It's fair to say that us West Ham United supporters can be an emotional lot.
It goes without saying that some of West Ham's football over the years has been enough to reduce many supporters to tears. So with that in mind, we asked our followers on social media if they could recall the first time West Ham made them cry - whether through joy or unbridled anguish.Unsurprisingly, the two events that led to most tearful episodes are relegation and losing major finals - with the 2011 relegation and the 2006 FA Cup penalty shootout defeat against Liverpool still fresh in many minds.
The best of you responses we bring you below...
Relegations
It was May 1989. I bunked off school and made my way up to Anfield. We needed a win to stay up, Liverpool were going for the title. 1-1 at half time I thought we had a chance, but 4 2nd half goals we lost 5-1 and went down. The first of many times 🐻
— Bubbles the bear (@bubbles_bear1) February 14, 2018
Relegation 78
— Luke Morris (@lwrmorris) February 14, 2018
My very first visit to UP, last game of 77/78 season versus LFC, I was 12 year old guest of a certain Mr John Lyall... we lost 0-2 and relegated, I cried all the way back to Ramsgate... COYI
— MC Hammer (@mattcross66) February 15, 2018
Relegation at Birmingham. Knowing we would lose a lot of talent because of it. FA Cup final was a strange one. Completely gutted, but proud at the same time
— Twistandshout (@CarltonGoal) February 14, 2018
Relegation against Birmingham was one time, although FA cup against arsenal when we went out on pens was the first time! 98 I think 🤔
— Jon Lescott (@jonlescott) February 14, 2018
Getting relegated and then Defoe handing in a transfer request moments after
— calum vango (@calumv89) February 14, 2018
Cup Catastrophes
The f.a cup final, still to this day I refuse to watch any highlight from that game, that gerrard screamer haunts me 😂
— ⚒MikloškoNearMoscow⚒ (@bigboymiklosko) February 14, 2018
When I thought we were about to win the FA Cup in 2006, a few minutes before they equalised
— Jamie Cramer (@jamie_cramer76) February 14, 2018
2006 fa cup final. I couldn't watch the last 5 mins of normal time. I hid in the concourse. I knew we wouldn't win after Gerrard scored. never been so gutted.😔 I was 28! 😢😢
— Rob (@fruin_rob) February 14, 2018
First and only time, 1976 ECWC Final. And in my defence in was only 7!!
— Ruislip Hammer (@ruislip_hammer) February 14, 2018
West Ham 2 Anderlecht 4. Cup winners cup final 1976. 1st and only time. I was inconsolable.
— Gavin Morrison (@Gavtheflute) February 15, 2018
1981 I was 12 , league cup final replay v Liverpool Paul Goddard put us in front but we lost 2- 1 I was in Hospital with a little b/w tele cried like a baby #coyi
— micky butler (@mickyboyb) February 14, 2018
Whe we lost to palace in the play off final at cardiff i dont actually remember crying when we got relegated though... very strange 🤔🤔
— Russell Jaggs (@russell_1990) February 14, 2018
2006 cup final.
— ⚒ Peter D ⚒ (@PDlegend) February 14, 2018
Saw it happen live standing next to my dad & 2 boys
Still to this day haven’t been able to watch it again.
Absolutely heartbreaking. https://t.co/ow0VDWYLyl
91 semi final v forest. A very sad but proud 12 yr old!
— 6moore (@6moore_) February 14, 2018
When Samassi Abou hit the post in the ‘98 FA Cup QF penalty shootout vs. Arsenal. Was under my bed for hours. https://t.co/wvwzKhdsxF
— Ben Smith (@ben_smith_123) February 14, 2018
1986 FA Cup qtr final defeat away to Sheffield Weds.
— henri desgranges (@henridesgranges) February 15, 2018
Losing 3-2 at home to Spurs in the FA Cup aged 9. I had been to the Old Trafford win and thought it was our year
— Morgan Rees (@MorganRees333) February 14, 2018
West Ham and Keith Hackett share the credit for the first time, and Bobby Zamora for last time. Very different feelings.
— Tom Webster (@tommydoubleyoo) February 14, 2018
For Crying Out Loud
2-2 v Birmingham 02/03
— John Lyall Claret & Blue Army (@Fwesthamtilidie) February 14, 2018
Fa Cup final
Last game at upton park
Probably my first game - lost 1-0 at Forest 1971.
— Martin Hammer (@MartinWHUSlayed) February 15, 2018
86/87 and strictly speaking it was the Liverpool result on the Saturday that rendered our trip to Goodison redundant.
— ullrich1974 ⚒ (@keisser1974) February 14, 2018
Rio being sold. Ripped a poster of him down from my wall. Never got any better really.
— Cal Thomson (@Cal1895) February 14, 2018
The Gary Breen masterclass, don’t know why it upset me so much considering I’ve witnessed relegation twice and losing in the FA Cup final. The speeding ticket on top of losing 6-0 couldn’t get anymore West Ham if you tried.
— Haydn Smith-Sheppard (@Hayds_) February 14, 2018
Pardew year 2004 in the Championship. Remember carefully, it was rubbish to start with. My 8 yr old boy ST holder of 4 yrs said to me
— HammerTom (@TomHill0118) February 14, 2018
‘Dad, I don’t want to come any more’
Like a knife to the heart 😥😥
He did still come though. Child abuse 🤣🤣 https://t.co/2EuRrK0OEN
I was at a birthday party too that day! How odd!? I think my first tears were after the FA cup loss away at Newport. I still remember listening to Bryon Butler’s commentary sitting at the kitchen table with my Dad, knowing the next day at school would be hell!
— Richard Kent (@richardkent) February 15, 2018
Paul Allen leaving.
— John Smith (@verypopularname) February 14, 2018
The first of many to break my heart, https://t.co/oM4lqOAgoN
Coming out the north bank to see the "Lyall out" protest outside the main entrance, dunno how old I was but I cried all the way up Green Street. He was a hero of mine .
— Antony Ince (@inceywinceys) February 15, 2018
Boxing Day 1967 in the Noth Bank as a 9 year old against Leicester City. Went 2 down early and turned to my Dad with tears in my eyes and said ‘Will they win Dad’ and he said ‘of course they will’. Brooking and Dear scored 2-2 by ht and the Dear scored 2 more. Ended 4-2.
— Elmer Fudd (@RobB64632325425) February 14, 2018
8th March 1980, we beat Villa 1 nil, I was walking home as I only lived a few roads from the ground, I was 14, I got jumped by about 15 villa fans who kicked shit out of me. 2 broken ribs and concussion. I only cried because I didn’t think me Mum would let me go football again.
— Ron Mahoney (@RonMahoney1965) February 14, 2018
I remember getting hit in the nuts with my claret and blue leather West Ham football. Pumped up to the max. Circa 1986, Southwark Park.
— Greg Richards (@Made_of_Iron) February 14, 2018
Tears of Joy
Play off final at Wembley 2012. Was so happy to have won but was sad my grandad wasn't there to see it. I had also had a few beers!
— Chloe Atkins (@catkins1984) February 14, 2018
1975 when we won the F.A CUP, alan taylor getting the goals....and i was only 13, but it was special to me
— jeff smithers⚒⚒ (@jeffsmithers2) February 14, 2018
2006 FA Cup Final, watching it with my Dad here in Australia. First cry at a game was the last season at the Boleyn we came over from Aus for 2 games, Everton and West Brom, I’ve never cried so much, I was just happy to share the moments with my Dad.
— Liam Bull (@BULLZA7) February 15, 2018
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