West Ham United

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos about why you fell in love with West Ham.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Jim: My dad used to take me to matches as a child. In the late 1980s he was sometimes busy so his friend, Alan, used his ticket and took me. Alan was a sensible man and we left early to beat the traffic. Walking away from the ground we heard mayhem as George Parris scored a late, late winner against Watford. I have never left a game early since - or gone to another match with Alan!

Send us your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the departure of Michail Antonio after a decade at West Ham and if you see him returning for a role behind the scenes in the future.

Here are some of your comments:

Barry: It's a shame to see him go but it's not unexpected. He looks to have done a great job to get back on the pitch, which shows the determination he has. When he was at his best, he was at times unplayable. His strength and pace caused many centre-back nightmares. Good luck and thanks for some great memories.

Rebecca: It's just really sad that fans couldn't properly say goodbye to such an important and loved player. So many good memories and no chance to celebrate that!

Colin: He has been a great asset to us and is highly popular, but now is the right time to bid farewell as we need young fresh blood in the team. He knows he will always be welcomed back as a non-player.

Mandy: I'm absolutely gutted that they have let him go. He has been a great player for us and he has played in many different positions when we needed him to. Pleased the club will continue to support him and I hope he comes back behind the scenes one day.

Len: I think it would be great for Antonio to stay at the club as an academy team member and motivate some of the younger players who can look up to him.

Anastasia: Very sad way for him to leave the club after all this time and he deserved a much better send off. We'll always be so grateful for everything he has done for the club.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have confirmed Michail Antonio has left the club upon the expiry of his contract.

The 35-year-old striker is the Hammers' leading Premier League goalscorer, and scored 83 goals from 323 appearances in all competitions during a decade in east London.

The club say they will continue "to support and assist him in his ongoing rehabilitation" following his road traffic accident in December 2024 and "dialogue continues over his future involvement with the club in an alternative capacity."

How do you feel?

Was it expected given his injury and the signing of Callum Wilson?

Would you like to see Antonio return to the club in the future behind the scenes?

Get in touch here

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Danielle Sarver Coombs

When it comes to our love for a football club, the answer to why we do lies in "both psychological and societal" reasons.

In the first part of her chat with BBC Sport, researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs spoke about the part that identity and tradition play.

And yet when we are caught up in the emotions of a tough defeat or nerves of an important match, we can often ask why we put ourselves through it.

"There are psychological processes at work and physiological ones in terms of how we respond and engage," Sarver Coombs said.

"An example that I always give is when I take the train to work, I go past Arsenal's stadium and I feel literally nothing other than: 'Oh, that's a big building'. Whereas on a train to Manchester, I went by Villa Park and my heart started pounding. I got all excited and was trying to take pictures out the window.

"I had a visceral reaction to this place. We can't pretend we don't have that sort of physical reaction because we do.

"When someone is talking about a controversial decision and I feel myself getting wound up, even though I intellectually know that I can't control it and that it's just a game, my body doesn't know that.

"My gut doesn't know that and so I have this really emotional response and we can't control that."

A 2023 book titled 'Football on the brain: why minds love sport, external' suggests it comes down to 'an understandable and logical consequence of the human mind's natural inclination to find meaning through beliefs... It's a religion as far as the brain is concerned'.

But it not just about what is going on inside the mind but outside influences too.

"There is a sociological element to it because the community part is such a huge driver and benefit for us," Sarver Coombs explains.

"Sociologically, we are driven to be part of communities. We are driven to find our groups that we can be members of. Sport provides a way to do that - this sense that I was chosen to be part of this community and it's something bigger than I am."

As the game expands, unrest among supporters seems to be increasing, but how does that impact this ingrained love for a club?

"You always go through these cycles when the game is changing," Sarver Coombs said.

"Despite all the changes, the traditions remain so strong and it's such a huge draw that it becomes really hard to actually separate yourself from it. Even if you do, it tends to be a short-term separation. You get sucked back in because something happens.

"People don't want that change, but then we adapt to it and continue moving forward."

Browse this page to see lots of fan stories for how you fell in love with your club.

And check out those from other Premier League teams over here

This week, we are asking you to share your stories and photos for why you fell in love with West Ham.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Keith: I was in Balaam Street hospital having my tonsils out when they won the cup in 1964. I woke up from the anaesthetic to see it was in telly but couldn't keep awake. Next day the open top bus passed right by the hospital. Me and some other children were waving flags from the first floor window. The bus stopped and Bobby Moore and Ken Brown held the cup up towards us.

