Last week's announcement that West Ham have been "confirmed" as the tenants of The Olympic Stadium obviously merits a post of it' own. But having been buggered about so much in the past and unsurprised by an avalanche of bitching and moaning, I decided to wait a few days in case mobs of lawyers started charging about. Well, nothing serious has yet to appear on the negative front and so, although I'm far from "counting my chickens", I had better prepare myself for what will be a tearful farewell the the Chicken Run.
You'd have to be a pretty hard case not to have "mixed feelings" Smitty. But being as it's West Ham anything can still happen. If the move does come off, those Last Match At The Boleyn tickets are going to be trading hands for some serious gelt !
Along with the tickets I'm sure you'll be able to turf the back garden and buy some handsome plastic seats to jazz up castle Pepper! All at a reasonable price of course. Roll up. Roll up
Filthy, word is that modern turf gets changed on something of a regular basis and I have therefore always assumed that it would be available at a price, but I've never fancied my chances of getting it through U.S.Customs ("Would you please open the suitcase Sir ?"). But it could be time for a bit of re-fit of The Pepper Ponderosa, the Bonanza look doesn't quite pack the same punch as it once did !
I reckon a 3 piece whistle of tightly stitched "Hammer Turf" might get you past the dogs (of course they might want to crap on your leg!). But you're right, I think they change it twice a season, so they can't charge too much....can they?
Well the famous claret entrance gates would look nice out front of the gaff, but I reckon there's going to be some serious competition for those Filthy. I might have to settle for a turn-stile, which I'm thinking of installing in the lavvy !
So at last I can say "There she blows my hearties". Seen in the flesh from the 3rd floor window of John Lewis at the new Westfields Shopping Metropolis and then from about a car park's distance at Pudding Mill Lane. Big and new are the words that come to mind, I couldn't see the inside, so many of the questions remain unanswered, but there is no doubt about it the infrastructure is there. Right now it looks like a building site, lots of Day Glo Geezers in Toe Tactors doing bugger all. They may drag us all into the 21st Century, but as of right now skiveing off remains uncured.
Call it progress - we've been favourably courted, because what else can they do with a stadium that has a life-span of two weeks. Perhaps they should ask 'Lord Coe' - why a stadium was built that was totally useless, unless the plan was to knock it down after the olympics have moved on..onward anyway...
I was lucky enough to have worked in the OS during the Olympics last year and was in there every day for the best part of 4 months (Got paid for it too). It is undoubtably the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at ANY sporting event. After initial doubts about the triumvirate on the board, I realised a while ago that the club means as much to them as it does us and I suspected they wouldn't compromise or sell us out. With the mooted changes to an already magnificent stadium - and park, it should be remembered (whoever thought I'd describe Stratford as 'beautiful')- I can see it being a surprise to many who currently don't want to go there.
Thanks for the insight BB.Glad you got paid and enjoyed the experience, and glad to hear the stadium looks good. I think, as mkhammer suggests, there are many elephants, in many closets, and many politicians who hope the public has a very short memory.
Thanks for the kind words Gavin, right now last seasons Saitches are available for purchase, from Eb & Flow Gallery, 77 Leonard St, Hoxton, London. I know a few have been sold, but my show there contains 53 piece, so there is still plenty to choose from. I'm on someone elses computer and they are currently "el kippo". I will post a link to Eb & Flow, as soon as I can figure out how.
It's not out of the question Lee, I've been discussing all kinds of options - but they all require investment, so I will have to see what can be done. I'm certainly not against the idea of prints.
Last week's announcement that West Ham have been "confirmed" as the tenants of The Olympic Stadium obviously merits a post of it' own. But having been buggered about so much in the past and unsurprised by an avalanche of bitching and moaning, I decided to wait a few days in case mobs of lawyers started charging about. Well, nothing serious has yet to appear on the negative front and so, although I'm far from "counting my chickens", I had better prepare myself for what will be a tearful farewell the the Chicken Run.
ReplyDeleteWell I must admit it finally looks like a probable maybe rather than a maybe maybe.
