Three leaves of the iconic John Lyall Gates have begun their journey to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
A section of West Ham United’s iconic John Lyall Gates have begun their journey to the Club’s new home on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Following respectful discussions with the family of the late, great Hammers manager, the decision was taken to relocate three leaves of the landmark gates, which were originally constructed in 1956 before being renamed in Lyall’s honour in 2009.
The delicate task of removing the gates was completed on Monday, with installation at the new Stadium Store scheduled to take place later this week.
While the Gates would ideally have remained in place until the end of the Farewell Boleyn season, construction timelines dictate that this week’s move is necessary to ensure they receive pride of place in their new home.
A revered figure in West Ham’s history, Lyall led the Club to FA Cup glory in 1980, a record-breaking promotion to the First Division a year later and a best-ever top-flight finish of third in 1986.
The Hammers’ fifth full-time manager sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of 66, but his memory will now live on after the Club move to Stratford later this year.
Son Murray said he and the Lyall family are happy that the gates named in his father’s honour will be in position for fans to pay their respects for years to come.
“We’re honoured that Karren Brady has delivered on her promise to take the John Lyall Gates with us to the new Stadium,” he said. “That means so much to us as a family.
“Dad left a great legacy at Upton Park and the gates were a testimony to that. I think he’d have been thrilled about the move.
“He’d have said the timing was right and obviously since the new owners have come in, they’ve taken the Club forward on many, many fronts. The culmination of it is the move to the new Stadium.”
Over the last six decades, the gates have witnessed many scenes of jubilation among Hammers fans after West Ham’s home victories, but also moments of great sadness.
After the passing of Bobby Moore in February 1993, they were decked in flowers and shirts left in tribute to West Ham’s favourite son and similar scenes have followed annually on the anniversary of the legendary captain’s death.
Tributes were also paid following the sad passing of young Australian striker Dylan Tombides in April 2014.
The John Lyall Gates are now set to take pride of place inside the dedicated Club Store at the south entrance to the new Stadium.
For Hammers fans, the opportunity to visit the John Lyall Gates before every home game will act both as a reminder of those glory days, and of the heritage that the Club is bringing from the Boleyn Ground to our new home.
Supporters should keep a close eye on whufc.com and our social media channels for further announcements regarding the John Lyall Gates and the opening of their new home in Stratford.
Following respectful discussions with the family of the late, great Hammers manager, the decision was taken to relocate three leaves of the landmark gates, which were originally constructed in 1956 before being renamed in Lyall’s honour in 2009.
The delicate task of removing the gates was completed on Monday, with installation at the new Stadium Store scheduled to take place later this week.
While the Gates would ideally have remained in place until the end of the Farewell Boleyn season, construction timelines dictate that this week’s move is necessary to ensure they receive pride of place in their new home.
A revered figure in West Ham’s history, Lyall led the Club to FA Cup glory in 1980, a record-breaking promotion to the First Division a year later and a best-ever top-flight finish of third in 1986.
The Hammers’ fifth full-time manager sadly passed away in 2006 at the age of 66, but his memory will now live on after the Club move to Stratford later this year.
Son Murray said he and the Lyall family are happy that the gates named in his father’s honour will be in position for fans to pay their respects for years to come.
“We’re honoured that Karren Brady has delivered on her promise to take the John Lyall Gates with us to the new Stadium,” he said. “That means so much to us as a family.
“Dad left a great legacy at Upton Park and the gates were a testimony to that. I think he’d have been thrilled about the move.
“He’d have said the timing was right and obviously since the new owners have come in, they’ve taken the Club forward on many, many fronts. The culmination of it is the move to the new Stadium.”
Over the last six decades, the gates have witnessed many scenes of jubilation among Hammers fans after West Ham’s home victories, but also moments of great sadness.
After the passing of Bobby Moore in February 1993, they were decked in flowers and shirts left in tribute to West Ham’s favourite son and similar scenes have followed annually on the anniversary of the legendary captain’s death.
Tributes were also paid following the sad passing of young Australian striker Dylan Tombides in April 2014.
The John Lyall Gates are now set to take pride of place inside the dedicated Club Store at the south entrance to the new Stadium.
For Hammers fans, the opportunity to visit the John Lyall Gates before every home game will act both as a reminder of those glory days, and of the heritage that the Club is bringing from the Boleyn Ground to our new home.
Supporters should keep a close eye on whufc.com and our social media channels for further announcements regarding the John Lyall Gates and the opening of their new home in Stratford.