West Ham 2018/19

Diop looks a very good purchase.He's big,quick,commanding and very good on the ball.I'm surprised bigger clubs weren't in for him.
 
Its with great sadness i am annoucing the death of an old Westham mate of mine,John O'Donoghue,endearingly known to his mates as " Irish John".John collapsed at his home in Beckton on saturday morning,and had been battling for his life at St Bartholomews Hospital ,central London over the past few days...unfortunately his life support was switched off this afternoon...it is the news that i ,and his friends and family had been dreading..and the last 24 hours have not been great ,to say the least.

John was a life-long Hammers fan..an old school fan if you like,a proper die hard ,in attendance at matches for over 40 years.I met John first in the late 80s..he was one of those characters you immediately took a shine to,a nice warm smile every time you saw him.A real hard case-nobody messed with Irish-John,and he loved a drink.One of my best football mates ,another life long Hammer was at his bedside in hospital..i spoke to Mark as he was making his way to his bedside. He told md he had a copy of John Lyalls autobiography to 'read' to John in his final hours..despite him bring unconscious, with neurological complications...

I understand John died peacefully in a WestHam shirt,scarves and badges..
I had struck up a real friendship with a group of Westham fans ,through Mark,an old work colleague,over the past 3 decades.We had been drinking together at Westham City games during this time..at The Boyeln ground,at Maine rd,and The Etihad.John loved drinking around Moss side,whilst other away fans were maybe looking over their shoulder,he would be looking for the next drink-i,m sure he wont mind me saying this...Id enjoyed his company at nearly all the pubs around Westhams old ground,inc The Boleyn i think its called-where once i had a full pint thrown at me after getting a bit a carried away with the post match pub atmosphere....One of my fav trips to their old ground was being invited into their old supporters club,tucked away near to their Main Stand..a place i immediately took a shine to because it reminded me of the old social club at Maine rd....

John was literally Foofball daft.He hated the close season,hated it as he couldnt see his beloved Westham..To my suprise he turned up one afternoon outside the tube station at Selhurst park,he had come along with a City old boy to watch us as Westham werent playing-he just loved his football.Thats probably my fav memory of Irish John..a warm smile and greeting,then headlong into football talk as we walked to the ground..i think it was John who showed our lot a cheap working mens club close to Selhurst ,whers u didn't get ripped off with London prices.

Ive had to tell my old mates in Manchester of the sad news; loads of my mates knew him as he'd normally be there at WHU City games over the years..

3 days before he collapsed i,d agreed to come out of self imposed exile from premiership foofball to take a spare season ticket in the home end at their new ground on the 24th,to see City....-i was looking forward to catching up wifh John and the rest of my Hammers mates...then events took a very sad turn.

I apologise for rambling on....Irish John symbolised everything i loved about watching Football in the old days.He was there when City got relegated late 80s ,and when we won the league under Pellegrini.
RIP John O,Donoghue.it was a pleasure to have known you mate...i,m off to play 5 a side footy now,hoping to put in a good performance in memory of you.
 
dennishasdoneit said:
Its with great sadness i am annoucing the death of an old Westham mate of mine,John O'Donoghue,endearingly known to his mates as " Irish John".John collapsed at his home in Beckton on saturday morning,and had been battling for his life at St Bartholomews Hospital ,central London over the past few days...unfortunately his life support was switched off this afternoon...it is the news that i ,and his friends and family had been dreading..and the last 24 hours have not been great ,to say the least.

John was a life-long Hammers fan..an old school fan if you like,a proper die hard ,in attendance at matches for over 40 years.I met John first in the late 80s..he was one of those characters you immediately took a shine to,a nice warm smile every time you saw him.A real hard case-nobody messed with Irish-John,and he loved a drink.One of my best football mates ,another life long Hammer was at his bedside in hospital..i spoke to Mark as he was making his way to his bedside. He told md he had a copy of John Lyalls autobiography to 'read' to John in his final hours..despite him bring unconscious, with neurological complications...

I understand John died peacefully in a WestHam shirt,scarves and badges..
I had struck up a real friendship with a group of Westham fans ,through Mark,an old work colleague,over the past 3 decades.We had been drinking together at Westham City games during this time..at The Boyeln ground,at Maine rd,and The Etihad.John loved drinking around Moss side,whilst other away fans were maybe looking over their shoulder,he would be looking for the next drink-i,m sure he wont mind me saying this...Id enjoyed his company at nearly all the pubs around Westhams old ground,inc The Boleyn i think its called-where once i had a full pint thrown at me after getting a bit a carried away with the post match pub atmosphere....One of my fav trips to their old ground was being invited into their old supporters club,tucked away near to their Main Stand..a place i immediately took a shine to because it reminded me of the old social club at Maine rd....

John was literally Foofball daft.He hated the close season,hated it as he couldnt see his beloved Westham..To my suprise he turned up one afternoon outside the tube station at Selhurst park,he had come along with a City old boy to watch us as Westham werent playing-he just loved his football.Thats probably my fav memory of Irish John..a warm smile and greeting,then headlong into football talk as we walked to the ground..i think it was John who showed our lot a cheap working mens club close to Selhurst ,whers u didn't get ripped off with London prices.

Ive had to tell my old mates in Manchester of the sad news; loads of my mates knew him as he'd normally be there at WHU City games over the years..

3 days before he collapsed i,d agreed to come out of self imposed exile from premiership foofball to take a spare season ticket in the home end at their new ground on the 24th,to see City....-i was looking forward to catching up wifh John and the rest of my Hammers mates...then events took a very sad turn.

I apologise for rambling on....Irish John symbolised everything i loved about watching Football in the old days.He was there when City got relegated late 80s ,and when we won the league under Pellegrini.
RIP John O,Donoghue.it was a pleasure to have known you mate...i,m off to play 5 a side footy now,hoping to put in a good performance in memory of you.
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Lovely post, sounds like football will be a sadder place without him.

RIP Irish John.
 
dennishasdoneit said:
Cheers Blue.Thanks very much for your thoughts.
Click to expand...
Dennis. Known him by sight and the odd nod over the years. He was part of the furniture around UP in the pubs and as you mention, the supporters club, and away games of course. He was regularly on the Hornchurch coach to away games which I’ve been on a couple of times.

Really sorry for the loss of your mate. Your friendship shows we’re not all Neanderthal thugs and can co exist. Unfortunately for us Man City are no longer the West Ham of the north ,those footballing bonds went but not the social ones. RIP John, and commiserations to you Dennis
 
Met Line Hammer said:
Dennis. Known him by sight and the odd nod over the years. He was part of the furniture around UP in the pubs and as you mention, the supporters club, and away games of course. He was regularly on the Hornchurch coach to away games which I’ve been on a couple of times.

Really sorry for the loss of your mate. Your friendship shows we’re not all Neanderthal thugs and can co exist. Unfortunately for us Man City are no longer the West Ham of the north ,those footballing bonds went but not the social ones. RIP John, and commiserations to you Dennis
Click to expand...
Thanks very much for your post MLH..i found it ironic your location on here is the place where my fav memory of 'Irish John' is described in my original post above...the random meeting on the way to Palace (it could hv been Wimbledon tbf) v City at Selhurst Park..

I am still coming to terms with todays news...despite being pre-warned by another long standing WHU friend.

I am aware that WHU,s leading fanzines WHO and Knees Up Mother Brown have threads dedicated to John,inc posts by Bill Gardner....i need say no more ( Willie Donachie may remember the name; )

I,m sure WHU will be informed in due course...there is very likely to be a good mention in the next home match programme.....which of course is against City next week.Thanks again for your comments MLH.
 
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