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Dublin Hammers Trip - Leeds United - Sunday 21st May 2023

West Ham United 3 vs Leeds United 1

There was a good bunch of Dublin Hammers heading over for the last home game of the season, against a Leeds United side struggling against relegation. As we all met in the airport bar, I noted one Gary Purdy still there talking, his flight (the one before ours) had been delayed and only took off 20 minutes ahead of ours. So naturally enough, by the time we all met up in Stanstead, Gary was in flying form (no pun intended). Special kudos goes to the Travel Sec, Tom Jones, who somehow managed to arrange for the departure gate to be opposite the bar... top man! There were a number of new faces on the trip as Hugh, Tony and Sēana joined us. Hugh joining us along with Patrick reduced the average age of the group significantly, while Sēana added some much needed glamour to proceedings.

An uneverntful flight and we breezed through Stanstead and headed for the National Express bus and onto Stratford. Once there it was decided we should go for two pints in The Olde Black Bull so we could meet up with Josh who was arriving from Berlin. I made the sensible decision to head to Stratford’s Best Café (now the Best Meze & Grill Café) for breakfast. After a fine feed it was back to the Olde Black Bull expecting the lads to be finishing their second pint and getting ready to head off, but Josh had been held up at passport control throwing a complete spanner in the works.

Liam being the 'diplomatic one' among us phoned Josh and asked “where the f*%k are you!!”. At this stage Josh was heading into Liverpool Street to get a train to Stratford, so there was nothing we could do but wait, more than two pints were drank, jokes were told and plans were made for the night ahead. Josh duly arrived looking very fit (if a bit flustered) and drank a Fosters (g’day mate!) in double quick time!

After the welcome break in the travelling we resumed and headed to Romford, a quick visit to the West Ham shop (I got my supply of pens!) and then we checked into the hotel. People split up as some went across the road to the Bull bar to watch the rugby and the Gooners game, some stayed in the hotel bar while others went for an Indian or opted for the beer garden in the Goose. Whatever each one did was relaxing and enjoyable (I’m reliably informed).

The plan was to meet in the Bull at 8.30pm and head from there later to watch the Katie Taylor fight on the TVs in the Goose. As the Essex Ladies Rugby team were holding their end of season night out in the Bull, we were drowned out noise wise, probably no harm in fairness. So, on to the Goose for a few late ones, it was difficult to get a drink from the incompetent staff in attendance, how they managed to make an ordeal of serving drinks in a half empty pub is beyond me, one decent Irish barman could have replaced three or four staff members and still had time for a few words!

After the fight the DJ turned up the sounds and we started to throw some shapes as only we can. Patrick shared his hair with the follicle challenged members of the party and I had to do my Denis Taylor impersonation (it’s not that great) while Tommy did his 'Mick the Bull barman' tribute.

In keeping with bizarre English traditions, the DJ stopped a Motown classic that had us all on the floor halfway through the song because the bar was closing (as most Motown greats were less than 3 minutes long I thought it was a bit strange he didn't wait until the end?). And in classic nightclub tradition the doorstaff started harassing people to get out! We left and a few hardy souls headed to Yates pub which stayed open until 3.00am to see out the night, I headed to bed.

Sunday morning, and the plan was to head to the Best Meze for breakfast and then the Olde Black Bull for the 10.30am opening. I missed that early call so instead enjoyed breakfast in the hotel before heading to meet the lads in the pub. The Black Bull very kindly allowed us to store our bags in the bar until after the game. While we were in the Black Bull, the barmaid grabbed Patrick by the arse to warn him about phone theft (his phone was in his back pocket), que a load of lads changing their phone to their back pocket!

The pre-match atmosphere in the pub was great, although most thought that we would send out a reserve team after our historic win the previous Thursday, but when the team was announced we were all pleasantly surprised with the strong line-up.

On to the ground and a rip roaring atmosphere. On the walk ways up to the ground the street vendors were doing a brisk trade in ECL Cup Final hats, flags and scarfs. The game kicked-off and Leeds made the early running, it wasn't long before a long throw led to them taking the lead. West Ham upped their game and a great pass from Fornals into Bowen, he picked out Declan Rice steaming in at the back post and we were level. From then on West Ham never looked in danger until injury time in the first half when Zouma lost the ball and Leeds looked set to score, but thankfully wasted the chance. Second half saw us control the game and Bowen added a second goal. As Leeds flagged, the Hammers added a third following great work by Paquetá whose wonderful dribble and pass saw the great Lanzini score in injury time. There was a big cheer from us since Tommy had West Ham to win 3-1 (as he usually does), well done Tommy!

We headed for the exits seconds before the final whistle as we had to catch the earlier bus to Stanstead. Credit to the lads who headed back to the Black Bull to collect all the bags and meet us at the bus and to 'Tour Guide' Emma who got us safely to the bus stop. A big thanks to Joan and all the staff in the Olde Black Bull for their usual hospitality, we’ll see you later in the year!

Back at Stanstead, pints were consumed in the bar and photos taken with Pablo Fornals who was heading to Spain that evening, a lovely fella who was so generous and patient with his time. The flight home was quiet and the happy Hammers made plans to meet in Brannigans later that night, the following Sunday and of course, Wednesday 7th June for the Europa Conference Cup Final.

The last laugh of the night was reserved for Jake passing through passport control at Dublin airport where he produced his bank card (instead of his driving licence) as ID, he was quickly corrected by the official on duty. Meanwhile, the official I met said that he didn’t realise that there was that many West Ham fans in Dublin!

Well done to everyone involved in arranging this trip, it was made all the more complicated as we waited on the Premier League to make a final decision as to when the match was too be played. There was talk of moving it to the Monday night, so it wasn’t easy trying to arrange everything at the last minute... Tom Jones you did a great job!! Come on you Irons!!!!

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Thanks go to Gerry Murtagh for the report and Tom the Travel Sec. The photos are from everyone! back to top of page