It's a question i'm often asked. Why would someone interested in English football arbitrarily select West Ham United of all teams? For Britons, the question is confounding, as many seem to think the team is obscure, unworthy, or generally marred by a poor reputation, at least as far as fans are concerned. Americans, who love winners and despise a challenge, are puzzled by this choice because West Ham has not truly seen glory days in some time.
So why do I love West Ham? The reasons are numerous.
It would be foolish to discuss this matter without mentioning the fact that Americans who love the Premier League are exactly that; Americans. We're not from East London, West London, Manchester or Liverpool, and it is possible to imagine that many people who follow the Premiership have never even been to England. So how then do people select a team to support?
Some choose teams based on performance, as I mentioned earlier. Some choose their squad based on a place they visited or studied abroad. Others make their decision because of a team their friends like.
This first group is referred to by one of my fellow supporters as people who ride the "glory train", although it could be argued that you may also ride a glory hole. These are people who only want to see a winner. Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal are the teams these people support. It must certainly be comforting to follow any of these sides, as the most heart wrenching thing that can happen to you is finishing in the last place of the Champions League qualifying positions. You will probably not see your side relegated any time soon (sadly,) and even though you will take it upon yourself to complain wildly about some perceived injustice, you will, in fact, always be happy about your team's performance. This, however, instantly qualifies you as an asshole, and allows West Ham supporters everywhere to yell at you as they see fit. If you are in the category of people who studied abroad or lived somewhere in England, this is more acceptable, as is choosing a team based on peer/family bonds.
I chose West Ham in the same way many West Ham supporters across the globe did - because some band that we like also supports them. Punk rock enthusiasts the world over often choose West Ham because of Cock Sparrer, the Business, the Cockney rejects, and a number of other English punk bands. Some of these bands, particularly the Cockney Rejects, made mention of the team in their songs.
I figured, since I love football and always have (one of my earliest memories is watching the World Cup with my dad,) what better team to support than the same one that Cock Sparrer loves? Metalheads sometimes choose West Ham because Iron Maiden is all about them. You can even find Maiden football jerseys with the West Ham crest emblazoned upon them.
There are other reasons to love West Ham. It's a team with a long history. Their rivalry with neighboring Millwall goes back a century or more. Their players graced the 1966 World Cup winning English team, most notably Bobby Moore, considered by many to be West Hams most famous player.
West Ham is also a team that inspires an almost religious devotion from its supporters. There is, in my opinion and from my observations, no such thing as casual or partial support of the Hammers. You either care, to the point of obsession, or you support Man U. There is no middle ground. Even the followers I know who rarely even watch the games still know everything that is going on - scores, transfers, general news and gossip. Knowing how much your fellow Irons love this team only breeds a more fierce commitment, and this remains so even when West Ham faces relegation. I remember it happening, and I remember almost wanting to cry. Ours is a team plagued my mid table finishes, injury prone players, frivolous lawsuits by poorly performing teams (Sheffield United, whose crybaby tactics haven't helped them back into the Pemiership,) and assorted other tragedies - and yet this only makes us more die hard.
I love football, almost too much, some might say. But my love of West Ham knows no bounds. So when people ask why I would support such a team, I tell them the same thing: "listen you scumbag Chelsea supporter, go and fuck yourself!" Although, more realistically, I tell them that this team means more to me than many things on this Earth, and that even though I'm not from East London, I identify with the Hammers in a way I can barely describe. I bleed claret and blue, I dream of the next game I get to see, and even hearing "Bubbles" makes shivers run down my spine.
I love West Ham United. I'm West Ham 'til I die, and I'll be there whether we get relegated to the conference level, or if we finish first place in the Premier League.
Now that's true love.
Cock Sparrer
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