West Ham

[McNasty]

Spent quite a while last night in the Spread having an in-depth chat with two West Ham boys, one of which visits Roots Hall and the other being the bloke who was directly involved in the "Fat Nick incident in the Coach and Horses at Leyton" fun a few years ago.
They both said that they couldn't understand all this "rivalry crap" that they hear from some SUFC fans. They felt we have never been rivals and both felt most put out that there is this "We hate West Ham" feeling amongst Shrimpers fans.
The guy who fronted Fat Nick said he was brought up by his dad to follow both Southend and the Hammers but since the fun in the Coach and Horses now refuses to go to the Hall as he feels there is no "respect".

Any feelings on this? Please supply decent reasoned arguments.

 

[Interpol Shrimper]

Foe, simple as.
For any club to setup a rival shop in a town that has a rival league club with a fairly OK fanbase (at the time, better now obviously) is simply not on and emphasises what a bad move the setup of the Premier League was for football in general.

 

[Jam_Man]

As theres been a couple of leagues between th two clubs the rivalry doesnt really build up.

Its also watered down by the fact there are so many Southend supports who also support West Ham.

Im sure that there would be far more rivalry if we frequented the same league for any period of time.

 

[hexagon_sun]

Quote[/b] (glasgowsufc @ April 05 2006,09:45)]Foe, simple as.
For any club to setup a rival shop in a town that has a rival league club with a fairly OK fanbase (at the time, better now obviously) is simply not on and emphasises what a bad move the setup of the Premier League was for football in general.

Agreed. There's no real rivaly between us and them but I still despise them more than any other club except Col Ewe.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

W@nk-Ham is nearer to travel than Col Ewes so I would count them as Local Rivals, Leyton Orient is further than W@nk-Ham if we see Orient as our rivals, why not W@nk-Ham? If we can get promoted & finish in mid-table in 2006/07 season & W@nk-Ham get relegated from the Premier$hite, the derby is back ON!

Any club who set up a club shop in Southend area get no respect from me, but W@nk-Ham did, so I hate them. Thankfully, there are more SUFC shirt in Southend than W@nk-Ham these days, 10 years ago, you would saw loads of hammer in town.

Southend Utds vs W@nk-Ham in 2007/08 season at Fossett Farm Stadium .... you know it first!

 

[Leeboy]

Foe
mainly due to the Southend Echo giving them so many column inches, and the Club Shop incident.


Maybe if we were to open a Club shop on Green Street it would equal things out

 

[canveyshrimper]

My dislike of West Ham goes back to the 3 league cup games we had with them around 1979/80. 1-1 at Upton Park, 0-0 replay at Roots Hall, and they won the toss for ground advantage and beat us 5-1 at Upton Park in the 2nd replay, when Billy Lansdowne scored a hat trick.

We should have won the first game at Upton Park, when Colin Morris was clear only for Billy Bonds to flatten him. Nowadays he would have walked but 25 years ago.... Bonds was also a player i had always admired as well. On top of all that at the time i worked in an office where virtually all the staff were West Ham supporters. The p!ss taking i got afterwards was unremitting for weeks afterwards.

It is not so much West Ham that i dislike but their so called "supporters" who all come creeping out the woodwork the moment they have a limited success. Where i work now there is a typical example of the breed. Last season West Ham fell into the play offs and scraped the final, to have a good season so far. How i pray to all the gods that Charlton or Middlesbrough hammer them in the Cup Semi, as these tw&ts will be in the UEFA Cup next season.

 

[bluearmy]

This topic often rears its ugly head on SZ.

If you do a search you will see musings from previous years...but here's a response from me a while back. It'll give you a flavour of what was said.

QUOTING FROM 22/11/04 - bluearmy said:

Secondly in response to the post regarding the animosty between both sets of fans, I will say there is still great tension.

