History

West Ham United moved to the location in 1904 and rented ground from the "London" District of Upton Park (the ground was actually in the Essex Council District of East Ham which did not become part of London until 1965) who were using Green Street House as a school. Green Street House was known locally as Boleyn Castle because of its imposing nature and an association with Anne Boleyn (she had either stayed at, or as some believe, owned the house). Hence renting the grounds of "Boleyn Castle" the name Boleyn Ground came into being. Today the ground is far more commonly known as Upton Park.

In August 1944, a V-1 flying bomb landed on the south-west corner of the pitch. This forced the team to play their games away from home while repairs were carried out, but it did not seem to affect performances as they managed nine consecutive victories. Upon their return to the ground in December, they lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur. Some things never change.

Modernisation/Improvements

The stadium was subject to considerable redevelopment during the 1990s:

• 1993: South Bank replaced by a new 9,000 seat, two tier stand named after Bobby Moore. The stand also incorporates executive boxes as well as a digital clock.
• 1995: North Bank replaced by a new 6,000 seat, two tier stand named the 'Centenary Stand'. The East Stand Lower is also made all seater.
• 2001: West Stand replaced by a new 15,000 seat, two tier stand named the 'Dr. Martens Stand'. The stand also incorporates executive boxes on two levels as well as the West Ham United Hotel and Museum.

Plans have been submitted to increase the capacity to approximately 42,000 through the building of a new East Stand, which is a shame because that’s where I sit. When I was a kid the East stand looked gleamingly modern, but to be fair, does look a bit past it’s best now. The development will result in a fully enclosed stadium by joining the new stand to the Centenary Stand and the Bobby Moore Stand. Relegation to the Football League Championship in 2003 resulted in the development being delayed. However promotion to the FA Premier League via the Play-Offs in May 2005 resulted in the immediate re-submission of plans to Newham Council. The timing of the development is now dependent upon the club establishing itself again as a regular member of the Premier League.

Throughout 2006, talk was rife of West Ham moving to the as yet unbuilt Olympic Stadium with speculation increasing after new club owner Eggert Magnusson confirmed he was interested in a move there. The fans in general opposed the move. However, talks broke down between the club and the Olympic Comitee after it was announced that the Stadium would be reduced to 25,000 all-seater after the Olympic Games, which is 10,000 less than we have now, and that the stadium would be keeping its running track, leaving us further away from the pitch. Recent rumours have suggested that West Ham could move to the Parcelforce depot near to West Ham Underground/mainline station.

General Ground Information

As in most grounds the bars get a bit rammed during half time and there’s less of a queue for the ladies than the gents. Standard fare on sale – the chicken balti pies have become popular, even if they are traditionally cooked to be cold on the outside, lava on the inside. Prices are high. This is London after all, we have our second homes in the country to pay for.   Some away fans have complained about the view in the lower rows of the Centenary stand but I haven’t sat there myself. There’s certainly no problem with heights – the ground may have been developed but it’s still pretty compact.   As for smoking, I’m pretty sure it’s not allowed in the seats (but that doesn’t stop people doing it) but you might be advised to have your gasper in the concourse.   Getting in/out; the new computerised swipe card system hasn’t always run smoothly and it can get a bit sweaty in the queue at five to three (for older readers) but I’ve had no reports from away fans about particular problems at their end.   The Bobby Moore (can you believe we waited until he died before naming a stand after him ?) lower and uppers and our bit of the Centenary are the main singing areas but on a lively night it spreads right round the ground.  There’s a family enclosure in the Bobby Moore stand too where swearing is outlawed. Yeah, right.