West Ham United favourite Jack Collison joined fans at COSM in Los Angeles to meet fans for this weekend’s Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur.
COSM is an immersive sports and entertainment venue that uses shared reality technology to transport fans into live events. The venue based in Hollywood Park became the home of the LA Hammers, one of the Club’s Official Supporters Groups, as plenty in Claret and Blue packed into the unique venue.
Despite an early start for the 7am Pacific Time kick-off, the LA Hammers were in for a treat as Collison was on hand to give plenty of gifts to fans, whilst sharing memories and stories from his playing career, including his involvement the Club’s memorable Championship Play-Off final victory in 2012.
Collison met with fans, signed plenty of autographs and posed for selfies, on an occasion that will long in the memory for the fans in attendance in LA. The former midfielder also signed and presented a home shirt with 'LA Hammers' proudly printed on the back, as a token of the Supporters' Club’s appreciation for their support.
This latest activation comes fresh off the back of the recent Premier League Summer Series tour which saw The Hammers meet fans in New Jersey, Chicago and Atlanta as part of the Club’s pre-season preparations.
Collison is a fond favourite within the West Ham family, the former midfielder played for the Club 121 times between 2008-14, winning promotion in 2012. The former Hammer is now a Club Ambassador, where he meets fans at events across the USA, alongside his role as a coach at USL League Two club Southern Soccer Academy Kings, based 20 miles north of downtown Atlanta in Marietta, Georgia.
He said: “I have been fortunate to have been in the US for six years, so to see the growth of the sport and West Ham United is really nice. There are fan groups popping up everywhere, so it’s nice for me as an ex-player to have the opportunity to come to these events, but most importantly meet fans.
“They are so passionate about everything, so knowledgeable on our history, to come to this incredible venue to watch the game, was amazing even if the result didn’t go our way. I love hearing the stories of how the fans came to support our Club, how they met one another, it really is the West Ham family in the USA. You can see the love they have for the Club, it’s been a positive day, you can guarantee they’ll be up early to cheers us on against Crystal Palace.
“As a player your career goes so quick, you don’t ever get chance to take stock and review everything, so its really poignant for me to still have love from the West Ham family at these events. I was talking to a fan today and he was telling me about his experiences watching the Championship play-off final in 2012 and Vaz Te’s goal, it’s incredible to hear. To see people unite together in their love for this wonderful football club is great to see.”
LA Hammers member Matthew Lettieri was delighted to share the afternoon alongside Collison and fellow fans at COSM.
He said: ‘Today was just absolutely awesome, the result didn’t go our way but Jack Collison who is a West Ham legend watching the match with me and my friends, you really couldn’t ask for a better day. I am really thrilled about coming down here to watch the match with him and the other West Ham supporters.
“I really appreciate Jack coming out here, he signed my new home shirt, I am so elated, it’s great for him to come here to show some love for the LA group. We are thousands of miles away from London so you can feel a little isolated but it’s the brilliant the Club continue to bring ambassadors to the US to hang out with the fans, it’s awesome we love it!
“I have never been able to get across to London Stadium just yet, so the experience at COSM was amazing, it felt like you were at the stadium with the fans, it’s a bucket list item for me to do, so this was a close second!”
West Ham will be heading to Kansas City next weekend as for Premier League Mornings Live, a two-day fan festival created in partnership with NBC Sports where fans can watch Premier League matches on big screens together, while enjoying a host of other exciting activities. Former Hammer Matt Jarvis will be on hand to meet fans and cheer on the team.
Further details on a range of activities fans can participate in will follow ahead of the Club’s arrival in Kansas City on Friday.
Lettieri was enthused to encourage fellow members of West Ham family to head to Kansas to enjoy the weekend, adding: “Any West Ham fan, even if you’ve been a fan for life or just a few months, it is an amazing opportunity to meet your idols and importantly meet other West Ham fans to watch the match together with. It’s really a great experience!”
Collison encouraged his fellow Irons to make for Missouri if they possibly can, saying: “I was fortunate to be part of Premier League Mornings in Nashville last year, it was a great event and brilliant opportunity to celebrate our amazing support in the USA. Matt Jarvis is a legend and I know will be looking forward to meeting all the fans out there, it’s a great opportunity to engage and hear about his love for the club. If you have the opportunity to go, get down to Kansas, enjoy the weekend and cheer on West Ham United!”
Fans interested in attending PL Mornings should click HERE for further information and to confirm their place.
For more information on Official Supporters' Clubs and to find your nearest OSC, click HERE.
