West Ham Vs Sunderland

Yesterday me, Joshua and Brandon went to our first ever Premiership football game at Upton Park to watch Joshua's team (West Ham) playing Sunderland in front of a sell out 30,000+ crowd. The whole experience was one big adventure for the boys, from the drive to Upminster Station, catching the train to Upton Park, seeing the stadium for the first time, looking around the West Ham shop, having a pre-match "dog-burger" outside and then watching the game itself.

 

West Ham left it a little late with Diafra Sakho scoring the only goal of the game in the last 5 mins. Whilst it wasn't the greatest game of football, West Ham definitely deserved the win. The referee was heavily biased towards Sunderland and made so many poor decisions which were met with the raft from Josh and Brandon. Both boys were ecstatic when the goal went in and were jumping up and down screaming their heads off. In fact Brandon said he had never been so happy (funny given that before the match he was saying he had switched to being a Sunderland supporter). On the way home he declared he no longer supported Sunderland as they were rubbish!

 

Upton Park and we are heading to West Ham United Football Club.

We arrive at the stadium and Brandon has already purchased a match day scarf which is half Sunderland and half West Ham.

Enjoying a West Ham lollipop.

Outside the Betway sponsored stadium.

The boys checking out joint owner David Sullivan's Rolls Royce, registrations DS10 WHU!.

And not to be outdone by he partner, David Gold has the silver Rolls, registration D GOLD!

After checking out the Rolls Royce's we started to look at the numerous Bentley's parking in the player car park. We stopped counting after we hit double figures at which point Brandon asked me if playing football was a good job that gives you lots of money!!!!

 

My boys first trip to Upton Park.

Inside the stadium and our bond seats have an absolutely stunning view. No one in front of us!

Now this shows just how sad I am. I was more interested in watching the coaches warms ups in the hour before the game than the actual game itself. I managed to get some great little tips and drills to take back to Forest Glade next Saturday. In fact I tried some of the goal keeper warm up drills with Joshua during today's match against Hullbridge Sport Lion's - not that it helped as we suffered our biggest loss of the season, 5-1.

 



West Ham getting warmed up.

Sunderland going through their warm up drills.

Getting ready for kick-off.

 

As we had such great seats the boys managed to get to meet and greet both the West Ham team Mascots, Bubbles and Hammerhead. Hammerhead was hilarious as he repeatedly knuckled Joshua, Max and then Brandon, but when he got to Brandon he pretended little B has so much power in his fist that he smashed him back wobbling towards the pitch. He must have done this about 3 times and the boys all found it hilarious.

 



Joshua getting a "knucks" from Hammerhead.

My boys meet West Ham mascot, Hammerhead.

Hammerhead returning for another power knuck off of little B.

Brandon then gets to meet Bubbles.

What a great picture of Brandon with Bubbles.

Joshua wearing his new West Ham flag as a bandanna and pulling a silly selfie face!

 

We had a great boys day out and the kids for a quid ticket is such a good idea otherwise I could never afford treats like this. Roll on when West Ham move to their new stadium at the Olympic Village in Stratford as the journey from Wickford will be an absolute doddle for us and with an extra 25k capacity we should easily be able to get tickets.