brought a tear to my eye!!

[Richy]

Do you know the difference between a fan and a supporter? I thought I did. Over here across the great pond they appear to be one in the same, but to my West Ham brothers and sisters they are very different. I have read “fans” opinions about who should start, who should be traded, bought, play what position, who should coach, who should be fired and why, who should play where and who should not. I have read page upon page of everything wrong with this team, this coach, this player, that player and the season in general. Some I agreed with, some items and opinions I thought was a load. But all in all I respected their viewpoints. However I realized that I am not, nor will I ever be a supporter of West Ham. I can only settle for Fan status. I will never be able to enjoy season tickets; will very rarely be able to enjoy the “pub talk” before and after matches. Oh sure I yell like crazy when West Ham scores. In a neighborhood where on weekends, flags of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Buffalo Bills (American Football) fly in front of every suburban home; in front of mine, a claret and blue WEST HAM flag fly’s much to the bewilderment of my neighbors. But still, I am only a Fan. During the season when those of us who do follow the Premiership gather at the local watering hole; I am the only one wearing claret and blue, while those around me wear black and white. And the only one singling bubbles. (Fortunately I can out sing and out drink my Toon Army bar patrons). However I am still a Fan. Not a supporter. But you know unlike some of the “supporters” who regularly post on this site. I still believe. Yupper I still think we can pull out of this. And this week is where we start. I have also taken up skiing and you know what? My ski instructor is from the UK. Came over in the mid 70’s. His name is Steven and a wonderful instructor, and guesses what? Considering where he is from in the UK he told me he would be a Watford Fan. Now imagine that. He told me I was the first Yank he had ever met that followed West Ham. A lowly Yank, in Upstate New York 130 KM from the Canadian Border and a West Ham fan! And one who thinks that like skiing, all you need to do is establish a bit of rhythm, follow through, and that’s all there is to it. I have seen this in West Ham. Not all at once mind you. I little bit here, a little bit there. But it is coming. Fact is. I haven’t given up. Nor will I ever. You see “Fans” are positive when everything is great, and negative when things go south. “Supporters” are positive regardless how the team is doing. The Watford match is crucial. No doubt about it. This is the match we put all the rhythm together. This is the match Curbs shows us the real West Ham. The one we knew existed all along. If not. And they draw.. no problem. I will just have to out sing and out drink the Toons again. Maybe I am a supporter after all.

[Richy]

Well the point of the post was not about the number of matches one attends, or even where one lives. I was getting sick of all the negitivity about the team from so called "supporters" And I have heard that in the UK there is a seperation between fan and supporter ( as to what extent I am not clear) However my point was to be a true supporter, does not come from the number of games you attend, or the jersey you wear. but it comes from the heart. It is something internal, a love and passion for the game and West Ham. To answer your question, in my opinion you are a supporter, a person who; because of business cannot attend the matches as you probably would like, a person who has not been to the UK in 3 years and still follows his team, and the fact that you took the time out of your busy schedule to read my post and comment. UP THE IRONS; I used to attend matches once per year with my father until he passed away this past year. IT was an annual adventure for us.