West Ham United

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.

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Jordan Butler
BBC Sport

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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.

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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

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter says Maxwel Cornet needs to move away from the club to get regular game time.

A £17.5m signing from Burnley in 2022, Cornet still has two years left on his Hammers contract.

However, the 28-year-old has not played for West Ham since April 2024 and last season managed just four starts and 11 appearances in total during loan spells with Southampton in the first half of the campaign and Italian side Genoa in the second.

Cornet was named on the Hammers bench for last night's Premier League Summer Series victory against Everton in Chicago but played no part in the game amid rumours of a return to Italy.

"He's at a stage in his career where he needs to play regularly," said Potter. "At the moment, it's difficult for me to guarantee that.

"He's been brilliant to work with, I must say. A really good part of the group. He's fit and in a good place.

"But he's got Afcon coming up and sometimes a player gets to the point where they do need to make a little change."

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta says he is eager to "return to playing football with a smile on my face" after being formally cleared of charges related to spot-fixing.

Paqueta had been under investigation since August 2023 and was charged by the FA in May 2024 for allegedly getting booked deliberately "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market".

The four charges against him related to a Premier League game against Leicester City on 12 November 2022, as well as 2023 fixtures against Aston Villa on 12 March, Leeds United on 21 May and Bournemouth on 12 August.

The regulatory commission found these four charges to be "not proven" following the hearing.

In a statement released by the club, the 27-year-old said: "Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations.

"I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face.

"To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me - thank you for everything."

Paqueta scored four goals in 33 Premier League appearances for West Ham during 24-25.

He was in tears after being booked against Tottenham in May, with his wife Maria Fournier saying in an Instagram post the same evening that they had "been living this nightmare for two years".

West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady said: "We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a Club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process.

"Despite the incredible pressure on him, Lucas has performed week in and week out for the Club, always giving everything. It has been a difficult time for Lucas and his family, but he has remained absolutely professional throughout and he is now looking forward to drawing a line under this episode, as is everyone at West Ham United."

Paqueta was also charged with two counts of failing to co-operate with the investigation after breaching "FA Rule F3 in respect of alleged failures to comply pursuant to FA Rule F2", which relates to providing information and documents.

He also denied these charges, but the regulatory commission found them to be proven and will "decide an appropriate sanction for these breaches at the earliest opportunity".

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Heavy rain swept across one end of Soldier Field to the other during the Premier League Summer Series games in Chicago on Wednesday night.

There is no cover at the 61,500 arena, which is a surprise given the freezing temperatures this city experiences in the winter - and the fact the stadium hosts the Chicago Bears NFL team.

Locals attending the games suggested it was a source of pride for Bears fans that they brave such conditions but evidently that view is not shared by league chiefs who have never hosted a Super Bowl in Chicago.

There was no need for a drinks break in the later game between Manchester United and Bournemouth, which would have met with support from West Ham manager Graham Potter.

He was incredulous his side's match with Everton, which started at 17:30 local time, was stopped in both halves, even though there was rain – although not as heavy – and temperatures were well below 80 degrees.

"I have no idea why there was a water break," he said. "Somebody needs to tell me why that was the case. I assumed there wasn't going to be one because I came out with a jumper.

"We're hoping to get used to the pace of the game by playing 45 minutes when it's 74 degrees or something."

Potter's side won the game 2-1, Lucas Paqueta cancelling out Idrissa Gueye's early opener and Niclas Fullkrug scoring the winner for the Hammers.

Image source, Getty Images

Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has been reflecting on his move to the Hammers in the latest episode of BBC Radio Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast.

He moved from Birmingham City to the Hammers as a 20-year-old in 1998 for £300,000 for his first taste of top-flight football.

Before Upton Park was converted into an all-seater stadium during the 90s, the 'Chicken Run' at the front of the East Stand was notorious for the intimidation from the fans gathered there - as Dicks knew from his experience being an opposition player there as a 17-year-old.

"I remember [West Ham manager at the time] John Lyall and Eddie Baily the chief scout coming to St Andrew's and being in the office," he said. "John was a chain smoker so the office was full of smoke. I was 18 going on 19.

"They told me West Ham had made an offer, wanted to sign me, and would offer £650 a week. As soon as he said it, I thought 'I'm there' and then they told me they would pay me £50 per appearance.

"John asked me what I thought and I said it was OK but inside I was all over the place. John told me I had five minutes to think about it and said: 'That's all you'll need'.

• Not a Hammers fan? Find and follow your club here

"It was before mobile phones, so I went out to phone my missus at the time. The phone was engaged, and I went back in and said I'd love to sign for West Ham.

"He asked me: 'But what do you know about West Ham?'

"I said: 'I know you, Billy Bonds and I know the chicken run'.

"He had a smile on his face. I told him it was a horrible place to play for the opposition - it was brutal. When I was 17, I played there and it was really scary. You knew the fans could just reach out and grab you.

"John said: 'When you sign, trust me son, they'll love you'.

"That was the case. My relationship even now with the West Ham fans is unbelievable. They were the best fans in the world to me - they were incredible."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter in Chicago

Image source, Getty Images

West Ham boss Graham Potter is delighted to welcome Mexico midfielder Edson Alvarez back into the fold after his successful Gold Cup campaign this summer.

Alvarez skippered Mexico to victory, scoring the winner in the final against hosts USA in Houston on 6 July.

On Tuesday, the 27-year-old returned from his break to link up with his team-mates in Chicago.

While Potter confirmed the former Ajax player is unlikely to feature in Wednesday's encounter with West Ham at Soldier Field, the boss says Alvarez has already brought a confident air to the camp.

"He's in a really good place, as you can imagine, after the summer he's had," said Potter. "He's had a nice break, which is well-earned after what he went through this summer and the efforts that he made for his national team.

"It's nice to see him and we might look towards Sunday's match against Bournemouth."

Image source, West Ham United FC

West Ham have completed their kit line-up for the 2025-26 season by releasing details of the third strip.

The navy blue number is adorned with just the oversized hammers rather than the full crest, with the club saying this is the first time since 1985 that these have stood independently on a West Ham shirt.

It will be accompanied by gold shorts and gold socks.

West Ham are eyeing Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira, 25, who joined Arsenal in 2022 but spent last season on loan at Porto. (Ben Jacobs), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

With Everton and West Ham the latest Premier League clubs linked with out-of-favour Manchester City forward Jack Grealish, we took a look at what has happened to the £100m man.

It has been a chastening two years for Grealish since he enjoyed the most successful season of his career. Then, he played an integral role in Manchester City's historic treble in 2022-23, starting the FA Cup final and every one of their seven knockout ties as the club won the Champions League for the first time. Only six outfield City players spent more time on the pitch than Grealish in the Premier League too.

A hamstring injury halted his momentum early in 2023-24, which the England international ended with more yellow cards (seven) than combined goals and assists (six) across all competitions. He featured in just 40% of the total minutes played by City despite being in the squad for 82% of them.

Image source, Opta

His involvement dropped to 30% last term as Grealish's career plummeted to its nadir. Three of his six starts after Christmas came against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, while 16 starts in total is his fewest in a campaign since he was 20 years old.

Unsurprisingly, it was also the player's least productive season in terms of chances created and dribbling success since returning to the Premier League in 2019.

City's team structure has seldom afforded Grealish the license to take on and glide past opponents as he did with such insouciance as the talismanic captain at boyhood club Aston Villa.

The question now is whether the affable 29-year-old can reverse the downward trajectory of his career – and who will afford him the opportunity to do so.