easthammer 3:01 Fri Sep 13
A Mascot's Story
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Sorry if this post is overlong but if not here where else should this be told? (Unless not at all)
At the next home game on 22nd Sep against Man United after three years of waiting my 9 year old Grandson will run out as Mascot.
Nothing remarkable in that except maybe the expense! But the cost is being met from an inheritance from his dad, my late Son-in-Law.
My Son-in-Law a life long fan and season ticket holder died just over six years ago after a seven year battle with a brain tumour from the age of 30years. Before he started his arduous battle for life involving two major surgeries, radio therapy, laser treatment and the inevitable chemotherapy he made the good decision to freeze sperm. And through the wonders of IVF (but only after several attempts) my Grandson was born albeit six weeks premature.
My Son-in-Law eventually succumbed to the tumour when his son was nearly 4 years of age. We never really talked about who his son would grow up to support. I think partly because he always was of the mind that he would do his damnedest to be around to make sure it was the “Cockney Boys” But he also knew that my Daughter and myself could be trusted with the task of indoctrination to the Claret and Blue. That we have done. My Grandson has been Season Ticket Holder since the last season at the Boleyn Ground. I have taught from the start that supporting West Ham will be full of highs and lows and never really without incident. Only once has he wavered saying he didn't want to go to a match because we weren't winning after Payet left. Not that Payet was his favourite, Adrian and Sakho were his boys. After a gentle reminder of the highs and lows and a timely good result he is long since back on track, he is without doubt the loudest nine year old ( or adult for that matter in his support in Block 204 ) and is showing greater appreciation of players' abilities, Anderson is now his main man. Hopefully, he may get to walk out with him on match day.
Also on match day there is the possibility that my Grandson will get to meet his dad's favourite player, Sir Trevor Brooking. Towards the end of my Son-in-Law's battle Sir Trevor and his good Lady Hilkka visited him at his home and spent an evening with him. It meant a lot to him and despite his by then fading short term memory he was able to relate the fact to his brother the next day. The visit was arranged by the Js Hospice who together with St Luke's Hospice cared for him in a marvellous fashion. My daughter has in the past raised money for both these excellent charities by organising Charity Balls (one of which both Tony Gale and Tony Cottee gave of their services as auctioneers free of charge). And Sir Trevor has donated prizes – one being a signed shirt for which I gladly paid an exorbitant price. And if ever you are asked for money from either of these to charities please give generously, they have cared for a hammer.
So if you are at the Man United match and the person next to you has a tear in their eye even before the game starts it might just be that it is a family member of a young mascot taking to the pitch looking the image of his dad at a similar age. COYI
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Replies - In Chronological Order ( Show Newest Messages First)
wtf
3:47 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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i won't be there, but fuck me, have I got something in my eye right now.
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Huffers
7:16 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Email me ahufton@hotmail.co.uk with a postal address and I’ll arrange for some photos to be sent to him to get signed on the day mate.
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Mex Martillo
7:26 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Have a great day
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Coffee
8:08 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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easthammer
What a sad but fabulous post. Hope you and the boy and the rest of your family have a great day that stays in the memory for a long time. Thanks for posting.
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easthammer
11:35 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Thanks Huffers email sent
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Northern Sold
11:38 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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That's some story fella.... hope you and the lad have a great day....
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madeeasy
11:43 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Please delete this post if anyone doesn't want to be seen with a tear in their eye at work...!
Joking aside lovely story mate and hope that he has a fantastic day.
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Moncurs Putting Iron
11:45 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Think we have a grit problem in the office today.
Yeah, That's what it is.
Grit.
Thank you for posting, this is the perfect place for it.
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SecondOpinion
11:49 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Hope the lad has a great day and his family
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lufbra iron
11:51 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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That will be a very proud dad looking down on his boy walking out with Anderson.
Hope your grandson and rest of the family have a great day.
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bruuuno
11:57 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Certainly a better story than the 9/11 one some mong posted the other day
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Gavros
11:58 Fri Sep 13
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Just about trumps the 9/11 story, that.
I hope the lad has the time of his life.
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Sarge
12:00 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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Hope he has a day to remember and the rest of you do too.
Thanks for posting.
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bill green
12:03 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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what an experience thanks for posting
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Block
12:05 Fri Sep 13
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Words are failing me right now, but you sir are a fucking legend.
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y2smif
12:08 Fri Sep 13
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Lovely story that easthammer. Have a fantastic day, the lad will have an absolute blast. Through the junior hammers I met the team before a game against Southend when Bonzo was in charge, I was about the same age as your grandson. I remember just standing there in absolute awe, surrounded by heroes.
Obviously a very bittersweet day for him, but he will love it.
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,
12:16 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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We are one big WHU family and stories like this help us keep everything in life in perspective.
A home victory would be the cream on the cake too
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Bexley Ironworks
12:17 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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What an eloquent and bitter sweet read that was easthammer.
It'll be a day to remember for both of you. Enjoy!
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Side of Ham
12:29 Fri Sep 13
Re: A Mascot's Story
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....and there in one very good post is our club song.
Thank you for reminding me why West Ham is so special to us all.
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