'Trust me son - they'll love you' - Dicks on Hammers move

BBC News

19 hours ago

Former West Ham defender Julian Dicks has been reflecting on his move to the Hammers in the latest episode of BBC Radio Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast.He moved from Birmingham City to the Hammers as a 20-year-old in 1998 for £300,000 for his first taste of top-flight football.Before Upton Park was converted into an all-seater stadium during the 90s, the 'Chicken Run' at the front of the East Stand was notorious for the intimidation from the fans gathered there - as Dicks knew from his experience being an opposition player there as a 17-year-old."I remember [West Ham manager at the time] John Lyall and Eddie Baily the chief scout coming to St Andrew's and being in the office," he said. "John was a chain smoker so the office was full of smoke. I was 18 going on 19."They told me West Ham had made an offer, wanted to sign me, and would offer £650 a week. As soon as he said it, I thought 'I'm there' and then they told me they would pay me £50 per appearance. "John asked me what I thought and I said it was OK but inside I was all over the place. John told me I had five minutes to think about it and said: 'That's all you'll need'.Not a Hammers fan? Find and follow your club here"It was before mobile phones, so I went out to phone my missus at the time. The phone was engaged, and I went back in and said I'd love to sign for West Ham. "He asked me: 'But what do you know about West Ham?'"I said: 'I know you, Billy Bonds and I know the chicken run'."He had a smile on his face. I told him it was a horrible place to play for the opposition - it was brutal. When I was 17, I played there and it was really scary. You knew the fans could just reach out and grab you."John said: 'When you sign, trust me son, they'll love you'."That was the case. My relationship even now with the West Ham fans is unbelievable. They were the best fans in the world to me - they were incredible."Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds