For good or for bad, this calendar year of 2019 has been an interesting one for West Ham United. So, why not go back in time and relive it all in its majesty.
The best part about being a West Ham fan is that sometimes those best moments surrounding the club aren’t about football at all. Nevertheless, with so much to choose from and so little time, its time to break down the top 5 moments of 2019.
5. We have carpet, claret carpet
There you have it, something that had nothing to do with football at all, or does it? The Hammers unveiled their new stadium addition before the Leicester in April of this year and finally, we didn’t have to look at the hideous lime green turf surround the pitch.
Besides that it was an instant cosmetic improvement to the stadium, it also came with an instant impact on the pitch. After 37 minutes Michail Antonio headed home a goal and immediately took the fans’ advice and gave the new addition some love.
4. Young Declan Scores
Just 12 days into the new year and Hammers fans saw something spectacular. The hopeful future of West Ham, Declan Rice, scored his goal not only his first goal but a goal at home and against cross-town rivals Arsenal.
His goal was set up nicely by a cheeky pass from Samir Nasri and Declan made no mistake as he fired it home! As the London Stadium exploded it was easily cemented in the minds of all that Declan Rice was the future that this club needed and kick-started the year off right.
3. The Billy Bonds Stand
The history of West Ham United is just as important as its present. In 2019 it would seem that the board was determined to make the London Stadium more of a home then a lifeless bowl. Part of that process came in the addition of the Billy Bonds Stand at the LS.
The 4 time Hammer of the Year winner was finally and well deservedly given a stand and a place to be remembered forever. On March 2nd the LS lit up with songs of He’s 6 foot 2 and eyes of blue in a harmonious occasion that led to a West Ham win and a metaphorical bridge crossed.
2. A Life-Long Dream
When the Hammers signed David Martin in the summer neither he nor the club would expect to see him starting at Stamford Bridge against the hated Blues. Nevertheless, on November 30th that happened. Not only was the 33-year-old playing for his boyhood club of which his father played but it was his long-awaited EPL debut after 17 years in football.
After blanking Chelsea and saving 6 shots, he broke down in tears as the emotions overcame him. Once the final whistle blew the squad embraced him, he ran to the stands to share a moment with his father, and there wasn’t a dry eye or an unhappy heart to be found.
1. Spurs Home Opener Ruined
April 27th, 2019 should be date both remembered by Spurs fans and Hammers alike but for different reasons. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was about to get its first EPL match played on it and Michail Antonio and West Ham were about to ruin the day.
It was a day where everything went right for the Hammers as Lukasz Fabianski saved a one v one chance, Issa Diop stifled the Spurs attack and the before mentioned Antonio sent the Spurs packing as he then unveiled a typical Michail Antonio celebration.
This past year for the Hammers has seen some excellent moments that would’ve made the cut but were just outside. For example, either win against Man United, Haller’s first West Ham goal, Fabs super day, and so many others could easily be anyone’s favorite moment.
The start of a new calendar year means a chance for new amazing memories for the club as they look to improve over the second half of this current season and surely add more memories. Let us know what you think about these choices and what you would’ve picked as your top moments of 2019.