Panini stickers, West Ham United, and Greg Lansdowne

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At West Ham, there is always something more than just the game. For Greg Lansdowne, his family, and his hobby, this is exactly where it all fits in.

We had the incredible opportunity to sit down (email to email) with the author, collector, and all-around good lad, Greg Lansdowne, to discuss everything from his epic panini collection to his connections to West Ham and why he may or may not support the Hammers. This Q and A is what followed, so sit back and reminisce alongside me.

Question Number 1: Let’s start right out the gate and ask why you aren’t a Hammers supporter?

I properly got into football at the start of the 1979-80 season. Although my first Panini sticker album was ‘Football 79’ (which came out in January 1979), I was still a bit young to take much notice of the games. Then I guess I got swept along by my Dad and brother during the summer of 1979 as they were preparing for the following season.

My Dad (Bill) was the Hammer’s reserve team manager, and my brother (Billy) was part of the senior squad, though mainly playing for the reserves. I remember getting my first copy of Shoot! magazine at the start of September 1979 and went to my first ever game that same month – West Ham reserves v Crystal Palace reserves at The Boleyn Ground.

Panini stickers, West Ham United, and Greg Lansdowne

My Dad was manager, my brother was West Ham’s striker, and they won 2-0 – I didn’t realize at the time that it was unusual to watch a match from that perspective! Although I’d only just got into football at that point – so I didn’t have any West Ham paraphernalia – I guess it was accepted that I was going to be a West Ham supporter from that point. Except fate was to take a hand.

By the end of September, my Dad had been let go by West Ham after 25 years at the club as a player than a coach. Naturally, I had a loyalty to my Dad, so there was no way I could consider supporting West Ham. I still vividly recall asking my Mum who I should support, and she told me my Dad had supported Arsenal when he was a boy. So that was that.