Dublin Hammers Trip - Gillingham - Saturday 23rd October 2004

West Ham 3 vs Gillingham 1

Well what more can be said about this week end away. A super weekend with the right result and Charlie's daughter Niamh, winning the half time match draw and taking home £1,000.

The weekend started as usual with the early flight to Stanstead. All the usual suspects plus one or two new recruits. Our latest addition Jer from Boston had travelled all the way just to experience a Dublin Hammers trip. He was not disappointed. On arrival to the West Ham Hotel we were greeted by the staff and treated like royalty.

Off down to Kens Cafe for the 'Belly Buster' and on to the Queens for the usual pre match drinks. The lack of atmosphere was evident and not even a chorus of Bubbles!

gillingham trip 2004

Off to the game and carry out the usual bets under the stand. Well Gary Purdy still never ceases to amaze the bookies, requesting the odds on an 8 -0 score line. Gerry O Keefe got it right with Zamora and 3-1. Young David Purdy followed in the Dad's footsteps having Zamora backed.

Half time and that magical moment when Niamh's ticket was pulled out and she was the winner of £1000. All on her 10th Birthday. After an acceptable performance some of us went back to the hotel, some to the white hart and some to the players lounge. What a treat for adults and kids alike to rub shoulders with the West Ham players and coaching staff. Lots of photos were taken and all left happy. After getting to our rooms (overlooking the ground) we decided to return to the hotel bar to be joined by fellow hammers. A good night ended with a rousing sing song and the usual story time from Gary Purdy.

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Sunday
Up early for breakfast and the museum tour. The stadium security wanted to know which one of us had tried to escape and was found wandering about the ground at 8:30 am. (no names mentioned, but he was only trying to sell a spot the ball)
All credit to the West ham Staff for a memorable stadium tour and museum tour. If you have not experienced this, you should.

Off to Liverpool St and a goodbye to Pat Mahon and family who decided to stay an extra night as the hotel was so good.
A wise decision.

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Down to the Liverpool St bar to watch the Sunday premiership serving that we are missing and an encounter with Brendan Kilkenny, who gave us the best laugh of the weekend by telling us he was auditioning for the lead singer role in Frankie Goes To Hollywood. He's a Chelsea fan what do you expect.

So back on the bus to Stanstead and a couple of beers.

A great trip and a great insight into the running of WHUFC. We can't begin to thank the staff enough, they were superb.

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Many thanks to Brian O'Flaherty for taking the time and trouble to get this in and to Jerry and Gary for the photos.



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