- Joint-Chairman David Gold guest of honour at ‘Any Old Irons’ Afternoon Tea
- East Ham Working Men’s Club hosted joint initiative of Friends of the Elderly and West Ham United Foundation
- Scheme helps Hammers aged 65 and over to stay in touch with their fellow fans
West Ham United Joint-Chairman David Gold returned to his native Upton Park as guest of honour at the ‘Any Old Irons’ Afternoon Tea.
Mr Gold joined fans aged 65 and over at East Ham Working Men’s Club, where he spent an afternoon swapping stories with his fellow Hammers.
A joint initiative of Friends of the Elderly and West Ham United Foundation, Any Old Irons is part of the Football Friends programme, which gives participants the opportunity to connect with other fans and locals in their community, bringing them together for fun and friendship.
Those attending can also learn how to stay in touch with their fellow fans and the club using digital technology, but this time around it was a Q&A session with the Joint-Chairman that took centre-stage.
“It makes us feel good and I feel good for coming along,” Mr Gold told West Ham TV. “People said ‘Shouldn’t you be at the office’ but this makes me feel good and like I’m contributing to the community in which I grew up.
“West Ham United is not just about 90 minutes and the match itself, but all the community work that goes on in the background, which is invaluable.
“This is an opportunity for people which is fantastic because they are sharing stories. When I mentioned Ernie Gregory (the goalkeeper who spent more than 50 years at the Club as a player and coach), 20 hands went up because they remember him and they feel part of the community and part of everything.”
West Ham United is not just about 90 minutes and the match itself, but all the community work that goes on in the background, which is invaluable
Joint-Chairman David Gold
“One thing that someone said is that Any Old Irons is like a family once you step into it, because everyone supports West Ham and shares that passion,” he said. “As soon as you come into this environment, you feel at home.”
Season Ticket Holder Josephine Roberts was one of the lifelong supporters who enjoyed a free Afternoon Tea at the Working Men’s Club, which sits just a few yards from the Hammers’ former Boleyn Ground home.
“This has given me a whole new aspect on life, meeting new people and keeping those friendships going, the whole continuity of it has been wonderful,” she confirmed.
“It’s wonderful what they are doing,” agreed fellow Season Ticket Holder Steve Maynard, “and I cannot praise the people who run it for us enough.”
Launched in November 2016, Any Old Irons is possible thanks to funding and resource provided by West Ham United Foundation, Friends of the Elderly, the Premier League and PFA. The PL/PFA Fund supports community projects delivered by professional football clubs, by allowing them to work in partnership with local agencies and charities who deliver programmes that will help and support those taking part. The Fund allows clubs to focus on areas of need for their local community and develop partnerships that will look to address these.
Supporters aged 65 and over interested in attending future Any Old Irons events should call Friends of the Elderly on 0330 332 1110.