For the Hammers, a victory over our capital foes would effectively secure us Premier League status for next season. Although the majority of Hammers in the soccer betting world realistically know our place is safe for next term, Sam Allardyce won’t rest easy until it is mathematically impossible for West Ham to do down.

Chelsea, meanwhile, need a win desperately and are in high spirits after upsetting the FA Cup online betting odds by clawing back a two-goal deficit at Old Trafford to draw 2-2 with Manchester United in the FA Cup.

The Blues face a tough UEFA Europa League match with Steaua Bucharest on Thursday and that game will give Allardyce a real opportunity to see how this Chelsea team will attack on Sunday.

Allardyce will do his research as usual and it is likely that Demba Ba will start against our formidable defence, with Fernando Torres playing 90 minutes on Thursday.

Ba has been prolific for both Newcastle and Chelsea since he left Upton Park two years ago and, although we fans will give him stick on Sunday, he knows we appreciate what he did for the club in such a short period of time.

He won’t get much room to play with up against Winston Reid and James Collins, however, for the Hammers’ centre-back pairing are in rich form after keeping a clean sheet away at Stoke last weekend.

Chelsea will take the game to West Ham and it is for us to congest the midfield and stop Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, and Oscar from working their twinkle-toed magic.

With the amount of money Chelsea spent on players this season, they should walk straight through us on paper but, if December’s reverse fixture is anything to go by, we have a chance for all three points this Sunday.

Loyal West Ham fans worldwide are donning their walking shoes this weekend is support of a cancer charity close to the club’s heart.

The annual walk has been organised by 12-year-old Jonjo Heuerman in memory of his Nanny Lyn and Hammer’s great Bobby Moore, both of whom died from bowel cancer. His aim is to raise money the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK, which does wonderful things to help tackle the disease. Donate here…

To mark the occasion in Sydney, the Sydney Hammers plan to participate in their own six mile (10 kilometre) walk to coincide with events back in East London and around the world.

The supporters group will set off from The Royal Exhibition Hotel at 9pm and head towards the Allianz Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park. From there, the route will take fans down to Mrs Macquarie’s chair for photos of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then back down Elizabeth Street to the Royal Exhibition (Read about full route here…)

Supporters from all clubs are welcome on the walk, which Robbie Byrne, Chairman of the Sydney Hammers, hopes will be a great success.

“We want everyone to come along in high spirits and in loud voice,” he said.

“It’s a great initiative and something we are both passionate and proud to be part of.

“We hope as many football supporting people as possible will turn out to back the event, which does such fantastic things for people suffering from bowel cancer.”

All those attending are asked to wear their football colours, bring their cameras and be ready for a good old sing-song along the way.

Jonjo did his first charity walk in 2011, when he walked from Wembley Stadium to West Ham’s Boleyn Ground. He has so far raised more than £125,000 for the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Writing on his person website, he said: “I thought my walk would be just me and my small family.

“I did not realise my family would get bigger. I am really grateful to everyone who helped me and continue to help.”

A trivia quiz is being held at the Royal Exhibition hotel beforehand. The event has been organised by the Football Fans Down Under as a warm-up to the walking celebrations, and with the aim of raising some money for the charity. The quiz kicks off at 4pm, in Chalmers Street pub, and is open to everyone. (More details here…)

For more up to the minute news, check out our Facebook page here, or email chairman@sydneyhammers.com.au.

COYI

You’re welcome to enter your own team or you can join up with one of the team’s we are entering into it. Teams of 4/5 as a rule with a cost yet to be decided, but it won’t be anything silly. My team is called The Moore the Merrier (see what I did there?). Please support us. This is a very special day for West Ham fans worldwide and for the Bobby Moore cancer fund.

It’s all happening on Saturday 23rd February and the trivia is at the Royal Exhibition Hotel in Sydney, opposite Central station.

WALK ROUTE:

9pm – Start at the REH. Group Photo

Head up Chalmers Street and Cleveland Street to Moore Park. Photo at the Allianz (SFS) and/or SCG stadiums.

From there down Oxford Street (Kevin Bradford specifically asked for this) and turn right onto College street.

We will walk down to Mrs Macquarie’s chair and get a photo of the group with the Opera Houuse and Harbour Bridge in the background. (@SydneyHammers will be tweeting the pics to the group in the UK throughout the walk).

Then exit the botanic gardens on the far side at Macquarie Street and walk down to Elizabeth street and back up to the Royal Exhibition to finish the loop.

