Over one hundred Hammers from across the United States and beyond took to the Chicago River and Lake Michigan for West Ham United’s inaugural Sailgate party!
The Club teamed up with Chicago Hammers Supporters’ Club, Wendella Boat Tours and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria for an unforgettable two-and-a-half hour cruise around the historic heart of the Windy City and onto the second-largest of the Great Lakes.
Club Ambassador Anton Ferdinand led the fun, thanking fans for their support and reminding them of the importance of their membership of the worldwide West Ham United family.
“You are incredible!” he told supporters, who set sail in sunshine before braving a rainstorm that drenched Chi-Town in the early afternoon. “West Ham is a community and a family and without you our Club would not be the massive Club it is.
“I came to Chicago five years ago and the fanbase has grown so much since then. Everywhere I go, I meet Hammers, and the passion you all show is special.
“We have had a great time in Chicago, as we did in New York and New Jersey, and hearing you sing Bubbles loud and proud is just brilliant. Come on you Irons!”
Matt Gregory, Co-Chair of the Chicago Hammers, was delighted to welcome the Club he loves to the city he calls home.
“Honestly, it’s unbelievable!” he smiled. “For us as a Supporters’ Club, we’ve been going for 12 years now and we never would have envisioned the Club coming to Chicago, so to have people come from all over the country and all over the world is fantastic!
“The Sailgate has been brilliant. It’s a great event and it’s been lovely to have a chat with people from all over. We’re all out here looking over the skyline of our beautiful city, and it’s a great chance to meet other Hammers.
“It’s been great to put faces to names from other Supporters’ Clubs, because we’re always in contact and being able to connect with people over football and West Ham is fantastic, and everyone’s desire and love for the Club comes through in the conversations we’ve been having, and it will be sealed when we get into the ground.”
Brawley Darbon from the St Louis Hammers echoed those sentiments, saying: “I think the Sailgate is the most unique experience we could have done. I don’t think we could have done anything more than rent out a whole boat for West Ham fans – it’s unreal!”
And Tim Skinner from the newly-formed New Jersey Hammers, who followed the squad from his home State to Chicago, said: “It’s amazing. To be able to see the whole city of Chicago like this is incredible. The whole Summer Series experience has been amazing so far and to do it with West Ham is even better!
“Everyone here, whether you’re from Detroit, Miami or Chicago, we all have a connection together and everyone is so friendly and we all have this special relationship with West Ham, so it’s like being family members.”
Wherever you are in the world, being part of an Official Supporters' Club (OSC) is a great way to come together to show your support for West Ham United in your local area and to meet fellow Hammers who share the same passion as you for the Claret and Blue Army.
With Supporters Club branches representing the West Ham Family all around the globe, creating or joining a Supporters' Club will bring you closer to your Club than ever before.
Click HERE to find your local OSC!
