...


I was worried when it came to this, because we did not have a great amount of success when it came to penalties in the past, and when Stewart Downing missed his penalty, my heart sunk into my stomach and I was sure our amazing night was over.


My Dad couldn't even watch the penalty shootout! Too many bad memories I guess! But when Joel Robles hit the bar, I believed!


My initial thought when Adrian stepped up was that James Tomkins must be awful at penalties, seeing as the goalkeeper is in front of him in the order! (It later transpired that West Ham had to leave an outfield player of their list of penalty-takers, as Everton had had Aiden McGeady sent-off).


But as soon as I saw him throw those magical gloves off in his run-up, I could tell that ball was destined for the back of the net.


The whole of the stadium, yet alone the Bobby Moore Stand where I was sitting, went crazy when that penalty went in! It is to this day the best game I have ever witnessed.


Another amazing memory would be meeting Mark Noble and the Ferdinands at Mark's Testimonial. Rio signed my programme twice.


I also met David James at the Liverpool game, another magical FA Cup night under the glistening lights of Upton Park.


The last game of the season should be a memorable day, I was lucky enough to go to Old Trafford and witness that beautiful goal from Payet with my own eyes, along with that wonderful curling goal against Palace.


The fact that we came back from Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge, as well as City at home, with draws and be disappointed really shows how far the Club has come. I am very, very excited and proud to be a West Ham fan during the rise of the east.


COYI ??????


The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United