West Ham United fans, led by FSA members Hammers United, have rescued and restored the famous crest that used to sit above the turnstiles in the Bobby Moore Stand at the Boleyn Ground.
The huge crest, which is more than three metres tall, was thought to be lost following the demolition of the famous ground back in 2016 as West Ham United moved to the London Stadium – but thanks to the efforts of fans it was located, refurbished and returned to E13.
It now resides on the side of the old supporters club in Castle Street opposite where the Bobby Moore stand stood. Hammers United led fundraising efforts to buy the crest from its owner, for almost £9,000, and covered additional renovation costs and planning permission fees.
Hammers United chair Paul Colborne said: “We wrote to the club explaining an important part of West Ham had been found and asked – did they want it?
“We hoped they would buy it. They replied saying it wasn’t possible. So the fans raised the money instead.
“Now, it’s going to stand about 40 yards from where it originally was. You could fall out of the supporters club and straight into the turnstiles of Boleyn Ground – that’s how close it now is to its spiritual home.”
A team of local volunteers and West Ham United fans led the restoration of the crest, and Hammers United say they should be “proud of that they achieved”.
They paid special mention to Terry Jewel, Ben and Jason Hayes, Sanjai and Avani Patel, Paul Christmas, Kaz and Iqbal, Garry Hutchinson, Sean Burke, Steve Lowley and the committee of Hammers United.
