Moving of statue [POLL]

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Should the World Cup winners statue remain in Upton Park or be relocated at Stratford?

Leave it where it is
87
32%
Take it with us
167
62%
Unsure
14
5%
 
Total votes: 268

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upminstercraig
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Moving of statue [POLL]

Post by upminstercraig »

Does anyone else think this is utterly wrong?

It's like its going to wipe away that we were ever at Upton Park. If it's left where it is, it'll be a great place to go back to in the future to show our children & grandchildren, & just generally reminisce about times gone by.

For me, it's the only thing the club have done that genuinely upsets me!
Finger
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Finger »

No it needs to come with us. No way I'd leave alone in that cesspit.
Thekorean
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Thekorean »

Should be moved. It's a symbolic way of making a statement that WHU tradition will remain at the new stadium. And when ya move, don't you take the family heirlooms?
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The Old Mile End
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by The Old Mile End »

The statue should remain where it is.

It brings a bit of culture to the area. Nothing has changed to do with the meaning of the statue and why it was put there in the first place.

It is very local to a ground where the subjects of the artwork played football. This will always remain.

The statue has nothing to do with Stratford.

The last I heard was the locals were petitioning for the statue to remain - and rightly so.

:idea: If you want to see it in the future, make a special trip. Come back to your roots. Have a cup of tea in a nearby cafe and help regenerate the area.
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Harry Hound
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Harry Hound »

I can see the arguments for and against but in IMHO it should stay where it is in Upton Park, WHU have a long history with much of that connected to Upton Park and the idea that history begins with the move to Stratford sounds a bit too year zero to me.
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Finger »

The connection is with West Ham United not the Upton Park/East Ham area. It should sit wherever West Ham United are based.

99% of locals don't know or care what the statue stands for anyway so it'd better suit a position in the Olympic Park which attracts thousands of sports fans who'll fully appreciate it.

The only place more fitting for it would be outside of Wembley Stadium.
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The Old Mile End
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by The Old Mile End »

Finger wrote:The connection is with West Ham United not the Upton Park/East Ham area. It should sit wherever West Ham United are based.

99% of locals don't know or care what the statue stands for anyway so it'd better suit a position in the Olympic Park which attracts thousands of sports fans who'll fully appreciate it.
The fact that locals are petitioning for it to remain doesn't support your view. Do you have local knowledge to back up your view?

The statue is a statue of players who played for West Ham at Upton Park (plus Ray Wilson of course). It is a place where the three main subjects plied their trade. It has nothing to with Stratford.
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richneal
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by richneal »

Has to stay

Edit - Mods - time for a poll on this one? What do you think?
Last edited by richneal on Tue Jul 26, 2016 7:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bubblewrap
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Bubblewrap »

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vietnammer
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by vietnammer »

Agree with OP that 'remain' at least acknowledges a link with The Boleyn. Just feels like total abandonment of the area to move it. So, 'stick' , as it were.
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Simply Moore
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Simply Moore »

Marginal for me but on balance I sway towards it being moved with the justification that more people will get to enjoy it at the new stadium than if we leave it where it is. I am torn though as it does feel a little like abandoning our spiritual home where all our memories have been made.
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MD_HM
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by MD_HM »

Other than match day it's already used as a alcoholics meeting point, a stop to eat chicken from and a general seating place for those that socialise with tins on the street oppose from in thier home and beggars.

There has been a massive increase in the numbers of beggars in the area over the last 3-6 months, probably doesn't get noticed on match days but the place and the memories many have is a long distance memory every other day of the week.

Once we go and gradually the rest of the pubs/pie and mash shut it will only get worse.

I get why they want it to stay as it might drum up a bit of extra business for them and don't blame them for that but the reality of the area I don't think the statue will receive the respect it deserves

I think it should move but only for that reason alone
hammerleroy
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by hammerleroy »

Just leave Ray Wilson there and take our boys! On second thoughts that would look plain daft! OK I'll get me coat!!! :lol:
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Nap
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Nap »

Serious question...who paid for it?
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farmergiles
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by farmergiles »

It seems to be just one of many emotive issues involved with the move. Whatever happens you just know that it will be discussed/argued about for many a year to come.

If it stays and becomes run down, abused and seen more as a glorified seat then people will say it should have moved.

It it moves and the last traces of the history of West Ham in the area become just a memory then fingers will be pointed if local businesses fold cited this as one of the reasons.

IMO the difficult decision is brought about due to the origins of the statue. The fact that it was jointly commissioned by the club and the Newham Council means both will feel they have a certain 'right' on making a decision about it's location. Also the cost was split and although many will say that the Club should possibly give it back to the community as a thank you gesture for previous support, I'm not sure it fits with their ideal of the 'Champions Place' at Stratford.

Maybe the most sensible suggestion would be to commission a new statue of some sort that depicts more of a rounded history of West Ham legends rather than that one specific moment in time.
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Coops
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Coops »

I think it should stay.
Yes the area has changed, but the area is bound to change again with the gentrification that is expanding ever Eastward.
In 20 years, 30 years, 50 years, 100 years time there will be a reminder. People will see the statue and ask the question, why is this just here and the answer is that it is where the famous West Ham United played, the only English club to ever win the World Cup.
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OFT
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by OFT »

Perhaps it should go to the OS. Then, we can watch over it until we get to move again to our own football stadium.

*slightly tongue in cheek*


More seriously, as much as I like the idea of retaining some connection with Upton Park I can't help feeling the longer it stays there the less it will seem like it should.
So reluctantly, take it now and get it over with.
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the pink palermo
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by the pink palermo »

richneal wrote:Edit - Mods - time for a poll on this one? What do you think?
I'm inclined to agree with you Rich, hopefully the gaffer will as well .
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ageing hammer
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by ageing hammer »

I'm surprised they didn't flog it with the seats. :D
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Stepney
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Re: Moving of statue

Post by Stepney »

It's a tough one but I would probably say leave it where it is. There will be plenty of things around the new stadium for fans to enjoy (and other reminders of Moore, Hurst and Peters I'm sure) so maybe leave the statue where it is.
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