Growing up in Basildon, I was surrounded by Hammers' fans, continually putting the club, I supported since a child, down at every opportunity. I would get ridiculed at school for wearing my Firholm or Hi-Tec sponsored shirt. West Ham fans would laugh as we struggled at the foot of Division Three, while they basked in glory of Division One football.

They spouted ill-thoughts of our club whenever the opportunity arose. Until one day. The biggest to**er...sorry teaser...of them all was a lad, probably 6'4 - and the year above me in my school.

He reckoned he was the world's biggest West Ham fan. He didn't go to many games at Upton Park of course. No he, like so many others, was a lad intent on causing misery for the few Southend fans - why? Because nine-tenths of the school supported the Hammers and he desperately tried to 'fit in'.

Anyway, in the early 90s the Blues made it into the First Division. And we played them - I think in '93 - at Roots and won 1-0 - if my memory serves me right Stan Collymore crossed for Brett Angell who slammed it in the roof of the net. We needed it to stay above the relegation zone and the Hammers needed it to stay in the promotion hunt. That day the West Stand was full of double-standards. So-called Southend supporters with a Blue and yellow scarfed tied in with a claret and blue one. It made me feel physically sick, seeing these fans behave in such a way.

It nearly ended in chaos as real Blues fans objected to these 'double-supporters'. Anyway the result was excellent and the amount of dejected WH fans at the end made the whole time I was taken the pi$$ out of, at that school, worth it. But probably the best feeling was when I saw that to**er guy, you know the 6'4 one, coming out of the North Bank - I just ran up to him, laughed in his face and said "It's over". No fear, no emotion - this guy COULD have knocked me down. But he was too stunned. Beaten by a team, and in turn beaten by the Southend fan, he had ripped into for four years.

Of course it is no surprise that a lot of fans in Essex and especially Basildon, are WH supporters. East end families desperate for a new life after the Second World War were enticed by the building and employment opportunities of the new town. Most of Basildon's population still has East End and indeed Hammers roots.

What upsets me is the blantant disregard of Southend United in many WH supporters' eyes.

 

[TrueBlue]

Quote[/b] ]Maybe if we were to open a Club shop on Green Street

no you have to be Indian to open any kind of shop on green street

 

[Up the Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (bluearmy @ April 05 2006,10:13)]Of course it is no surprise that a lot of fans in Essex and especially Basildon, are WH supporters.  East end families desperate for a new life after the Second World War were enticed by the building and employment opportunities of the new town.  Most of Basildon's population still has East End and indeed Hammers roots.

Many desperate families are still moving from the East End to areas in South East Essex. Not just an after the War thing, it is still going on!

 

[Csboy]

Quote[/b] (mcnasty @ April 05 2006,09:42)]Spent quite a while last night in the Spread having an in-depth chat with two West Ham boys, one of which visits Roots Hall and the other being the bloke who was directly involved in the "Fat Nick incident in the Coach and Horses at Leyton" fun a few years ago.
They both said that they couldn't understand all this "rivalry crap" that they hear from some SUFC fans. They felt we have never been rivals and both felt most put out that there is this "We hate West Ham" feeling amongst Shrimpers fans.
The guy who fronted Fat Nick said he was brought up by his dad to follow both Southend and the Hammers but since the fun in the Coach and Horses now refuses to go to the Hall as he feels there is no "respect".

Any feelings on this? Please supply decent reasoned arguments.

What was this 'Fat Nick incident in the coach & Horses at leyton' then?
Not heard of that one anyone care to enlighten me?

 

[Jai]

Foe, don't know why we should have to like them just because some of their fans come to our games - they should support Southend in the first place.

Although there are a mixed bag, west ham do seem to have quite a high proportion of idiots, encountered them a number of times, and although a few come to see Southend most of them don't have any time for us.

That said, the only thing that sets them apart from other London prem clubs, is that they blatently tried to muscle in on our demise in the mid to late 90s. It was cynical, came when we were on our knees and the scum tried to cash in. It was bad timing and insensitive, and I've hated them with a passion ever since. Col******r and Orient are rivals, west ham aren't, but I hate them far more.