Total distance is approx 10km, which is approx 6 miles to match what they are doing in the UK. (No, dont need anyone to tell me its not exactly the correct distance, thanks)

You are welcome to join us at the start or even at any point during the walk. Please bring cameras and take lots of photos!!!

Bring family, friends and even Spurs fans!

COYI and COYSH, great cause.

For more information on how you can support this great cause please contact us

As the train stops at Strathfield the excitement begins to build there’s only one more stop to go there is a quick check to make sure you’ve got all your stuff the book and iPod go away. Once I’ve reached my destination I fly out of the train doors on my way for the train station exit generally accompanied by a mate or two. Often without fail asked to belt out I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles with an ex-pat ducking and weaving through a sea of soon to be hung over teenagers and lost tourists. Finally in the distance I see the home of the Sydney Hammers the one and only Royal Exhibition. I’m generally there well before kick-off so it’s still reasonably quiet. As soon as I open the doors I see the regular Sydney hammers lads at the regular table discussing the tips for the weekend’s fixtures or who scored for the five a side tournament. This is generally followed by the purchase of one or two refreshments in preparation for the game time moves quickly on from here and before you know we’re not far from kick-off.

By now the West Ham flag is up on the window the people have descended into a tight group a few still stocking up on refreshments. We have generally sung the club anthem I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles as well as a little chant about a stocky ex-Hammer. Now all energy is focused on the match whether it’s the enthusiastic chanting that follows a goal or a close miss, or it’s the willing of the side to claw back a deficit or a late winner there are few dull moments. Half time is a time for reflection on the first 45 and a chance to soothe your throat from the chanting with some refreshments, generally the appeal for free pies also goes up about now. Much the same avid support as the first half here apart from if there is late goal for us then the place goes off. If it’s an early to regular kick-off time the Sydney hammers stick around for a few last refreshments before heading off separate ways.

This doesn’t end my night however as I still have my trip home generally the all stops train arriving at Broadmeadow sometime between 7am and 10am depending on the trip. Most of my mates just go to sleep for the duration but not myself. If we’ve won I find myself going over the goals in my mind as well as the reaction from the Sydney hammers. If we lose it leaves me going over the chances we had or what we need to do next time. It also leaves me waiting anxiously for the next meet when we’ll get the result for sure. The train arrives home and I’m past the point of being tired so instead I grab breakfast and watch the highlights of the match. This is what being a Sydney Hammer means for me I wouldn’t have it any other way.

There’s something special about West Ham. Whether it’s the history of the club, the ties to the area or the special bond with the loyal fans something sets west ham apart from all the other clubs. Sure we’ve had some legends at the club Moore, Hurst, Brooking, Bonds, Di Canio, etc. We’ve had some great seasons like the 86 season or the 2006 FA cup run and we are the academy of football. But what sets us apart is the bad seasons they are what have made this club what it is today.

Sounds strange I know but you only have to look at other prestigious clubs outside the premier league who haven’t come back from or haven’t been the same since failures for example Leeds, Nottingham, the Sheffield clubs to know that there has to be something more to this club for it to be continually fighting above its weight.  I mean we don’t have the financial power some clubs have, our key players are continually poached and historically insignificant clubs keep getting stronger.

It’s when we are at our lowest that the club starts a clean sheet and moves to bring back past glory, I mean that aforementioned 2006 FA Cup run started with us getting promoted after a few years of lows, The 1980 FA Cup win came after being relegated in 78 and even last year might be the start of something. The Fans while disappointed at the failures were never going to leave the club it instils a belief in you that glory will return. Last season was a testing season for anyone the inconsistent form, the loss of Scott Parker, the new style of play and at times wavering hope. But as the season came to a close we didn’t go under we got stronger. It wasn’t a case of oh no we have to make it out of the playoffs it was more get over Cardiff and we’ll have our big day at Wembley and did we ever. I believe it to be my greatest night as a hammer.

In London our ticket allocation sold out, the players passion for the club and their desire for it to succeed shown up through the weeks formalities. When the day finally came I got to see what this club meant to people up close and personal as a Sydney Hammer. People who had spent their lives supporting and living the west ham way, I mean I had been to meets before but none had the weight behind them that this fixture did. We started alright and came away with first blood only for it to be snatched away and a cruel defeat imminent, Not that you would know it in Sydney we sang together as one willing them on, the last crack before full time Cole and the keeper collide while Vaz Te hammers it home. Not only did it mean we had won and were promoted. It meant once again West Ham were in the spotlight. We had risen again the working class club had fought back even if it was because of own failures earlier in the year all was forgotten in the sheer excitement of the day.

