RIP Alex Van de Weyer - founder of WestHamOnline

[wils]

I received a very sad message about Alex, the founder of WHO. I didn't know him personally but I am aware of who he is and that he deserves a tribute from us all. Perhaps it's fitting for those who were around when he was contributing here to share memories under this post.

RIP Alex and thank you for creating this site.

Hi there,

I’m not sure how many people who were around in the early days are still
using this forum, but I wanted to share this news in case it’s relevant to
a few. Alex Van de Weyer, who founded this site back in the day, died
unexpectedly last month. He was only 52 and was found at home; he died of
natural causes. He was my partner for many years, and we have a daughter
together.

I think it was in the late 1990s that Alex decided to teach himself PHP
coding to create a West Ham forum. He launched WestHamOnline.com. He wrote
weekly match reports, while I contacted opposition fans with a
questionnaire to create match previews. I remember a column by “Billy
Blagg,” player injury updates, transfer rumours, and fan votes. One
December I even made advent calendar picture posts. There was Steve Potts
in his bedroom full of West Ham merch, plus plenty of other silliness! Alex
V spent huge amounts of time working to make the site a success, coding any
features he thought it needed. His posts were always full of wit and strong
opinions.

Alex was a football stats nerd, and even contacted the club to point out
that Crysencio Summerville could be classed as a home-grown player when
they hadn’t spotted it. This was apparently due to a complex detail
involving birth dates and Covid-era season rules. He was proud of that
spot, and maybe it made a small difference to the club.

Alex later gave up his season ticket and moved out of London, but he still
followed the team with passion. He posted about club strategy on social
media and stayed involved that way. My daughter believes the last message
he read from her was about West Ham being ahead in a recent match. That
feels fitting.

Alex V will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

[stats]

This is very sad news indeed. 
Thank you to Alex V for creating WHO and for giving me many hours of enjoyment. 
i have been here since the early days and remember Alex's posts. 
Thinking of Alex"s family at this sad time. 
RIP Alex. 

[Forest Gate Ugly]

Thank you Alex V for the gift of this strange, infuriating, brilliant community which I’ve been happy to be part of on and off since the early days. Such sad news. 

[fraser]

Sad news, had some out there opinions but who on here doesn't. Thanks for creating this site that I've spent many a year on and R.I.P Alex 

[El Scorchio]

That’s tremendously sad. His creation has meant a lot to many of us, formed lasting friendships and extraordinary blood feuds. Alex has made a lasting mark for the better amongst the West Ham community and that is something I hope he and his family are proud of. As many of us have mentioned, we’ve been here for 20-25 years. Extraordinary. 

RIP Alex and thank you. 

[Matt Holmes]

Sincere condolences to you , your daughter and family.

Take care

[Matt Holmes]

RIP Alex V

Thanks for this site!
a good bloke

coyi 

[,]

Shocked, rip Alex V.

[Westham67]

I remember Alex V. That is sad, only 52. Lost for words because this website is and was a gem. We have lost many posters since I started posting on here more than 20 years ago, and now the main man himself RIP

[Pub Bigot]

I remember Alex V, and in true WHO fashion he’d get grief for sharing his opinions. 

RIP Alex - Hopefully there’s a heaven and a way of keeping close with West Ham up there. 

[eusebiovic]

I always wondered what happened to Alex V - from what I remember he very diplomatic and a tad pedantic but he regularly moderated/posted then seemed to disappear overnight. 

Maybe what the club has become broke his heart and as we all know he wouldn't be the only one.

What a shame...all this fun and madness was solely down to him doing something.

52 and only a year younger than me...it makes the mind boggle. 

R.I.P

[Jaan Kenbrovin]

Very sad news. 

RIP Alex V.

Created a playground for many. The black font days were peak internet. Good times.

 

[Eastside surge]

Sad news indeed,used to enjoy his match reports 
condolences to his family and friends 
rip

[stubbo-admin]

Presumably there will be a wreath from the WHO fund or something equally as fitting? May also be nice to have a tribute on the site at the top if that is something that can be arranged?

From the tribute angle....we can do something in that regards.

I'm probably not best placed to write it so if someone wants to write one and send to me, I'll do the technical bit.

[Sydney_Iron]

Sad news, didn’t know Alex but he created the original WHO, a site that I have visited for more than 25 years now, given me plenty of laughs, a bit of pain and being so far away from London, kept me in touch and part of the fan base.

Big thanks Alex, condolences to your loved ones and RIP

[cup of tea]

It does make you wonder if this club is cursed, I have thought it for years. We have awful owners, an awful manager, an awful squad, an awful stadium, look odds on for relegation and then we hear about someone who shed a bit of light and humour to West Ham by creating this site passing away at no age at all. What a way to start 2026!

[Fauxstralian]

Sad to hear this
Far far too young
RIP Alex

[nychammer]

Giving thanks for this site Alex and RIP. 

[Electric Retro-pants]

RIP Alex V, remember the match reports too, such a young age.
Condolences to his  family.

[only1billybonds]

Sad news.
I remember him from over 20 years ago. 
Hope he knew how valuable and entertaining this site has been over the years.
Thanks Alex.

RIP.

[scott_d]

RIP Alex V
I'm not sure if he'll be proud or ashamed but there have been some good times on here over the years.

[Django]

That’s sad to hear. I remember Alex V. RIP.

[yngwies Cat]

RIP Alex.

[cup of tea]

Presumably there will be a wreath from the WHO fund or something equally as fitting? May also be nice to have a tribute on the site at the top if that is something that can be arranged?

[MaryMillingtonsGhost]

Haven't been on here as long as most others, but do remember some of his posts.
RIP to a fellow hammer, and sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Admin - well done for removing that cuntstain Ferrets post.
The wanker's lower than a snakes cock.

[Sir Alf]

Yep remember him well too. He was forthright with his opinions which will always attract the Trolls etc

Sad news indeed. He created the only West Ham forum this old man ever used ( most will say “spammed”).

A small legacy is this site which allows a bunch of us old dinosaurs to bitch and moan about everything in life and especially West Ham. 

RIP Alex V