 

[McNasty]

Quote[/b] (Csboy @ April 05 2006,10:55)]

Quote[/b] (mcnasty @ April 05 2006,09:42)]Spent quite a while last night in the Spread having an in-depth chat with two West Ham boys, one of which visits Roots Hall and the other being the bloke who was directly involved in the "Fat Nick incident in the Coach and Horses at Leyton" fun a few years ago.
They both said that they couldn't understand all this "rivalry crap" that they hear from some SUFC fans. They felt we have never been rivals and both felt most put out that there is this "We hate West Ham" feeling amongst Shrimpers fans.
The guy who fronted Fat Nick said he was brought up by his dad to follow both Southend and the Hammers but since the fun in the Coach and Horses now refuses to go to the Hall as he feels there is no "respect".

Any feelings on this? Please supply decent reasoned arguments.

What was this 'Fat Nick incident in the coach & Horses at leyton' then?
Not heard of that one anyone care to enlighten me?

It all happened at the Orient - Southend game a few years ago , when the Coach and Horses pub in Leyton High Road was full of mostly SUFC fans and Fat Nick stood up in the pub and started a "We hate West Ham" chant , at which point a chap , who I spoke to last night, approached Fat Nick and told him to shut up. The chant stopped immediately.
People seemed to think it was not a very wise move to start that chant in an East London pub. If it had been in the King Harold pub down the road ( a pub decked out in claret and blue WH gear) I think there may have been far worse consequences.

 

[Rochford]

Jai

Ive been a West Ham fan all my life so just because i moved to Rochford are you saying i should turn it all in thats one of the most pathetic things i have read in a while:angry:.

I moved to Rochford 10 years ago and ever since then i have been to Roots Hall whenever possible and in that time ive had the privalage to meet some fine people from on here. And yes when i do go to the spread i do get some good natured ribbing espically in the relegation season but its all good naturered.

I can understand why some of you got upset by the shop oppening i thaught it was bang out of order myself and even wrote to the club to make my feelings clear but then our board have done some dam right dispicable things to our own supporters so do you really think they care about you.

I never once have laughed at you doing badly i always want Southend to do well so in closing I really dont care if you hate us or not because i shall always enjoy coming to Roots Hall and im hopeing for a repeat of 1980 this year Southend to win division and us to Win the Fa Cup.

Enjoy the rest of the season

 

[Jai]

Quote[/b] (Rochford @ April 05 2006,11:51)]Jai

Ive been a West Ham fan all my life so just because i moved to Rochford are you saying i should turn it all in thats one of the most pathetic things i have read in a while:angry:.

I moved to Rochford 10 years ago and ever since then i have been to Roots Hall whenever possible and in that time ive had the privalage to meet some fine people from on here. And yes when i do go to the spread i do get some good natured ribbing espically in the relegation season but its all good naturered.

I can understand why some of you got upset by the shop oppening i thaught it was bang out of order myself and even wrote to the club to make my feelings clear but then our board have done some dam right dispicable things to our own supporters so do you really think they care about you.

I never once have laughed at you doing badly i always want Southend to do well so in closing I really dont care if you hate us or not because i shall always enjoy coming to Roots Hall and im hopeing for a repeat of 1980 this year Southend to win division and us to Win the Fa Cup.

Enjoy the rest of the season

Rochford,

That comment was more aimed at Hamsters who were born and bred in south east Essex, obviously people who have moved down from east London can't change who they support any more than I wouldn't change to another club if I moved away.

It is belittling when west ham fans say they support them because they are 'the nearest big club', I know a few west ham fans who come to Roots Hall, and I don't have a problem with that at all (so long as they don't wear west ham gear, which is extremely disrespectful) - that applies to all other London Prem clubs too.