ReplyDeleteMixed feelings but it'll be nice to finally go one way or t'other.
You'd have to be a pretty hard case not to have "mixed feelings" Smitty. But being as it's West Ham anything can still happen. If the move does come off, those Last Match At The Boleyn tickets are going to be trading hands for some serious gelt !
ReplyDeleteAlong with the tickets I'm sure you'll be able to turf the back garden and buy some handsome plastic seats to jazz up castle Pepper! All at a reasonable price of course. Roll up. Roll up
ReplyDeleteI'm sure until the first click of the new turnstlyles there is a humungous hammer somewhere waiting to go into the works.
ReplyDeleteFilthy, word is that modern turf gets changed on something of a regular basis and I have therefore always assumed that it would be available at a price, but I've never fancied my chances of getting it through U.S.Customs ("Would you please open the suitcase Sir ?"). But it could be time for a bit of re-fit of The Pepper Ponderosa, the Bonanza look doesn't quite pack the same punch as it once did !
ReplyDeleteI reckon a 3 piece whistle of tightly stitched "Hammer Turf" might get you past the dogs (of course they might want to crap on your leg!). But you're right, I think they change it twice a season, so they can't charge too much....can they?
ReplyDeleteWell the famous claret entrance gates would look nice out front of the gaff, but I reckon there's going to be some serious competition for those Filthy. I might have to settle for a turn-stile, which I'm thinking of installing in the lavvy !
ReplyDeletePut a gourmet pie food stand in the OS and their mouths will be too full to complain
ReplyDeleteGood Idea Don't Hurt 'Em, they could always break with Upton Park tradition and try cold beer too !
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSo at last I can say "There she blows my hearties". Seen in the flesh from the 3rd floor window of John Lewis at the new Westfields Shopping Metropolis and then from about a car park's distance at Pudding Mill Lane. Big and new are the words that come to mind, I couldn't see the inside, so many of the questions remain unanswered, but there is no doubt about it the infrastructure is there. Right now it looks like a building site, lots of Day Glo Geezers in Toe Tactors doing bugger all. They may drag us all into the 21st Century, but as of right now skiveing off remains uncured.
ReplyDeleteCall it progress - we've been favourably courted, because what else can they do with a stadium that has a life-span of two weeks. Perhaps they should ask 'Lord Coe' - why a stadium was built that was totally useless, unless the plan was to knock it down after the olympics have moved on..onward anyway...
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to have worked in the OS during the Olympics last year and was in there every day for the best part of 4 months (Got paid for it too). It is undoubtably the best atmosphere I have ever experienced at ANY sporting event. After initial doubts about the triumvirate on the board, I realised a while ago that the club means as much to them as it does us and I suspected they wouldn't compromise or sell us out. With the mooted changes to an already magnificent stadium - and park, it should be remembered (whoever thought I'd describe Stratford as 'beautiful')- I can see it being a surprise to many who currently don't want to go there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insight BB.Glad you got paid and enjoyed the experience, and glad to hear the stadium looks good. I think, as mkhammer suggests, there are many elephants, in many closets, and many politicians who hope the public has a very short memory.
ReplyDeleteHello Andy. Im loving this piece. How might I possibly go about buying something from you direct?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words Gavin, right now last seasons Saitches are available for purchase, from Eb & Flow Gallery, 77 Leonard St, Hoxton, London. I know a few have been sold, but my show there contains 53 piece, so there is still plenty to choose from. I'm on someone elses computer and they are currently "el kippo". I will post a link to Eb & Flow, as soon as I can figure out how.
ReplyDeletewww.ebandflowgallery.com
ReplyDeleteThank mate. I very much like this one in particular so i'll look out for your show next year.
ReplyDeleteLove this piece!!!
ReplyDeleteLee
NYC Hammers
Any chance you'll ever do prints of your works down the line?
ReplyDeleteLee
It's not out of the question Lee, I've been discussing all kinds of options - but they all require investment, so I will have to see what can be done. I'm certainly not against the idea of prints.
ReplyDelete