Like many, my introduction to soccer, or football as the world knows it, was less than enthusiastic. Growing up, I dismissed it as a sport devoid of action, punctuated only by theatrical dives and frustratingly low scores. My dad, a lifelong soccer devotee and youth coach, was understandably disappointed by my early aversion. Little did I know, a seemingly unlikely film would completely change my perspective and ignite a passion that burns to this day. This transformation began with a movie night and the rather infamous “Green Street Hooligans.”
In 2009, my dad announced a movie night featuring “Green Street Hooligans.” My initial reaction was lukewarm at best. “Soccer fans?” I scoffed. However, his follow-up – “they fight other soccer fans” – piqued my adolescent interest in a way the beautiful game itself never had. Despite knowing the film’s less-than-stellar reputation amongst actual West Ham United supporters, mainly due to questionable accents and a dramatized portrayal of hooliganism, I was instantly hooked. I understand the criticisms; Charlie Hunnam’s cockney accent is indeed something to behold for the wrong reasons. Yet, like a guilty pleasure, akin to enjoying a flawed blockbuster like 1998’s Godzilla, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
While “Green Street Hooligans” isn’t exactly a soccer masterclass – the actual football game time is minimal – it inadvertently set me on a path to soccer fandom. The very next day, my brother and I found ourselves at the store, grabbing a copy of FIFA 09. My soccer knowledge was rudimentary at best. I was vaguely aware of the Seattle Sounders joining MLS thanks to my Seattle Seahawks fandom, but they weren’t available in the game yet. Stuck for options, my mind drifted back to the film. West Ham United, the team at the heart of “Green Street Hooligans,” became my default choice (sorry, Millwall, the movie painted your fans as the antagonists!).
West Ham United crest at London Stadium.
In the digital world of FIFA 09, I discovered the joys of West Ham United. Names like Scott Parker, Carlton Cole, Matthew Upson, Rob Green, and Dean Ashton, my personal favorite, became etched in my burgeoning soccer consciousness. This virtual connection soon translated into real-world fandom. Suddenly, I was invested in the claret and blue.
This newfound allegiance has gifted me some unforgettable moments as a soccer fan, all thanks to West Ham. The sheer elation of Ricardo Vaz Te’s Wembley winner in the Championship Playoff Final to secure Premier League promotion. The triumphant 3-1 victory over Chelsea in our first season back in the top flight in 2013. Securing a double over Tottenham Hotspur in the 2013-2014 season. The nail-biting FA Cup penalty shootout win against Everton in 2015. And of course, the emotionally charged final match at the Boleyn Ground, Upton Park, culminating in a dramatic comeback win against Manchester United.
These cherished memories, these peaks of West Ham support, are something I wouldn’t trade for anything. And it all traces back to a movie that many West Ham fans themselves might cringe at. Yet, every time I revisit “Green Street Hooligans,” I’m transported back to the moment my unexpected soccer journey began, captivated once again by those opening, chant-like lines that resonate deep within any true fan:
“I’m West Ham till I die!
I’m West Ham till I die!
I know I am! I’m sure I am!
I’m West Ham till I die!”
