Since West Ham United was formed in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, much has changed, but the Club’s values have remained the same. This is a Club for honest, hardworking people. A Club that belongs to east London.
One of the most culturally diverse areas of the capital, there’s a richness that comes from the togetherness shown in every corner of east London. It’s part of the fabric of our Club. Of course, we celebrate flair and talent, but we fall in love with the grafters, those who combine hard work and skill.
It’s not just the Claret and Blue that binds us. It’s the values we wear and the people we represent. We are United by More.
To celebrate the release of our 2025/26 Home Kit, we invited supporters from across our fanbase, representing different generations, backgrounds and experiences, to be part of our launch shoot. Among them were West Ham fans from the Any Old Irons, one of the West Ham United Foundation’s 35 community programmes.
A social group for West Ham fans aged 65 and over, the Any Old Irons tackles social isolation and loneliness among older people, which research shows can reduce life expectancy as much as smoking. Supported by the West Ham United Foundation, they meet regularly in east London to talk football, family, life and of course, West Ham United.
Members of the Any Old Irons singing group, Joe and Linda represented the old school fandom, those who have supported the Club through thick and thin. From the years of Bobby Moore’s squad of local lads conquering the Cup Winners’ Cup to Declan Rice and the more current crop of Hammers lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League trophy.
“It's a family affair”
Having lived in Upton Park all her life, West Ham has always been a way for Linda to connect with her family. Before the move to London Stadium, she would host family and friends at home, providing food and a place to gather before and after the game.
She said: “I still live just round the corner from Upton Park, so West Ham has just been part of my life really. My brother is a fan, that's who I go to the football with.
“I’ve had a Season Ticket since we moved to the new stadium, but before, I didn't go as much. Everybody used to come to me. I would supply parking and food. They'd all go to the football, and then they'd come back to me for the second round of food. So West Ham has always been a family affair.”
“West Ham gets under your skin, in the best possible way”
For Joe, getting to matches was a little more complicated than for Linda. Growing up in Hertfordshire, he would make the long trip into London, riding all the stops along the District Line just to catch a glimpse of Bobby Moore and the east London boys. A ritual that immersed him in the culture of east London and the camaraderie of West Ham.
More than 60 years on from his first game at the Boleyn Ground, Joe now helps coordinate the Any Old Irons singing group, an organisation close to his heart and a community he is proud to be part of.
He said: “I first saw West Ham as a ten-year-old boy in 1964, when they won the FA Cup. The glory years. I loved them. I just fell in love with Bobby Moore and the whole team.
“When I was old enough to travel, I used to get on the tube, get on the train from Hemel to Euston, then get on the District Line, 23 stops to Upton Park. And it cost me one and ninepence to get in. And I used to stand on the terraces in the North Bank. For me, it was the camaraderie that made me fall in love. It’s a family. I mean, the supporters are all there for life.
“People are there for life. I think West Ham gets under your skin, in the best possible way.
“The Club really looks after its own. I've got disabilities, and walking to the ground would not be possible without the support of the Club. Because the Club lay on minibuses on matchdays, free of charge, and the service, and the people who do it are absolutely excellent.
“I’m also very fortunate, and I'm very privileged to be part of the Any Old Irons. Everyone really cares for each other. I value it so much, and I think it's a great organisation.”
The 2025/26 West Ham United Home Kit is available to purchase online and in-store now.