But my opinion on west ham won't change I'm afraid, and a lot of Southend fans of my age group feel the same because of the shop incident - I appreciate it wasn't the fans decision but I'm afraid I will never be able to like that club.

 

[Guest]

Hmm

I don't really see them as friend or foe. They're just there.
The only problem I have is with some of their supporters, who insist on belittling us because we're not in the premier league and they are, and then talk of nothing else - despite the fact they've never been to Upton Park in their life...

 

[Rochford]

Jai

Fair enough just thaught id put some things from a West Ham fans prespective.

No i wouldnt come in West Ham gear that would be disrespectful just like fat Nick was disrespectful in the Coach and Horses a few years ago i even went as far as to buy a Southend hat scarf and gloves during this cold winter and ive even bought your fanzine good read by the way.

All the best.

 

[Rochford]

Whatever

They drive me mad to. Espically when they try and tell you who had a good game and they were not even there.

 

[Jai]

Quote[/b] (Jai @ April 05 2006,12:00)]

Quote[/b] (Rochford @ April 05 2006,11:51)]Jai

Ive been a West Ham fan all my life so just because i moved to Rochford are you saying i should turn it all in thats one of the most pathetic things i have read in a while:angry:.

I moved to Rochford 10 years ago and ever since then i have been to Roots Hall whenever possible and in that time ive had the privalage to meet some fine people from on here. And yes when i do go to the spread i do get some good natured ribbing espically in the relegation season but its all good naturered.

I can understand why some of you got upset by the shop oppening i thaught it was bang out of order myself and even wrote to the club to make my feelings clear but then our board have done some dam right dispicable things to our own supporters so do you really think they care about you.

I never once have laughed at you doing badly i always want Southend to do well so in closing I really dont care if you hate us or not because i shall always enjoy coming to Roots Hall and im hopeing for a repeat of 1980 this year Southend to win division and us to Win the Fa Cup.

Enjoy the rest of the season

Rochford,

That comment was more aimed at Hamsters who were born and bred in south east Essex, obviously people who have moved down from east London can't change who they support any more than I wouldn't change to another club if I moved away.

It is belittling when west ham fans say they support them because they are 'the nearest big club', I know a few west ham fans who come to Roots Hall, and I don't have a problem with that at all (so long as they don't wear west ham gear, which is extremely disrespectful) - that applies to all other London Prem clubs too.

But my opinion on west ham won't change I'm afraid, and a lot of Southend fans of my age group feel the same because of the shop incident - I appreciate it wasn't the fans decision but I'm afraid I will never be able to like that club.

IIRC correctly it wasn't just the shop - didn't the reserves play at the Hall for a while too, and some kind of 'special relationship' was mooted??

I'm not sure west ham fans would take kindly to people in Arsenal shirts roaming the streets of Plaistow and East Ham, and for the same reason I'm not too keen on seeing west ham shirts around south east Essex. I accept the migration factor, but it's still annoying - maybe that is irrational.

I'm not sad enough to start hurling abuse at hamsters just for their choice of team, as I say I know a number of their fans who are really good blokes, good laugh and decent enough for good natured banter, unfortunately I have also come across a few who did nothing but take the pi$$ and mock my support of my local team - I've got no time for these people at all.

Rochford you certainly seem like the former, and your comments are taken on board - glad you liked the fanzine as well (even if there are a few gentle ribbings within it!).

 

[bertiebigbanana]

Being brought up in barking, west ham was my local team and i followed them avidly both home & away. When I moved to southend I still went to see the hammers for a couple of seasons but then as i begun to see southend as my home town i started going to the odd game at roots hall. Moved again to benfleet and my new neighbour was an avid fan. That was that, before long i was going to every game. That was about 15 years ago. I still go to upton park occasionally and look out for the scores in the papers. But thats it now. However, the anti west ham bile thats often spouted in these forums is beyond me. Sure, it was a bit cheeky opening that shop but it was a commercial decision that didn't work anyway.