Send us your pictures and stories here

Opta's Supercomputer has once again predicted the upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season by using a model to simulate every match 10,000 times.

Image source, Opta

After only happening once in Premier League history beforehand, and not since 1997-98, all three promoted teams have gone straight back down in each of the past two seasons.

Unsurprisingly then, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland are ranked as the likeliest trio to be relegated by the Supercomputer's model next year - with the Black Cats the only team notto win the title in any of the supercomputer's 10,000 simulations.

Championship play-off winners Sunderland are also relegated the most often of all 20 teams, going down in 66.4% of simulations.

Their fellow Premier League newboys are actually deemed to survive slightly more often than not, with Daniel Farke's side going down in 48.1% of sims, while Scott Parker's Clarets doing so in 45.9%.

As for Wolves, they had a dismal start to last season but improved significantly once Vitor Pereira arrived. Losing Matheus Cunha is a big blow however, and the Old Gold are fourth favourites to go down according to the supercomputer - doing so in 26.4% of sims.

Similarly, Graham Potter's West Ham have sold a key player this summer after Mohammed Kudus switched to Tottenham.

Potter will back himself to get a better tune out of his side after his first pre-season with them, but West Ham are still relegated in 22% of simulations.

Read Opta's full Supercomputer breakdown here, external

West Ham remain interested in Aston Villa's Jacob Ramsey, 24, with the English midfielder yet to make a decision on his long-term future. (Mail), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with West Ham and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here are some of your submissions:

Greg: I moved to London from Munich in 1991. At the time, I did not have a favourite team in the UK. I went to see Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea but did not like the way they played.

Then, I went to see West Ham v Sheffield Wednesday. They lost in the last couple of minutes, but the support was phenomenal and I liked the way they kept the ball on the ground. No kick and rush as was so common everywhere else at the time. Just a passing side. That's West Ham.

Send your pictures and stories here

Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham were left with big gloves to fill this summer after goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was released in June.

The 40-year-old Pole made more than 200 appearances in a seven-year spell for the Hammers but was deemed as surplus to requirement by head coach Graham Potter.

Frenchman Alphonse Areola, 33, became Potter's first choice during the second half of last term but he will likely face stiff competition if the club do sign Victor John from Botafogo. Readers will see links with the keeper in our gossip post a little lower on this page.

The 6ft 5in Brazilian has excelled during the past two years and he was a key member of the Rio de Janiero side's league and Copa Libertadores double in 2024. He was also in the team that defeated European champions Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 at the recent Club World Cup.

His 2024-25 statistics make for excellent reading, especially when compared to Areola and the recently departed Fabianski.

It is worth noting that the Premier League is a step up in level from the Brazilian top flight but the numbers do suggest that West Ham may well have unearthed a goalkeeping upgrade.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

'Why did you fall in love with your club?'

This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.

Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.

The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.

But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?

"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.

"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.

"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."

Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.

Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.

"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.

"It's handed down from generation to generation."

The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.

An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.

"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.

"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.

"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."

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West Ham have submitted an improved £10m offer to Botafogo for 29-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper John Victor. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with West Ham and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

Here is a selection of your submissions:

Colin: One day in September 1958, my older brother said to me: 'Right, I'm taking you out today'. We got on a train and ended up at Upton Park. I was instantly hooked by the incredible scenes and atmosphere that engulfed me. The noise, singing, chanting and colours surrounding me was amazing and I was hooked. The walk down Green Street to the stadium still lives with me. We entered the ground on the North Bank and what a thrill. The only time I saw the ball was when a corner was taken, and to cap it all a certain Mr B. Moore made his debut. Fantastic day.

Image source, Tim

Kerry: My earliest memory aged four was the street party following the 1980 FA Cup victory and my first match was in 1983 against Bury in the Milk Cup. I remember walking from my home in Custom House, along Prince Regent Lane to Greengate, as the crowd slowly grew.

Whether onto the Barking Road or nipping through via Haig Road West past my Aunt's house, the crowd, noise and anticipation grew. Just short of Green Street, opposite the Boleyn pub, there was always a programme seller, then that turn onto Green Street.

The wall of sound and smell, the mass of people, the sight of the stadium and the memorabilia stalls.

