This is the second in the series ‘Over land and Sea’, where we interview a number of overseas Hammers to get their view point on the club, how they became a fan in the first place along with their favourite experiences!
Name: Kenneth Vereycken
Twitter: @kvereyck
Nationality: Belgium
How did you get in contact with West Ham?
My first experience with West Ham was the European Cup Winner’s Cup final of 1976. They played Anderlecht, a domestic team in my home country. This game was shown many times even after it had been played. Other than that I watched a lot of Match of the Day when I was younger, in particularly, I enjoyed watching the phenomenal skills of Paulo Di Canio.
Have you ever been to see a West Ham game?
The first time I visited was a home game against Stoke, which finished 3-0 to West Ham. I went along with the Belgian Irons, an official fan club of West Ham. Since then, every time I’m traveling I get really excited. The Boleyn, the cockney accent, the passion for West Ham gets me stoked every time. For this season I bought myself a season ticket, I really don’t want to miss our last games at the Boleyn Ground. That very last home game will be a very emotional one. Even now when talking about it I can feel emotions coming up. My next visit will be Monday 14th September’s game against Newcastle (A 2-0 win in the end). With three season ticket holders, I’ll cross the channel to support our beloved team!
There is a very passionate fan club in Belgium. How did you get in contact with them?
Two of my best friends visited a game with them a few months earlier, and due to an injury, which stopped me playing for my amateur side, I had the time available to go along with the fan club. I was gutted that I couldn’t play that weekend but the fantastic Boleyn Ground atmosphere turned my mood around.
Can you tell us about how the fan club is structured and how it works?
Our chairman Guy Buelens founded the fan club and he has built up contacts with Belgian and Dutch fans (approximately 500 mailing contacts) and has organised coach trips for more than a decade.
In what way does West Ham support you with visits?
Because of our excellent contacts within West Ham it is easier for us to get tickets, because buying 50 tickets isn’t possible. Every year we also have a “closing party” which could be anything. This year we’ll stay in the West Ham Hotel after the last home game, which will surely be an ecstatic and emotional moment.
How do people experience football in your region/country, and what do you think the big difference is with English football fans?
Football is really passionate, but English fans are more disciplined! When we beat Blackpool in the Play-Off Final at Wembley we were able to walk around Wembley Stadium without any problems. Even when we were the only Claret and Blue fans walking through the Tangerines in their Orange colour, everybody was buzzing and passionate. In Belgium or Holland, we couldn’t have passed by without getting called names, being spat on, or even getting into a fight. So that’s a difference. Also after the game, when all the coaches went away from Wembley every Blackpool fan we crossed instantly clapped their hands to salute us. Talk about class!
How do you feel about the move from the Boleyn Ground to the Olympic Stadium?
Well I’d prefer us to expand the Boleyn Ground and stay there. The streets around Upton Park will never be the same again afterwards. But in terms of financial strength and getting the club in a new stage, where we might be able to close the gap with the top six, it is a real opportunity! Playing in a state of the art stadium will help us attract star players and hopefully get our club to the top six with, of course, the chance to play in Europe again! How can you not be excited about that?
West Ham are always looking for improvements, is there a specific player from your nation/league that you think West Ham should sign?
There are a few players who would be able to get into the West Ham squad. Youri Tielemans, Dennis Praet, or the promising youth keeper Svilar from Anderlecht have got every scout in Europe after them.
What is your favourite West Ham moment? Can you describe it, how it made you feel, what rushed through your mind?
First of all the Wembley win against Blackpool. It was a great afternoon although perhaps not the best of wins, but in the end the Vaz Té goal liberated us. The 40,000 fans singing ‘Forever Blowing Bubbles’ was intense! Otherwise, I would choose the away win at Tottenham in 2013. Our first victory in a very long time over our rivals With five of my friends it was an afternoon never to forget!