One only has to look at the people involved to see how much west ham means. Modern day players are often seen as cash cows and it’s often the case but look at the sacrifice Carlton Cole took to make this club succeed, The Owners dipping into their own funds to help out the club and fans the world over willing to pay and arm and a leg just to be able to watch this club. I don’t know what it is about this mighty club that keeps me and millions of others supporting it fervently through thick and thin. I may never be able to explain it but I know something’s there and it always will be.

We always try to document as much as we can from our events with the Sydney Hammers.

Far from being just a group that gets together to watch our boys in Claret and Blue every now and then, we want to create a record of what it is like to support the team Down Under in Sydney.

The Facebook group, which has smashed through 300 members, is a fantastic forum for discussion and banter.

Some of the group are good enough to take photos from events and upload them to provide a great memory.

We also have this site, www.sydneyhammers.com.au, which we try our best to keep updated and relevant. We’d love to host as many articles from Sydney Hammers members as possible, so if you fancy writing something, feel free to submit articles to chairman@sydneyhammers.com.au.

But we have now also set up a dedicated YouTube channel. The aim is to make it the home of all videos from our events. So far, a few videos have been uploaded, and a number have been favourited. But if you have any footage from the Play-Off Final night at the Royal Exhibition, or of us walking down George Street before the game, please send it through to so we can get it on the page.

Also send us the links to any cool West Ham videos you’ve seen, and we’ll make sure we favourite them for us all to check out.

The email address for the YouTube videos is sydneyhammers1@gmail.com.

As the new season progresses, the aim is to keep it updated with links for goals and highlights, as well as any other relevant West Ham footage. Don’t forget to subscribe to the channel!

Our aim is to support the club we love as best as we can from the other side of the world, so anything you’re interested in helping out with, get in touch through the website.

There are some football sites that like to analyse results and performances, offering ideas about what it means for the club, where it puts us, and peruse over possible permutations ahead of the next game.

So in a similar vein, here is a shortlist of observations from play off final day. But as always, we want to put a Sydney Hammers’ spin our articles. This is the top five things we may have learnt as a result of bringing around 300 West Ham United fans together, in a pub on the other side of the World, to witness a historic match in the clubs history.

1) The best fans:

The first, probably most obvious observation, was that we have the best fans. We probably already realised this. But just quite how good and strong the support was made a reality by the turnout in the Royal Exhibition. The atmosphere, attitude and banter inside and outside the pub was sensational.

Despite the ticket fiasco back home, it was clear to see just how great our support is. And as at Wembley, we almost had too many for the venue to cope with.

2) Amazing venue:

It was further emphasised just how good a home venue the The Royal Exhibition really is for the Sydney Hammers. It’s simply a fantastic place to watch football. The staff are really hospitable, the bouncers are always sensible, and the management are great hosts. They allowed us to put up flags, balloons, scarves, and really ensure the bar had a bubble blowing Boleyn Ground feel.

Thanks to everyone at the Royal Exhibition who helped in getting the event put on, and we really hope we treat the place right. We look forward to many more celebrations there in future.

 3) We’re gaining momentum:

Everything around the club seems to have momentum right now, not least the Sydney Hammers Supporters group. Just as West Ham are preparing for their return to the big time, we’re taking our group to a new level. We picked up well over 100 fans in the build up to the final, and numbers continue to grow. It not only means watching live matches will come with even more of a buzz, but our presence at events such as five-a-side tournaments and pub quizzes can be even stronger.

4) Chelsea fans are muppets:

Now, I’m not usually one to bag out opposition fans, but something that was stand out on play off final day was the attitude of Chelski fans. Their supporters club had arranged to meet at the Royal Exhibition to watch their Champions League final. But sadly, they came with terrible banter, were obnoxious, and the fact they only got 30 for the Champions League again emphasises how strong our supporters network is.

We were prepared to stick around and back Chelsea through the final, what with the possible repercussions for Spurs, but they just made for an unpleasant atmosphere. We’d always hope we can have more fun and be more gracious when following West Ham Down Under.

5) Always true Claret and Blue:

But finally, what was most clear from the final, was that it will always be worth following West Ham. The day was amazing, the result was incredible, and the celebrations raucous.

In the first game of the NPower Championship season, we lost in the last minute toCardiff. “Typical West Ham” we all declared. But none of us truly walked away from it, despite the idle threats.

