From humble beginnings at Hermit Road to their current residence at the London Stadium, West Ham United Football Club has had a rich history of playing in various stadiums. However, there is one particular venue with the Hammers’ name attached to it that ironically never hosted a West Ham match. This venue is the West Ham Stadium, which operated from 1928 to 1972 in Custom House, east London.
During this time, West Ham played their home matches a few miles away at the Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park, where they stayed from 1904 until 2016. The West Ham Stadium, designed by the renowned architect Archibald Leitch, had a seating capacity of 120,000, with the bottom stand alone capable of accommodating 80,000 spectators. Despite its impressive size, the West Ham Stadium holds the record for the lowest-ever attendance in English Football League history. In December 1930, only 469 fans turned out to watch a match between Thames Association FC and Luton.
The West Ham Stadium faced challenges in attracting crowds due to its location in a catchment area with West Ham, Charlton, Millwall, and Leyton Orient football clubs. Consequently, Thames Association FC struggled to maintain its place in the Football League and only remained for two seasons between 1930 and 1932. However, football was not the only sport hosted at the West Ham Stadium. The venue also hosted greyhound racing, speedway, stock car racing, and baseball events.
The West Ham Stadium had the largest track circumference in the UK, measuring 562 yards, making it ideal for greyhound racing. The stadium even hosted the prestigious Cesarewitch race until its closure in 1972. Speedway and stock car racing were also popular draws, attracting massive crowds. In 1933, a meeting between England and Australia in speedway racing brought in an impressive 82,400 spectators.
Sadly, in late 1971, the Newham Council announced that the West Ham Stadium would be sold for re-development. The stadium was eventually demolished in 1972 after being sold for £475,000. Today, the site is occupied by 200 houses, and many of the road names in the area pay homage to former speedway stars, such as Atkinson Road, Croombs Road, Young Road, Wilkinson Road, Lawson Close, and Hoskins Close.
Meanwhile, West Ham United has been playing at their current home, the London Stadium, for nine seasons. Formerly known as the Olympic Stadium, it has become the club’s new residence. The London Stadium has witnessed its fair share of memorable moments and remains an important symbol of the club’s progress and ambition.
In conclusion, the West Ham Stadium holds a unique place in the club’s history, even though West Ham United surprisingly never played a match there. Its grandeur and capacity made it an impressive venue for various sports events, including football, greyhound racing, speedway, stock car racing, and baseball. While the West Ham Stadium may be a thing of the past, the club continues to thrive at their present home, the London Stadium, as they aim for future success on and off the pitch.