Heineken’s ‘Cheers To’ campaign aims to celebrate the commitment of West Ham United fans around the world, rewarding a handful of individuals with football experiences they’ll truly never forget.
The final Hammer to feature in the series to tell her remarkable story is 77-year-old lifelong fan, Eileen Wade. She has supported and helped several fellow supporters overcome loneliness, making as many people as possible feel a part of the West Ham family. This alongside being part of a generation of family members who have loyally backed the club for over 100 years.
Born in Newham, Eilleen is a proud member and secretary of ‘Any Old Irons’, the supporters’ group for over-65s aimed at tackling social exclusion and loneliness through social activities and digital inclusion.
One of Eilleen’s favourite memories includes seeing one of the Club’s most historic nights, when the Hammers lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965, as well as attending plenty of matches over the years with friends and family.
Eilleen has been at the forefront of tackling social inclusion and supporting fellow fans, having joined Any Old Irons in 2015. Since then, the group has grown to well over 100 fans, who meet monthly and build friendships around their love of West Ham United.
Her dedication has had a lasting impact on so many families, including those who may have lost loved ones, feel included and develop vital friendships, you will not find a better ambassador for the Club than Eileen.
Thanks to Heineken, James Ward-Prowse and Carlos Soler travelled to Eileen’s Newham home to surprise her on her doorstep with a host of gifts including her very own personalised shirt, homewares and a new scarf for Eileen to proudly wear at London Stadium next season.
“I’ve been a West Ham fan as long as I can remember,” she told the players. “I first went to West Ham in 1964 with one of my school friends whose Dad was a massive West Ham fan so we used to go with him, it just carried on from there! Now I am the secretary of the Any Old Irons, we meet once a month in the Boleyn pub. Over the years I’ve helped lots of people join us, I always try to be supportive. We’ve done fundraising, collecting money with the buckets and I always try to do stuff with the Foundation as well.
“West Ham is like a family, we all try to look after each other, it’s not just football – football is the tie – but everything else goes on even more than the football really. It really is a family Club.”
Ward-Prowse was delighted to be able to give back to one of the Club’s longest serving fans.
He explained: “You can get carried away with the ups and downs of the results we have but, at the core of the Club when you break it down, it’s about these moments and giving back to the community.
Soler agreed: “I like to do these things so much because we are players but we are normal people and we like to do these types of moments. The fans are always with the team, with the Club, so they deserve this.”
Reflecting on Heineken’s surprise with Ward-Prowse and Soler, Eileen could not keep the smile off her face as the enjoyed a cup of tea with the midfielders.
“I’m just totally amazed!” she beamed. “It was so kind of them to take time out of their busy day to do this, it is just amazing the community and the spirit they have shown to come down to someone’s house.”
This is the latest in a series of fans Heineken have rewarded as part of the ‘Cheers To’ with the Club. Earlier this year James Collins surprised Anthony ‘Westy’ Pemberton at his Cardiff home which is a true shrine to West Ham United. The former Hammer travelled back to his home country to reward Westy with signed shirts and a whole host of Club goodies, as thanks for his tireless efforts helping children in the local community whilst battling sickle cell anaemia.
Heineken’s ‘Cheers To’ campaign aims to celebrate the commitment of West Ham United fans around the world, rewarding a handful of individuals with football experiences they’ll truly never forget.
