It was the consummate performance. As a unit the team was superb: tight, cohesive, delivering the killer blows at the crucial moments. Leaving the home crowd in raptures.
The atmosphere was electric, The London Stadium packed to the rafters. Exiting the stadium, fans were hugging each other, I bumped into familiar faces, each extolling the virtues and joy of what we had witnessed. It was a truly special night, one of my favourite since our tenure at the London Stadium.
Despite a large amount of West Ham shirts and references, we hadn’t witnessed our beloved club delivering the goods leaving everyone delighted, but the heavy metal legends Iron Maiden. Founded and led by local boy and West Ham fan Steve Harris.
A former youth prospect, he chose the music over football, but has unashamedly never lost his love for the club. References adorn album artwork, sleeve notes, Steve’s bass has a West Ham crest, claret and blue sweatbands and guitar straps. West Ham/Maiden football shirts are hugely popular.
Saturday's gig in Stratford was a poignant, symbolic homecoming for the band and its founder member in particular. And it showed. There was a spark in the air. A feeling of something special. The only other time that has been equated to in my experience, was on some of the European nights: Sevilla, Lyon, Eintracht Frankfurt, but - to coin a phrase - turned up to 11.
Away from football, music is one of my great passions. But I’m not a fan of stadium gigs. Never have been. I’ve done a lot, but I’ve always preferred live music in smaller, more intimate venues. With that in mind, this was my first visit to our new home as a music fan. There was a lot of interesting observations.
Firstly, the club appeared to have missed a huge opportunity in terms of merchandise. The link with Iron Maiden has seen collaboration football shirts on sale, these were nowhere to be seen Saturday. My source visited the club shop and there was nothing. I’m presuming to enable the band to maximise their own merchandise sales, but if it was, an error made.
Secondly if we are looking to increase the capacity for matchday football attendance, then there are concerns. Queues for food, drinks, merchandise were prohibitively long. Toilets too. This is with tickets being scanned at the security checks on entry bridges, turnstile gates open, allowing for freedom of movement around the island, access to selling points outside and in.
Also with punters arriving in more staggered times. An extra 10-15 thousand football fans, arriving at a more congested and set time, with the prospect for long waits for creature comforts will not make for a pleasurable or harmonious experience. Turnstile problems, scanning issues with tickets are bad enough currently without adding to the issue.
My final take is more mournful. Meeting up with friends pre-gig was a fantastic part of the day. Amongst them were a fair few lapsed Hammers. Fed up with the matchday experience, the lack of cohesive and viable communal meeting points, plus disillusioned with the hierarchy and stadium itself.
Saturday proved that given a product that engages you, gives you anticipation, a sense of joy and purpose can lure these supporters back. Also atmosphere can be generated and heightened. The dynamics may have been different, but the common purpose wasn’t. Unity to support a combined cause and a sense of wanting to experience something special.
Saturday night was something truly magical. We all want that to transpire to as many match days as possible. Hammers United recently launched a survey to help improve the game by game experience. The club need to observe its recommendations and also look to nights like Iron Maiden’s triumphant homecoming to learn and develop how to cultivate a culture of passion.
* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.
* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.