The ‘hammers’ know how to suffer

Bubbles will fly again throughout the London Stadium when on Sunday the players of West Ham United emerged through the changing room tunnel to face Arsenal, the Premier leaders. It was a gala day, a ‘derby’ for the city, and a game of the utmost importance for the London club, who unexpectedly entered the battle between nine teams to avoid relegation, which they did not expect in 2011. those soap bombs reflect exactly what they have symbolized throughout their hundreds of years of history: dreams, with the ability to overcome suffering in difficult times, with the song that always plays in the stadium ‘I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles’ and their followers sing their hearts out.

Hammers fans sing their romantic anthem in homage to a tradition of humble origins, dating back to the 1920s. It all started in their old stadium, now demolished in Boleyn Ground and continues now on london stadium, where the team moved after the Olympic Games in London-2012. If football is also a cradle of emotion, West Ham represents it, as it garners millions of followers and much sympathy in international non-footballing circles. This is because of the image that the club has sent and its values, during its 127-year history, since it was founded by iron workers from the River Thames, in 1895, which is why they are also known as ‘the irons’ ‘.

At West Ham, its humble origins, symbolized by two crossed hammers, will not be forgotten because of its industrial cradle, which appears on its shield. They also usually sing ‘We are the West Ham claret and blue army’ at matches, showing their pride in the club’s symbols and colours. And also to the memory of its best players, the Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurstwho was part of the England team that won the World Cup in 1966.

‘The football academy’

As eternal is the memory of the club towards Bobby Moore, who was one of its best footballers until the mid-1970s. With him, the club won its first title, the 1974 Cup, and a year later, its first and only continental trophy, the Recopa. The figure of the captain means a skill and leap of media for the London team. With the ‘hammers’ he gained legendary status, his number 6 was retired, and since his time the East London club has been known as ‘the football academy’.

Modern times have brought ups and downs, but he has been solid since 2012 in the Premier and playing in Europe. To face on Sunday the Arsenalthe training team david moyes He came in relief with the three points achieved against Fulham, in a visit to Craven Cottage that was not easy, as he arrived after suffering the humiliation of a 1-5 draw against Newcastle. But the purpose of Jarred Bowen against Fulham, he took the team out of the danger zone and gave it a breather Moyesthe technician to whom the owners, the Welshman David Sullivan and the Czech investor Daniel Kretinski they kept up, despite the pressure of poor results, thanks to their two previous good seasons, when West Ham finished sixth and seventh, and managed to qualify to play in Europe.

To find themselves fighting for permanence this year, having reached the semifinals of the Europa League last year, was highly unexpected, but Moyes He chalks it up to the fatigue and effort it means to play Thursday and Sunday every week. This season the Westham it also competes in the Europe Conference, where it is already contesting the quarterfinals against Gent, fourth in the Belgian league. Despite having a game in the Premier League, the ‘irons’ are now fourteenth, but just three points off relegation, marked by Nottingham Forest. Yet, even in the worst moments, his followers and sympathizers were disappointed. In that army of ‘hammers’ there are loyal people of all backgrounds, as well as musicians and filmmakers, making this the most unique London club.

Related to the 2005 premiere of the film Hooligans: Stand Your Groundstarring Elijah Wood and inspired by special West Ham fans. Following the ‘iron’ age Alfred Hitchcock, grew up in East London, and now, among others, actors Matt Damon and Keira Knightleythe former president of the United States, Barack Obamathe tennis player andy murray or the bassist of Iron MaidenSteve Harris, who performs with a shield engraved on his instrument. Among the diverse audiences that always fill the stands of the London Stadium, the club also boasts another factor that feeds West Ham’s culture, and this is the powerful care of the quarry, a place in London where thousands of children aspire to play one day. with a ‘blue and claret’ t-shirt. The youngsters have just qualified for the FA Youth Cup final.

The victory against Fulham provided a calm before the dangerous visit from Arsenal. That goes along with the fact that this is the first time MoyesAccused of being pragmatic and not playing forward enough, he combined the stout Jamaican mihail antonio, Danny Ingsand Jarred Bowen, where he had more determination. What remains of them are nine dramatic games and, as if it were a movie script to raise the passion to Westhamthe last two (Leeds and Leicester) were against direct rivals for safety