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West Ham United FC
Boleyn Ground
The Ground
On one
side of the ground is the impressive looking Dr Martens Stand
that was opened in 2001.
This
large two tiered stand (which is reputedly the largest
league ground stand in London), has a capacity of 15,000. Its most
striking feature can only be seen externally, where an elaborate facade
comprising of two castle turrets has been built around the
reception area entrance. The turrets have been modelled on those appearing on the club crest.
It is nice to see a Club actually trying to
instil some character into a new stand. Opposite is the smaller two tiered
East Stand, which was opened in 1969. Both ends are
large, smart, two tiered
stands. In the North
East and South West corners there are video screens installed as well as an
electronic score board in the South West corner. There is also a Digital
Clock above The Bobby Moore Stand.
Just
outside the ground near the Boleyn Pub, is
the handsome statue of England
Captain Bobby Moore, holding aloft the World Cup Trophy which England won in
1966. The statue shows Moore being hoisted aloft by
fellow West Ham
players Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters with Everton defender Ray Wilson.
Future
Ground Developments
The
building of
a new East Stand plus extensions to the existing Bobby Moore
& Centenary Stands, have been postponed by the Club. The developments would have taken the capacity of Upton Park to 40,500,
but have now been
put on 'ice' pending financial backing for them.
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