Lifelong West Ham United supporter Peter Melia got a birthday surprise he will never forget during his most recent visit to London Stadium.
Peter, joined by his son Kenneth at Saturday’s Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, enjoyed a meal in the Boleyn Social before kick-off in celebration of his 90th birthday.
What Peter did not anticipate was a surprise meeting with Boy of '86 and Irons legend Tony Gale, who delivered a personalised gift from the Club to the long-time fan.
Gale, who spent a decade in Claret and Blue and helped the Hammers to a record-high third-place league finish 37 seasons ago, gave Peter a Home shirt complete with his name on the back, and spent time reminisced about glories in years gone by.
“I was quite surprised! He hasn’t changed at bit. He’s such a lovely man,” Peter told whufc.com.
Born in 1933, Peter has been attending West Ham games at both the Boleyn Ground and London Stadium over the last 82 years, and now sits with his family in the Billy Bonds Stand to watch his beloved Hammers.
“I’m from Custom House in Newham which, in those days, was a walkable distance from the Boleyn Ground,” he continued.
“I supported West Ham right from the very beginning. It was towards the end of the war years, 1943 or 1944, and even during the war we’d be out. If West Ham were playing we would stand outside and listen to the cheers.
“If you were really lucky then the man on the turnstile would let you creep under and watch the game.”
Peter got his first Season Ticket at West Ham when the new East Stand replaced the famous ‘Chicken Run’ terrace in January 1969, and has continued to watch as a Season Ticket Holder for over 50 years since.
A memory of cup triumph from four years prior remains one of Peter’s most treasured footballing recollections.
“I remember us winning the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965. That was one of the matches that really sticks in my mind, because I couldn’t speak for three days after! I had been cheering so much that my throat was completely hoarse.”
Peter’s son, Kenneth, developed his own love for the team through his father, and a support for West Ham now spans the generations in the Melia family.
Attending matches together has been a consistent for Peter and Kenneth, who continue to watch matches together until this very day.
Kenneth said: “Dad’s been taking me since I was six or seven and we just love it. I can remember my son wanted to get a ‘David Beckham shirt one Christmas. And my Dad, his Grandad, said: ‘You can like David Beckham but you won’t be getting a David Beckham shirt from me!’
“We’ve always done this together. My son used to come with us all the time too. I’ve been coming since around 1971 and my Dad first came to a game in 1942.”
Everyone at West Ham United wishes Peter a very happy, belated 90th birthday.
