Trans Pennine Irons
Founded: 1993 (as The Northern Hammers. Renamed Trans Pennine Irons in 2016)
Chairperson: Liam Tyrell
Based: Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Members are spread around the path of The Pennines and M62 corridor. We are mostly in Yorkshire, Lancashire and surrounds. Basically, up to Newcastle and above, down to Lincolnshire and the north Midlands, west to Merseyside, Cumbria and Cheshire and over to Humberside and East Yorkshire.
Facebook: Search ‘Trans Pennine Irons’ under Groups
Twitter: @transpennineWHU
How did your Supporters' Club begin?
It was formed by Mike Hanna in 1993 who had moved to Otley in West Yorkshire. A minibus ran to most home games with several pickup stops en-route. Gradually membership built up across the north of England with the help of adverts in the matchday programme and various fanzines.
Have you always been a West Ham supporter?
Yes. I was born at Upney Hospital, Barking and lived in Romford, where my parents are from, then Canvey Island before moving north. My paternal grandparents were born and bred by West Ham Park, Stratford. Grandad attended Park School, where he knew the young West Ham Boys player ‘Bubbles’ Murray, so named by their Games Master Corney Beal, which led to the reason we adopted our famous club anthem. They also knew the Puddefoot and Barrett families who lived nearby!
My Uncle David took myself and younger brother Sean to our first game, the opener of the 1978/79 season. A thumping 5-2 win versus Notts County, with a David Cross hat-trick, which helped add to the whole experience and had us hooked. Vivid memories remain of the vibrant colours, the Claret and Blue, lush green grass and the atmosphere in the stadium from our touching distance of the players at the very front of the North Bank, right by the goal.
How do you follow the Hammers on a matchday?
Myself and my brother have Season Tickets in Block 132 of the Billy Bonds Stand. The Trans Pennine Irons have around 25 Season Ticket Holders. Many of us get to most away games too.
What is your matchday routine?
For home games most of us travel down by rail. Some members have arranged local meet-ups for some TV games recently, in Manchester and Sheffield, especially weekday games where travel is usually trickier.
How can other supporters join your Supporters' Club?
By contacting via email or social media. We send out a newsletter and arrange occasional meets.