Always with my brother, rest his soul, meeting his mates and walking to queue at the South Bank turnstiles. Pay then disappear into the darkened concourse under the stands, the noise and food smells ramping up in that enclosed space, up the stairs and into the light and that sight of a manicured pitch opens up before you.

My brother and mates would head to the back to sing, being little I'd go too, before heading to the front just right of the goal. Vendors would walk the perimeter selling programmes or food and drinks. The players warmed up, the XI announced to a cheer, except the "oooh" that was reserved exclusively for Neil Orr, and then the song - our song - drowned out almost every other noise bar the ref's whistle.kickoff.

For 90 minutes, my fate was in their hands, those XI of Johnny Lyall's claret and blue army.

Send your pictures and stories here

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter believes his side took a "step forward" on their tour of the USA and is upbeat on the chances of a "strong season".

The Hammers concluded the Premier League Summer Series in the USA with a 2-0 win over Bournemouth, which resulted in a second-place finish to overall winners Manchester United.

"It's always nice to win," said Potter. "Regardless of the result, we've had a really positive few weeks.

"The team is really connected, and there's a lot of togetherness in the group. We're really happy with the environment, and really happy with the culture at the moment.

"I think we rode our luck a little bit [against Bournemouth], but at the same time, we scored some goals and got better in the second half. So, there's lots to be positive about.

"I think this trip has allowed us to take a step forward in terms of the tactical perspective.

"I think we've had good exposure to the sorts of challenges we're going to face throughout the season, including during the games.

"Training's been good with the players, so I think we've just taken an overall step forward.

"We have to recover now, head home and then get ready to continue our preparations for the new season.

"Every day, we're getting closer to where it all matters. As long as we just focus on the next day and keep improving, I'm really positive we're going to have a strong season."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Atlanta

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Potts is one of West Ham's famous old boys, making over 500 appearances for the club during a 17-year stint at Upton Park from 1985.

West Ham have changed grounds since then but the Potts link to the Hammers remains.

Steve is now part of the club's under-21 coaching set-up and his son Freddie looks as though he might be about to break into the first team picture under manager Graham Potter.

The 21-year-old played in all three games at the Premier League Summer Series in the United States, starting against Everton in Chicago on Wednesday and again in the victory over Bournemouth in Atlanta on Sunday.

Potts was eventually replaced by Guido Rodriguez with 20 minutes remaining and with only one more pre-season match - against French club Lille on Saturday - before the opening-day Premier League trip to newly-promoted Sunderland, there must be a decent chance of the midfielder being selected.

His only two previous first-team appearances came as a second-half substitute in the Uefa Conference League and since then he has had successful loan spells with Wycombe and Portsmouth.

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter has been speaking to the media before his side take on Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series on Sunday (19:00 BST).

Here is what he has had to say:

• On the future of Michail Antonio, Potter said: "We're in a position where we're making sure we at least provide Michail with the option to train with the under 21s, to keep his team training up, to make sure he's at the next stage of his rehab. Then it's up to me to see where the next part of his career goes."

• Pressed on if Antonio might play - given he played for Jamaica in June - Potter said the striker will not be part of his first-team group, adding: "Yes, he can still play of course. No, he's not going to play for West Ham, that's basically the point. We're in the process of speaking about what he wants to do in the future, so I wouldn't want to say too much. If anything, it will be a role, maybe looking at with the 21s, coaching, mentoring, that type of thing. But again, that will be up to him."

• The former Brighton boss praised the attitude of his players in pre-season, stating: "Everybody's OK, everybody's trained today. We've done really well in terms of keeping everybody available. The players have been fantastic in terms of how they've worked. The spirit in the team's good, the spirit in the group's good. So we're looking forward to the game."

• The Hammers boss says he feels this season is the time to judge him given he did not get a pre-season with the team when appointed: "The group has got ambition, the group has determination, but we know it's the Premier League. It's a brutal competition. Everyone's very, very tough, so we have to remain focused on what we have to do, which is our very, very best. Then I think we can have a positive season."

• On the injury-record of new signing Callum Wilson, Potter said he thinks he can "help" the recruit, adding: "I think we've done well with Niklas Fullkrug in terms of helping him be injury-free, touch wood. We had a similar situation in one of my old clubs with Danny Welbeck, we arrived with a history of injuries and it ended up pretty well for Brighton and Danny. So, I think if we can do the same with Callum, we'll have a really good striker on our hands."

