With Manchester City fans still celebrating their first championship win since 1968, West Ham and Blackpool fans are sitting nervously, waiting for Saturday night, when one of the two sides will return to the promised land.
For me, West Ham have given a life filled with love and frustration, near misses and heartbreak, but there has always been one constant – the pride I feel every time I pull on the Claret and Blue shirt.
I know I’m not alone in this pride and for us, promotion would be the biggest success we’ve had since the 2006 FA Cup Final.
I don’t think there are any Hammers fans who would tell you that we are going to win the Premier League and for a team starved of success for the last 32 years (when we were the non top-flight team to win the famous trophy), what exactly should we be aiming for?
Nothing less than a win on Saturday is where we need to start. Following this, I’d love to see West Ham turn themselves into the kind of Everton/Fulham/Newcastle level club who have solidified their Premier League status and are pushing for Europe while making the occasional cup run.
Two of the biggest traits of supporting the Hammers are that it helps build personal strength, as no sane person would choose this lifestyle and that there is very little greed amongst our fans.
Those who were alive to see us beat the highly fancied Arsenal in 1980, remember that team as heroes, while those of us born after that fateful May day have given them their rightful place in folklore.
Regardless, one trophy is enough for me in my life (FA Cup, League Cup et al.) and I believe that a win on Saturday night is the kick-start we need to reach the summit.
Whatever happens on Saturday night, nothing will change.
That’s the special thing about the West Ham, we’re all in this forever and no amount of money or titles will ever change that.
Now for fortune to come out of hiding for a few hours on Saturday night.
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