Farewell To The Boleyn: 17 Majestic Photos Of West Ham’s Famous Old Stadium Through The Years

Chris Wright

10th, May 2016

As we’re sure you’re aware, tonight’s Premier League tie against Manchester United will represent West Ham’s final ever game at Upton Park, the club’s home for the last 112 years.

It truly is the end of a footballing epoch, and is certain to be an emotional night for everybody involved as the The Hammers gear up to move out and into the nearby Olympic Stadium as of next season.

To mark the occasion, here’s a cavalcade of photos of the Boleyn Ground through the years – a ground that has been through many changes since it first opened in 1904 without ever surrendering its soul…

Players leap for the ball during a match between West Ham and Reading, March 1914

West Ham player Syd Puddefoot trains at Upton Park, August 1921

Crowds of hat-wearing football fans watch a cup tie match between West Ham and Corinthians at Upton Park, January 1929

Football fans queuing to get into a West Ham’s cup tie against Arsenal, February 1930

Enthusiastic supporters at a London derby match between West Ham and Arsenal at Upton Park, March 1930

A good-tempered football crowd at West Ham pass a young boy over their heads to the front so he can get a better view of the game, March 1930

A St John’s Ambulanceman gives drinks to the crowd at the match between West Ham and Huddersfield at Upton Park, August 1930

An injured spectator is removed from the crowd during a sixth round FA Cup clash between West Ham and Birmingham City at Upton Park, March 1933

West Ham fans attend the match between Kingstonians and Whitehall Printeries (of Leeds) in the FA Amateur Cup Final, March 1933

Soldiers watch the last game to be played at Upton Park before the outbreak of World War II stops all league football, September 1939

German prisoners enjoying a day out at Upton Park to watch West Ham play Bradford. The men were allowed out because of their good behaviour, circa 1946

West Ham’s Albert Foan, along with Leeds’ John Charles and goalkeeper Roy Wood, scramble for the ball as it trickles over the goal line for The Hammers’ first goal, March 1955

Young West Ham fans wait to get into Upton Park through the ‘Boys’ entrance, 1960s

A sign showing the entry prices in shillings and pence following decimalisation, at Upton Park, circa 1971

A crowd of supporters on the roof of a tower block overlooking the fourth round FA Cup match between West Ham and Hereford, 1972

Football fans queuing to get tickets at West Ham’s home ground Upton Park for the game against Manchester United, January 1972

Upton Park by floodlight, before the 1980 European Cup Winners Cup game between West Ham and Spanish side Castilla, which was played behind closed doors after crowd trouble in the first match in Madrid.

(Photos: Getty Images)

Posted in Featured, Newsnow, Photos, Retro, West Ham Utd

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