Gary Marling

I’m a big family man I love get-together’s and having our grandchildren every weekend, Also love Cars and Motorbikes and a beer or two.

I have been a passionate West Ham supporter since April 1965 when aged 5 my cousin took me to my first game v West Brom and sat me on the wall at the back of the North Bank.  We won 6-1 Brian Deer got 5 goals ‘unforgettable day’ The next time I went to Upton Park there was barbed wire over that wall.

My first away game was v Spurs in 1971 and I stood on the shelf with my brother in-law who tried to change my allegiances, but it didn't work and funnily he got an earful from his mates when we scored and I went bonkers, thanks to Clyde Best we won 1-0.

I have followed our club home and away regularly since the mid 70's, always watching on TV when I couldn't go as I played a fair bit of football in the 80s/90s.

I am a home and away season ticket holder with my mates, I initially sat in the BML, late 90s I moved to The West Side corner where we eventually saw the end of an era and the stadium we all loved, I was truly gutted. We are mostly now in Billy Bonds lower in the corner a similar seating position to Upton Park.