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The new Stadium Store was formally opened by Mark Noble
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The John Lyall Gates have been re-located to the Stadium Store
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The Lyall family feel it is the ultimate tribute
The opening of the new state-of-the-art Stadium Store on Queen Elizabeth Park was a historic day for West Ham United, but for the Lyall family in particular it had extra significance.
John Lyall will always be regarded as one of the greatest managers in the Club's history having won the FA Cup back in 1975 and 1980 and steering the Hammers to their highest ever finish in the top flight when they finished third in 1986.
Having spent 15 memorable years in charge of West Ham United, Lyall was honoured by the Club, with the main gates at the Boleyn Ground being named in his memory in December 2009.
With the Hammers making a historic move into the new Stadium during the summer, the Club have ensured that three leaves of the iconic gates have been relocated to the Stadium Store in tribute to the legendary manager.
Club skipper Mark Noble formally opened the new Store on Thursday and to mark the occasion, wife of the late John Lyall Yvonne, his son Murray and daughter-in-law Samantha were in attendance to see the gates in their new home.
It proved to be an emotional moment for the Lyall family when they saw the gates for the first time and the big screens showing Lyall as both a player and a manager - a moment they will never forget.
Lyall's late wife Yvonne, said: “They are absolutely superb and John would be very proud of them so I want thank everyone at West Ham United.
“The pictures of him as both a player and manager on the big screens were superb.”
John's son Murray, added: “It is the ultimate tribute to my late father. We have to thank the owners Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold and Baroness Brady.
“They promised us a fitting tribute and it has exceeded anything we expected. We have come to a new facility but have still got the history of something coming along from the Boleyn Ground.
“We didn't envisage the planning that has gone into it. There are a number of entrances into the new venue and the Club have done everything to put it in the right place.
“It has certainly been an emotional day. The last year has not been the easiest but we would not have missed this for the world.
“Dad would have relished this move to the new Stadium and he would have loved to have someone like Mark Noble in his squad so that was fitting as well. The little guy Payet has got something special as well!”