It’s been one depressing, damaging story of unrest and unhappiness after another at West Ham this season.
A dressing room divided, splintered by in-fighting.
A new manager Julen Lopetegui clinging on to his job game-by-game.
And a West Ham team struggling for an identity as much as it is results and performances.
That is the story of an extremely underwhelming season for the Hammers so far.
Somehow, though, West Ham’s season would get even worse over the last two weeks – and it’s had nothing to do with the football.
Alleged bust-ups with Jean-Clair Todibo, Mohammed Kudus and others and the looming threat of being axed have put Lopetegui under immense pressure.
Then came the horrific car crash which could so easily have claimed the life of West Ham striker Michail Antonio.
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Lopetegui said himself it was a ‘miracle’ Antonio survived.
The smash left Antonio with a broken thigh bone – the strongest, longest and thickest bone in the human body.
Recovering so he can walk comfortably with his young family again is all that matters right now. Whether he plays football again is very much secondary.
But even Antonio’s terrible incident was put into perspective less than a week later.
Oscar Fairs, West Ham youth goalkeeper, has tragically passed away. Photo: West Ham United FC
Oscar Fairs, West Ham youth goalkeeper, has tragically passed away. Photo: West Ham United FC
Dark time in the modern history of West Ham
The Hammers announced the tragic news that young Academy star Oscar Fairs had passed away last Friday.
Under 15 goalkeeper Oscar had been fighting against a rare brain cancer.
He had been with his beloved West Ham since the age of six and was a lifelong fan and season ticket holder who dreamed of one day playing for the first team.
Sadly, Oscar lost his battle against the illness.
For the second time in a week dark clouds gathered over east London.
Tributes to Oscar and messages of support to West Ham poured in from across football.
The power of community in football can be like no other in those circumstances.
The club was grieving again this week when West Ham confirmed the death of Lopetegui’s father.
Unbeknownst to most Hammers fans, Jose Antonio Lopetegui had been ill for some time while his son was navigating his way through his difficult West Ham tenure.
The famed Basque strongman passed away aged 94, with the manager flying out to be with his family.
Julen Lopetegui, Manager of West Ham United looks on ahead of the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at...
Photo by Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images
What West Ham stars have done after awful news will have fans bursting with pride
Say what you want about Lopetegui as a manager at West Ham so far, but putting the team first while he had such distressing personal issues in the background says a lot about him.
It shows the measure of the man that he also intends to return on Friday ready to lead the team against Brighton on Saturday.
“It’s not been a great time for the club of late,” a key senior West Ham spokesman for the owners told Hammers News.
You can say that again.
But what West Ham stars have done after the awful recent news will have fans bursting with pride.
Given what has gone on at West Ham in the last two weeks, it would be easy for the club to start feeling sorry for itself and pull down the shutters.
But amidst all the pain and heartache, the Hammers have taken the complete opposite attitude.
Stars from both the men’s and women’s teams have showed pure class by rallying around to go out to a host of hospitals and hospices across east London to visit patients and staff.
Captain Jarrod Bowen visited Newham Hospital to spread some Christmas cheer alongside the likes of Carlos Soler, Tomas Soucek, Vladimir Coufal and stars from the women’s team.
Fullkrug Areola Mavropanos King George Hospital Photo West Ham
Fullkrug, Areola and Mavropanos at King George Hospital. Photo: West Ham
Hammers stars spread Christmas cheer despite own suffering
Over 100 children in Newham Hospital, Queens Hospital, King George Hospital and St Francis Hospice received visits from West Ham stars.
West Ham have shared pictures of the visit with Hammers News.
The players spent time chatting and playing with the children, whilst also taking lots of selfies and photos with families and staff. In the festive spirit goody bags containing plenty of West Ham gifts were also delivered to patients, which saw plenty of smiles on the children’s faces throughout the wards.
The impact felt by the visits was clear for all to see, with the patients and staff alike enthused to see the Hammers players share festive spirit.
“The afternoon epitomised what being a part of the West Ham family is all about, with everyone in attendance delighted to play a small part in bringing some Christmas cheer during what a is often a challenging time of the year for the children, their families and hospital staff,” West Ham said.
Bowen said he loves being able to get out in the community and help spread some joy.
“I always speak about this club being one whole family, that shows in different places you come to and this one especially,” Bowen said.
“A lot of the workers are West Ham fans, so it was nice to see them as well. I love being able to come down to these opportunities and hopefully put a smile on people’s faces.”
West Ham’s players and the club as a whole has really done us all proud.
Soucek, Bowen, Soler, Coufal and women’s team stars at Newham Hospital. Photo: West Ham
West Ham United Women’s vice-captain Shelina Zadorsky said it was a really nice day visiting Newham Hospital and seeing the hard work of staff and the smiles on the faces of patients.
“It’s really meaningful for us to give back to the community in just a small way, to bring some cheer and hopefully some smiles,” she said.
“This time of year is hard for families especially with a family member who is sick, for all the workers and staff here it’s a busy time of year as well, so for us to come in and connect with people in the community, it’s really special. Being able to see the kids smiling and with a little West Ham gift is the least we can do.”
Catriona Rowland, Head of Wellbeing for Newham Hospital, said the visits were a huge morale boost and a fantastic gesture from the Hammers.
Ings, Irving, Cresswell and Kilman at Queens Hospital. Photo: West Ham
Ings, Irving, Cresswell and Kilman at Queens Hospital. Photo: West Ham
“Having the players here today was a morale boost because we’re very busy, we know they are busy too but to make that gesture to come and thank all the staff, meet and greet, take photos and have a laugh with our staff, visitors and patients,” Catriona said.
“It’s just amazing to see the little children in the hospital for Christmas to get to meet their favourite players.
“Today we had a special moment having the captain (Bowen) here, which was amazing.
“I just want to thank West Ham United, the relationship we’ve had with Newham Hospital and Barts Health, since 2016 we’ve been working closely and when they’ve come it’s always been a joyful experience.
“It’s moments like this that help everyone’s wellbeing and it’s great just knowing that all the Hammers fans support Newham Hospital and the community.”
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