• Asked if he is happy with the backing he has had in the transfer market, Potter said: "Yes, I don't see it in those ways, to be honest. I don't see it as backing me or not, it's about what's right for the club, the parameters that the club have to work in. I'm really happy with what we've done already, we'll always look to improve the team while the window's open, and if there's an opportunity to do that, we will."

Image source, Getty Images

Callum Wilson has completed his move to West Ham.

The 33-year-old found the net 49 times in 130 outings for Newcastle United but battled injuries during a frustrated 2024-25 campaign.

Manager Graham Potter said: "He is a proven, experienced Premier League striker, with a great work ethic and a fantastic goalscoring record. He also has excellent character and personality, which is such an important factor, and something that we place a big emphasis on with our player recruitment.

"We have built a really good spirit and environment around the squad, and Callum will only strengthen and enhance that. He will be a good influence, especially on our young attacking players, and brings leadership qualities."

And Wilson, who won nine England caps between 2018 and 2023, said: "I'm excited to be joining a massive football club like West Ham. A club that shares a similar passion to mine, hard work, dedication and also I strive for success so I'm glad to be a part of it.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. There's such talent within the squad. And obviously the gaffer's come in now, he's making everybody a team - all working in the same direction to achieve the goal which is to be finishing as high as possible in the league and it's what the fans deserve, what the team deserve and it's what the squad quality deserves too."

West Ham have signed Callum Wilson so we wanted your take on the move.

James: I really don't understand this one. I think it would be good if he avoided injury but sadly can't see that happening. However if he does manage to stay fit and get amongst the goals it could be a success.

Barry: We need midfield pace not old injury-hit forward.

Jon: Very few West Ham fans will welcome a player who rubbished our first trophy in 43 years - I'm old and remember David Speedie and later Ian Wright. Both players raised eyebrows at the time but that was before social media. Wilson is a lucky boy.

Phil: If we can keep him fit, he will be an additional striker up front and as it is free it was a no brainer. Just needs game time now.

Jonny: Depending on the details could be a good bit of business. A proven Premier League goalscorer, but definitely passed his best. Hopefully a low weekly wage with big performance incentives.

Dave: If it's pay as you play or salary dependent on goals then so be it. If it's a regular contract then it's a shocker of a singing that stinks of agent favouritism.

Tony: Too old, too injury prone, too much of a cheapskate Sullivan signing from his favoured agent. From the outside very much suggests that Potter and McCauley don't have the final say on signings and doesn't augur well for the coming season. Apart from that though…

Sami Mokbel
Senior football correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham have agreed to sign former Newcastle and Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson on a 12-month contract.

A deal is now in place for 33-year-old Wilson, who scored 49 goals in 130 outings for Newcastle but failed to agree a new contract with the Magpies.

West Ham have already signed Jean-Clair Todibo, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters and Daniel Cummings this summer while the club has registered an interest in Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey.

Now the deal is done, what do you think West Ham fans?

Image source, Daniel

On Monday, we asked you to tell us why you fell in love with West Ham and some of your favourite moments supporting them.

You have already been getting in touch with your photos and stories and here is just a taste from Daniel:

"I never enjoyed football as a child - it was never really my thing. My dad supported Tottenham (because of the rest of his family supported Arsenal) and my mum supported Manchester United (because she fancied David Beckham), but neither were able to name the managers of their teams. So growing up, it was never on the TV so I never watched anyone play.

"That was until friends I made in my early teens started to meet up after school and watch West Ham under-18s matches, so it became a regular social event. This is when football became interesting. Seeing the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick move up to the first team made us want to follow them and we realised it's a whole other level.

"Since then there have been tears and cheers, non-stop meeting up and making new friends to talk about transfers and everything else West Ham until the next matchday.

"I got to see them promoted back to the Premier League in my only ever visit to Wembley and travelled 14 hours by car to Prague to be there for the Conference League final with my friends (who all flew) because I'm afraid to fly.

"West Ham have made some amazing memories over the years and has given me reason to travel up and down the country to enjoy myself. Watching West Ham win, lose, draw and lose again, and it is something I have started to do with my young children. It gives me something to pass on and look forward to in years to come."

So join the conversation and send your best photos about why you love the Hammers.

Your first visit to the stadium? A special kit? An amazing away trip?

Send us your pictures and stories