Where the Jungle Ends

[arana peligrosa]

Can't abide the team in question but for West Ham and their support, tonight's departure from their Boleyn Ground venue after over a century of play is going to be a very poignant moment. Suggestions (or pleas) of not to invade the field when their game with Manchester United is at an end later today are essentially going to fall on deaf ears, there won't be a inch of space left within two minutes of the final whistle.

Been present at a number of games there going back far enough, both as a follower of this club and for other non-related Town fixtures and events and it would appear more bad days than good, but their supporters will have a night that will live forever regardless of score by end of this day.

Don't agree with the Olympic Stadium vote. It was either them or Tottenham - a ground share was out of the question - and while they won that vote, how often are they going to fill next season and beyond, or even adapt to playing at a different venue, that is so far detached from hitherto your own.

Bizarre thing is, last I read the home team still had an outside chance of Champions League qualification this year, but perhaps the prospect of top level European soccer in a short time at the new stadia would appear a little suspect.

Whatever happens tonight, win lose or draw it'll be an event for the ages and farewell to one of the most recognized (and intimidating) venues the English league can offer. Guess the Olympic Stadium won't have the same compact or fear factor as Upton Park but as with all things, change will eventually occur.

[marko69]

Definitely hoping you generate a discussion with this, Saint............, but for me, hitherto, I couldn't give a fk.

[derick_ipsw]

Definitely hoping you generate a discussion with this, Saint............, but for me, hitherto, I couldn't give a fk.

"DITTO"

[K L Blue]

After what happened to the Man U bus I really don't give a frack about wet spam.

Bloody animals!

[marko69]

Shyte club, Shyte colours, Shyte Muppet fans, Shyte songs, Shytehole area, Shyte old stadium, Shyte new stadium.

[arana peligrosa]

After what happened to the Man U bus I really don't give a frack about wet spam.

Bloody animals!

As with all clubs, a minority of poorly behaved individuals doubtless fueled by alcohol, not to mention the magnitude of the event in question. An opposition team bus and windshield coming under attack from rival fans is hardly unique, and by some reports the United team on board actually found a level of humor in the incident. Make of it what you will, but when you've got a club side with some of the most passionate fans in Europe and other potential elements to consider, something of this nature was always likely to occur. - Objects thrown, glass breaks, question fan behavior, end of story.

Always remember the Millwall fan who was knifed at the ill-advised cup game a few years back and the scenes of disorder, but some teams' fans are always going to take it to another level. Got to remember not to tar all with the same brush, a section of the support may bring shame upon themselves and the team as a whole, but are far outweighed by those who want to attend a trouble free game and have no time or need for those who think or react otherwise.

Apparently there was a game also at some stage of the proceedings and while would ordinarily not wish West Ham victory in any fixture, I think the given the opposition, the time of event, and the manner in which it occurred, will allow them their victory celebrations and all it entails.

[marko69]

A windshield coming under attack in the UK is most definitely unique, Saint. It's a windscreen.

[K L Blue]

After what happened to the Man U bus I really don't give a frack about wet spam.

Bloody animals!

As with all clubs, a minority of poorly behaved individuals doubtless fueled by alcohol, not to mention the magnitude of the event in question. An opposition team bus and windshield coming under attack from rival fans is hardly unique, and by some reports the United team on board actually found a level of humor in the incident. Make of it what you will, but when you've got a club side with some of the most passionate fans in Europe and other potential elements to consider, something of this nature was always likely to occur. - Objects thrown, glass breaks, question fan behavior, end of story.

Always remember the Millwall fan who was knifed at the ill-advised cup game a few years back and the scenes of disorder, but some teams' fans are always going to take it to another level. Got to remember not to tar all with the same brush, a section of the support may bring shame upon themselves and the team as a whole, but are far outweighed by those who want to attend a trouble free game and have no time or need for those who think or react otherwise.

Apparently there was a game also at some stage of the proceedings and while would ordinarily not wish West Ham victory in any fixture, I think the given the opposition, the time of event, and the manner in which it occurred, will allow them their victory celebrations and all it entails.

Jude my opinion comes form everything, not just the mindless thugs that attacked the bus.
Sullivan's/Gold's comments afterward blaming Man U for the incident, and saying "I bet you won't see any damage to the bus when it get here!" For me shows that the apple is rotten from the core.

[number 9]

Windshield, windscreen, potato, potarto, whatever, whatever.

It's amazing what Bilic has accomplished with West Ham during his tenure. In my opinion, he's one of the best managers in the Prem. For me, West Ham have always been a sort of friendly-foe...maybe derived from our past FA Cup match ups...of course, I always want to beat the c*cks!

The bus incident shouldn't stain the whole club. What the hell were the authorities doing??? I have to admit it is very unlikely that sort of thing would happen in the U.S.A. I'm just saying....

Tomato, tomarto...

[charlton837]

West Ham as a club and the history behind it - Impressive and hard to argue that it is an iconic club and Upton Park is a good ground filled with some serious history, some of the players that played in claret and blue are heroes of the country and world cup winners, that shouldn't be forgotten.

West Ham fans - I have some friends who are ST holders there, they are what I would call "proper fans" in that they go for the football and are passionate about it in a good way. However in general I find it hard to take a liking to West Ham fan base, they use the "working class" club thing as an excuse to have a fight. I went in the playoffs both times, the first year I went on a supporters coach and that got smashed up too after the game had finished, more interested in trying to fight Ipswich fans than celebrate going to Millenium Stadium. That being said the atmosphere that night was electric, they won 2-0 but it was probably the loudest atmosphere I have heard to date.

