Farewell Upton Park - it's been a blast

By Jamie Roberton

So after 112 years of history, heritage, dreams and disappointment, and occasional jubilation, that is it - West Ham have finally said their long farewell to Upton Park.

For the last time, fans in claret and blue streamed down Green Street, inhaling that familiar pungent smell of burgers and horse faeces, buying their pies, pints and programmes before watching their final game under the lights.

Grown men cried as I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles reverberated around the old stadium one last time, with many reflecting on what will be lost when their beloved club moves 3.4 miles to their shiny new home in Stratford.

The intimacy, atmosphere and sense of community to name just a few.

The Boleyn could survive the Luftwaffe, but not the pressure to evolve and grow that modern day football demands.

For all the riches and rewards the Olympic Stadium will ultimately bring, it is impossible to escape the feeling that the club's soul and identity, and the wider community is being ripped apart.

Local traders, whose livelihoods have revolved and relied on this stadium, will see their businesses devastated.

Fans enjoyed their final meal at local establishments. Credit: PA

No longer will this area be a hub of frenzied activity on match days.

Come August, fans will stream past M&S, John Lewis and sushi bars rather than traditional old haunts like the Boleyn, Black Horse and Ken's Cafe.

The majority of fans - while still grief-stricken - seem to accept that sentiment and nostalgia cannot come at the price of the club's long-term future.

The move to the 60,000-seater Olympic Stadium and the outrageously good deal that comes with it is simply too fantastic an opportunity to turn down.

West Ham supporters will be off to pastures new. Credit: PA

The fact 52,000 season tickets have already been sold is enough to justify the move.

Maybe the matchday traditions and atmosphere of occasions like March's victory over Spurs under the lights will never be replicated at their new home.

However, the massive revenue boost and enviable location will attract better players and catapult West Ham into the upper echelons of the league and, one day, maybe even Europe.

Winston Reid netted the winner. Credit: PA

The transition may be bumpy as players and fans acclimatise to their new surroundings, but what West Ham do have - which they have severely lacked in years gone by - are fantastic owners, talented players and a bright, young manager.

There is no denying that this is a humongous and gut-wrenching leap into the unknown.

But one thing is for sure: the memories of this beautiful old stadium will never fade and die.