‘I’ll never forget the play-off tie against Ipswich at Upton Park’

Blowing Bubbles writer Lucy Woolford looks back at her time supporting the Irons

First West Ham game: Enjoyed a few friendlies and a youth cup final in my early years. My first league game was against Spurs in 2001. The game was average but I was too excited to care. We lost 1-0 but my overriding (and random!) memory is Poyet suffering from a concussion!

Favourite game: Easy! Play-off semi-final second leg against Ipswich in 2004. An atmosphere unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed and a fantastic turnaround. Unforgettable night. Whenever I close my eyes and think of Upton Park, that’s what pops into my head.

Worst game: I travelled from Ireland for the home leg of the League Cup semi-final V Man City in 2014. We were 6-0 down and went on to lose 3-0. The atmosphere was good. The performance was bad.

Favourite goal: Trevor Sinclair V Derby, Boxing Day 2001. A Di Canio corner to Joe Cole at the edge of the box, who whipped it in to Sinclair for it to be volleyed stunningly into the Derby net. I don’t have a great memory, but I remember that like it was yesterday.

Favourite player of all time: Don’t ask me why, but I had such a fondness for Trevor Sinclair. I guess at the time I started properly supporting West Ham he was the “flair” player and he just caught my attention week in, week out.

Favourite player from the current squad: Mark Noble. Perhaps not for raw talent and ability but I couldn’t answer with any other name. He encapsulates the best things about the club. He’s passionate, dedicated and down-to-earth.

Best player you’ve seen play against us: As much as it pains me to say it, it’s probably Ronaldo. I don’t love him but I can’t deny that he was unplayable at times. Watching him in the stands, you wish your players could have half of his quality.

Best team you’ve ever seen play against us: I would say it was the Champions League-winning Man United side of 07/08. As individuals, the players were some of the best in the Premier League. As a team they just worked and made life so hard for their opposition.

Favourite away day: There have been a few great ones, but one that stands out is Peterborough in 2012. The away fans were in the standing terrace and it was a great experience, despite being under 5ft. I lost my inhibitions and just chanted away!