So going back to the beginning, I have respect for the club, I like Bilic and some of their players (Cressy!) but agree they have problems running throughout the club and I cant see that ever changing, many are sore losers and are not dignified in victory either, not a good combination...

[phily bon bon]

West Ham as a club and the history behind it - Impressive and hard to argue that it is an iconic club and Upton Park is a good ground filled with some serious history, some of the players that played in claret and blue are heroes of the country and world cup winners, that shouldn't be forgotten.

West Ham fans - I have some friends who are ST holders there, they are what I would call "proper fans" in that they go for the football and are passionate about it in a good way. However in general I find it hard to take a liking to West Ham fan base, they use the "working class" club thing as an excuse to have a fight. I went in the playoffs both times, the first year I went on a supporters coach and that got smashed up too after the game had finished, more interested in trying to fight Ipswich fans than celebrate going to Millenium Stadium. That being said the atmosphere that night was electric, they won 2-0 but it was probably the loudest atmosphere I have heard to date.

So going back to the beginning, I have respect for the club, I like Bilic and some of their players (Cressy!) but agree they have problems running throughout the club and I cant see that ever changing, many are sore losers and are not dignified in victory either, not a good combination...

Have to say i agree with the above. Some great mates as West ham fans and throughout the years some great players and one or two managers. The majority of fans though seem to be chavs and hell bent on brawling ,coupled with unsavoury people like Di canio and others Means i have no love for them. I could thibk of five London Clubs i like more than them.

[The Odious Mr Rossi]

Can't abide the team in question but for West Ham and their support, tonight's departure from their Boleyn Ground venue after over a century of play is going to be a very poignant moment. Suggestions (or pleas) of not to invade the field when their game with Manchester United is at an end later today are essentially going to fall on deaf ears, there won't be a inch of space left within two minutes of the final whistle.

Been present at a number of games there going back far enough, both as a follower of this club and for other non-related Town fixtures and events and it would appear more bad days than good, but their supporters will have a night that will live forever regardless of score by end of this day.

Don't agree with the Olympic Stadium vote. It was either them or Tottenham - a ground share was out of the question - and while they won that vote, how often are they going to fill next season and beyond, or even adapt to playing at a different venue, that is so far detached from hitherto your own.

Bizarre thing is, last I read the home team still had an outside chance of Champions League qualification this year, but perhaps the prospect of top level European soccer in a short time at the new stadia would appear a little suspect.

Whatever happens tonight, win lose or draw it'll be an event for the ages and farewell to one of the most recognized (and intimidating) venues the English league can offer. Guess the Olympic Stadium won't have the same compact or fear factor as Upton Park but as with all things, change will eventually occur.

I read a couple of days ago that they have already sold 55000 season tickets for next season, so I do not think filling the stadium will be a problem

[BLUEBLOOD]

I also heard 20,000+ on waiting list.

[arana peligrosa]

West Ham as a club and the history behind it - Impressive and hard to argue that it is an iconic club and Upton Park is a good ground filled with some serious history, some of the players that played in claret and blue are heroes of the country and world cup winners, that shouldn't be forgotten.

West Ham fans - I have some friends who are ST holders there, they are what I would call "proper fans" in that they go for the football and are passionate about it in a good way. However in general I find it hard to take a liking to West Ham fan base, they use the "working class" club thing as an excuse to have a fight. I went in the playoffs both times, the first year I went on a supporters coach and that got smashed up too after the game had finished, more interested in trying to fight Ipswich fans than celebrate going to Millenium Stadium. That being said the atmosphere that night was electric, they won 2-0 but it was probably the loudest atmosphere I have heard to date.

So going back to the beginning, I have respect for the club, I like Bilic and some of their players (Cressy!) but agree they have problems running throughout the club and I cant see that ever changing, many are sore losers and are not dignified in victory either, not a good combination...

Dailly and Etherington - two names that will be remembered for all the wrong reasons and after the home game and Bent winner, I really expected us to go through. Probably would have beaten Crystal Palace in the end game (with the players we possessed at that time) but what's done is done. (Was a Palace fan for the final and the score went some way to compensate the semi-final loss)

2005 was worse as I truly believed we could do it after the 2 - 2 draw in London and wanted payback for the previous years defeat, but they traveled up to our venue and won it by two clear goals, a similar score if correct just after New Year a few months before in league affairs. Preston couldn't do me the favor that Palace afforded twelve months earlier, and any animosity I had for the club before then, seemed to manifest from that time. Strange in a sense that our last domestic trophy won (1981) is more recent than theirs (1980), but those two play-off losses were hard to overcome.

PS #9 How long did you say you'd resided in the United States ? Buses, cars, and anything on four wheels is a target when you get enough number of loons affected by liquor and emotion. Stanley Cup Finals, Super Bowl or World Series has seen a number of cities across the nation degenerate into a war-zone dependant on score and outcome.

[number 9]

Jude: I can't recall a professional sports team vehicle being attacked by fans in the U.S. I could be wrong. To answer your question...I've been in Dallas 16 years, and I've worked in the civilian media for more than 20 years, so I'm sure I would have heard about an incident...maybe not.

[Shed on tour]

Jude: I can't recall a professional sports team vehicle being attacked by fans in the U.S. I could be wrong. To answer your question...I've been in Dallas 16 years, and I've worked in the civilian media for more than 20 years, so I'm sure I would have heard about an incident...maybe not.

Might be wrong but think SJ could be referring to troubles taking place after the events have finished rather than a team coach being attacked on the way to them.

[marko69]

Post game, people are murdered in "parking lots"......., Philadelphia Eagles springs to mind.