We stuck with the team. We went through the highs and lows of the season. There were tragically early starts, questionable tactics and shocking results. But having got through all that, it culminated in a fantastic day and a perfect result that I for one wouldn’t swap for anything.

We all know when we sign up to support West Ham, we’re never in for an easy ride, but it just makes those successes even sweeter.

Everyone who was part of the day in Sydney and witnessed the match as part of the Sydney Hammers will have their own memories of how it unfolded.

Chances are though, every recollection revolves around excitement, pride, delight, despair, frustration, desperation, sheer joy, unbridled ecstasy. Nothing at all like most West Ham games or overall seasons then…!?

So following those feelings and fitting them to points throughout the day, I’ll try to document how the day developed.

Cup final days are all about the anticipation building before heading out for the match. And a fantastic growing support group around the Sydney Hammers meant plans were well in place for a bubble bursting event.

I’d say the excitement for most of us started as soon as we woke up. From early on there were some great comments on the Facebook page coupled with photos of all things Claret and Blue being laid out.

The week had dragged on long enough with the build-up and all the talk, and match day hardly flew by.

But crowds started gathering at Cheers Bar from 5pm, well ahead of the midnight kick-off, more for mutual support and counselling than anything else.

Numbers slowly grew as the afternoon turned into evening, with around 40 bubble blowing boys and girls in full voice by around 9pm.

Then came the period of pride. The group marched in full voice down George Street and towards the Royal Exhibition Hotel. Flags were flying, chants were being recited with gusto and arms were raised aloft in praise.

We were representing West Ham Down Under, and doing it the way it should be done. Joking with passers by, receiving hoots from passing motorists, and drawing nothing but baffled smirks from any police officers we walked by. No damage, no aggression, no carnage.

And then we made it to the REx, fully kitted out with flags, banners, balloons and scarves. We had created a true supporters pub and a caldron of East End excitement.

When the kick off finally came around, the pub was a heaving with Hammers. Estimates are that around 300 fans crowded together to watch the match, and delight followed when Carlton Cole’s goal meant West Ham went in one nil up at half time.

But true to usual form, it was followed by the feelings of despair, frustration and desperation, as Blackpool equalised. Statistics of them having more than 70 per cent of the possession did little to settle nerves, and some clear chances were thankfully wasted.

The game, so much of a lottery in itself, was ebbing towards extra time and the prospect of penalties when Vaz Te smashed home.

Cue the feeling of sheer joy. The weight was lifted, the apprehension eclipsed by relief and scenes you’re unlikely to see at a live football match in Sydney.

Beer flew everywhere and women were sheltered as the celebrations in the pub mirrored those of the thousands gathered back at Wembley.

And after battling through the four minutes injury time, the final whistle was greeted with unbridled ecstasy. It was the culmination of a long season, and had culminated in the ultimate prize. If even somewhat belated, promotion to the premiership was the main aim, and it had been achieved.

The delight was immeasurable as the hundreds of fans burst into deafening renditions of Bubbles.

It was the perfect end to a great day in the history of West Ham, and the Sydney Hammers.

The supporters group stuck together, and in fact flourished, following relegation, and the support, passion and fun of the event suggests there’s far more to come now we are back in the big time.

Here’s to enjoying many more days of West Ham success in Sydney.

C’mon you Irons!

The 3 Day Camp attracted some of Sydney’s most elite youth players including players from Melbourne and Adelaide. The camp was overseen by Mike Leigh UEFA “A” Licensed West Ham United Academy Scout and Coach with 30+ Years Elite Youth Football Coaching experience. Mike Leigh is credited with Scouting some of West Ham United most promising future stars including Australian U/17?s and future Socceroo Dylan Tombides who is now seen as an integral part of the West Ham United Youth Academy.

A select group of elite players have also been chosen from the Sydney ID Camp and will be invited to the West Ham United Academy in London to attend the 2013 West Ham United Academy experience with other elite players joining them from Europe, North America and South East Asia.

The standard across the three days of both the coaching by West Ham United Scout & Coach Mike Leigh and also the player participation was of the highest professional standard. With this in mind we eagerly anticipate the 2013 ID Camp and wish all elite selected players travelling to London in 2013 the very best of luck in their West Ham United Academy Expereince.

For more information contact Galaxy Football School on admin@galaxyfootballschool.com or 0457 107 514

Please find a review of Sydney’s first West Ham United Youth Talent ID Camp for your perusal thanks to Galaxy Football School, Official Club Partner of West Ham United International Academy.

2012 (SYDNEY) West Ham United Youth Talent ID Camp Report