West Ham United play their final game at the Boleyn Ground this evening, a place where David Martin enjoyed some memorable moments as a child.
His father, Alvin, spent 20 years with the Hammers and made over 500 appearances for them, which meant the MK Dons goalkeeper spent the majority of his childhood at the iconic Upton Park.
“I can still remember the smell of the matchdays there – the burgers and the cigarettes and the noise of the crowd.” Martin said.
“There was a little gym inside and I used to play football in there for hours on a matchday with Tony Gayle’s son, Antony and all of Clive Allen’s kids as well.
“I never used to watch the games when I was young, I was just fixated on how my dad would be playing front of all these people because it was packed to the rafters most of the time.
"It was a special place.”
He continued: “I remember when they won the league. I was very young and I went up with my Dad to the second tier to celebrate. I couldn’t see over the barrier, so he picked me up and all the supporters cheered when he did – that feeling took my breath away!
“I also remember being mascot there. My Dad had two testimonials and I remember the first time, being on the pitch for the very first time – it gave me such a buzz.”
“I can still remember the smell of the matchdays there – the burgers and the cigarettes and the noise of the crowd.” Martin said.
“There was a little gym inside and I used to play football in there for hours on a matchday with Tony Gayle’s son, Antony and all of Clive Allen’s kids as well.
“I never used to watch the games when I was young, I was just fixated on how my dad would be playing front of all these people because it was packed to the rafters most of the time.
"It was a special place.”
He continued: “I remember when they won the league. I was very young and I went up with my Dad to the second tier to celebrate. I couldn’t see over the barrier, so he picked me up and all the supporters cheered when he did – that feeling took my breath away!
“I also remember being mascot there. My Dad had two testimonials and I remember the first time, being on the pitch for the very first time – it gave me such a buzz.”
