You are here

Over Land And Sea-What Makes A True Hammers Fan?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Tue, 20/08/2019 - 12:56

How far away you are from 'your' team but still support them can be dependant on many circumstances, you might have moved areas, you might have moved countries or entire continents. Or maybe a team playing on the other side of the World just appeals to you, possibly for their footballing exploits and achievements, or maybe just because you liked the colour of their kit!

Declan Rice is greeted by enthusiastic Chinese fans

Either way, there are many many fans, particularly those of the Barclays Premier League, who support from afar. The globalisation of TV and Media sources guarantees copious amounts of fast 'gladiatorial' games that fans just adore which ever country they are in. This documentary, Over Land and Sea features West Ham's Mark Noble and Declan Rice and explores whether you can be a true fan if you live on the other side of the world to your club. We tell the story of Pan, a West Ham supporter who was born and lives in Shanghai, China, Hammers are set to achieve a top six place this season with Betway, although the doom and gloom merchants are already snapping at Manuel Pellegrini's heels after just two games!

Following your team from afar is a damn sight easier now than it was say 30 years ago, then apart from brief news snippets the only way to keep 'relatively' up to date was by purchasing extraordinarily expensive newspapers when they eventually arrived, usually almost a day late! Now of course we have wall to wall media, and a very comprehensive TV package available, which is soon to be added to by media and corporate giants Amazon.

In the broadcast Pan reveals how he became a West Ham fan, why he chose them over more successful sides such as Manchester United, Liverpool or Chelsea, who his favourite player is, and what the Hammers mean to him and the lengths he goes to follow his club.

Pan meets club captain Mark Noble

The documentary apart from featuring exclusive contributions from West Ham captain Mark Noble, England international Declan Rice and also includes a contribution from former Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta, as well as two local fans who travelled from London to Shanghai to watch the Hammers play in the 2018/19 Premier League Asia Trophy.

Hammers boss, Manuel Pellegrini, managed Hebei China Fortune from 2016 to 2018

Share

Comments

andycarrollstyle's picture

Good to see as many fans from overseas finding and the supporting the club - I welcome them! I hope they aren't put off by the few idiots on message boards and social media who give them stick... After the city game I witnessed some appallingly racist songs from our own fans. Don't care where youre from, west ham is for everyone

up
69 users have voted.

When I get time my friend!!maybe I'm a bit old school & still proud of the fact that back in the day you supported your local club or the whole family were hammers & you were born into it!!I realise now the prem is a global market & it's nice to know foreign fans are supporting us over the usual lot,manure.liverpool etc

up
57 users have voted.

If your going to Sydney & feel energetic try the coogee walk starting at Bondi beach,lovely walk along the cliffs & a few different beaches...

up
74 users have voted.

Clacton eh,one of my old haunts many years ago & used to go to the old butlins there as a kid!!

up
66 users have voted.

The safari ride now that's a blast from the past

up
74 users have voted.
albyforeverirons.'s picture

First game I fully watch was the hammers and fell in love with the passion of the fans. With the advent of sky and in Australia Austar it's easier to keep up to every game but until then it was bloody hard to hear or see games but I remember sitting in my car listening to a game on BBC radoio years ago waiting for my son and when he came out I made him wait for half an hour until the game finished.
I have only been to London twice to see my team, in 2009 I went to the Westham vs Tottenham match at the Boylen and then three games in 2016 at the stadium. My dream at 63 is to get the opportunity again to get over for another game or two before I pop off.

up
53 users have voted.

Next Fixture(s)