Green Street Hammers
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Wake up America and look to West Ham

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Fans wait outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Fans wait outside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at London Stadium on September 1, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images) /
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Why should America consider West Ham? Well what was America built on? Hard work? Determination? Grit? I would say all of the above and we seem to love our sports teams that way as well.

Another thing we tend to love is a good rival.  Michigan and Ohio State or the Yankees and Red Sox. However, football or soccer as we sometimes refer it too has not been a staple for many American house holds growing up. Considered to some weak and others not even a sport but I urge you to reconsider.

The Club’s Roots

There’s a club in the east of London known as West Ham United. They were originally known as Thames Ironworks FC and founded 5 years before in 1895. Located smack in the heart of the east end between Blackwall and Canning Town and like it’s name suggested right off of the famous Thames River. Comparisons? Well funny you ask.

I am sure we could relate the East End to many famous areas in America. Shipbuilding, Boston and Baltimore. Ironworks and steel, Pittsburgh off the banks of the Three Rivers. This is a club from the heart of industry in the capital of England.

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The Fans

More commonly know as The Hammers, we have many a comparison to the roots and upbringing of many Americans. Blue collar, hard-working, passionate, and the most loyal grit worthy fans around. Sound familiar? More often these days fans of sports look to flashiness and flair but I ask you America, is it heart you enjoy? Or passion? Or history and rivals? I believe it’s a good combination of all of those.

Did you ever see a game in America where the fans sing for 90 minutes win or lose? Doubt it and if you want a good rivalry you’ve come to the right place. Tottenham, Arsenal, Palace, and the most hated Millwall just to name a few.

On the Pitch

At West Ham United not only does that come from the fans but the players.  I beg you to find another club that has the heart and passion that its fans and players share. The players feed off the fans and the fans, the players. And yes, we don’t always win or make it easy on ourselves but day in and day out we will be there to back on another.

Next. GSH podcast episode 6m Spurs matchup preview. dark

You see America, West Ham and you share a lot in common yet many of you probably don’t know a lot about each other. I promise you if you give West Ham a shot you will not be upset. Football can be hard to watch in America because it’s rarely on or it’s on too early in the morning. But wake up this Saturday around 10 eastern or 7 pacific and watch West Ham face off against a hated rival in the Tottenham Hotspur!  Win or lose I promise you will love the passion, the heart, and the excitement as you hear fans pour their hearts out for a little song about blowing bubbles!  COME ON YOUR IRONS!