A sunny Sunday morning in New York City was capped off by Club legends Anton Ferdinand and Nigel Reo-Coker joining the New York City Hammers Official Supporters' Group to cheer on the Hammers during their 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
Despite a 9.15am kick-off in the Big Apple, the NYC Hammers were out in force, with an electric atmosphere at Smithfield Hall, the home of the group where they join together to watch the Club’s games every week.
Hammers legends Anton Ferdinand and Nigel Reo-Coker, joined by mascot Hammerhead, were in typically fine form as they handed out plenty of gifts to show the Club’s appreciation for the incredible support they receive from the USA. On an already fantastic and memorable day, it was capped off as over 3,300 miles away as Graham Potter’s side secured the Hammers' first Premier League victory at Old Trafford since 2007.
As the full time whistle was serenaded with ‘West Ham are massive everywhere they go’ at the watch party, Reo-Coker and Ferdinand took to the stage to share their love for the Club, reminisce on their playing days and answer questions during a Q&A session. There was a final surprise in store too, as goalscorer Tomáš Souček video called the NYC Hammers from pitchside at Old Trafford.
Speaking during the Q&A session, Reo-Coker said: “It’s been a really brilliant morning, great result and I have had a great time, I will absolutely be coming back, you can hold me to that one!. During my career I have been fortunate to travel around the world and you sense the sheer size of the Club, because no matter where I have been, I’ve always spoken to or found a West Ham fan.”
Ferdinand added: “There are people here from Los Angeles, people who were born and bred in east London who now live here and there’s people who have lived here and built up our support in New York City. West Ham United is all about family, it’s testament to everyone here that you are providing somewhere where fans can come to watch the team and feel part of it.”
Debs Fewel from the New York City Hammers was overjoyed by a fantastic morning, commenting: "It’s great to be in the bar, it’s great to have the legends here, a great 2-0 win, a fantastic morning! It’s awesome to have the Club make the effort to come out here, to have fun with us and engage with us, it’s brilliant. It’s always good fun when we win, so Anton and Nigel got to see the best of us this morning. To have the boys out here in the summer is going to be amazing, we will be travelling everywhere."
Sunday’s watch party marked the end of a packed weekend as the Club continues to build excitement for the Premier League Summer Series. Ferdinand and Reo-Coker have spent time in New Jersey, where the Hammers will take on Manchester United, running a host of community activities for local children, as well as speaking to local media, meeting the New York Mets and engaging with the general public.
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