Football clubs like West Ham United transcend simply being about what happens on the pitch and enter a state where they have a broader impact on different aspects of our culture. Many old football clubs bring with them over a century of history and cultural impact, and West Ham is no exception. This cultural impact is a combination of historical identity and modern influence, which not all clubs can boast to have both of.
West Ham United offers much more to its passionate fans than merely the action of its star players on the pitch. With a storied and meaningful origin and history, the team has an impactful influence on the broader culture that might surprise people who consider the beautiful game to be merely a sport.
Of course, the actions of the team on the pitch have their influence as well, both highs and lows leading to swelling or ebbing of the team’s influence elsewhere; however, it is mostly with the other ways that West Ham has seen cultural significance that we will grapple with today. From film to gaming, from music to fashion, the maroon and sky blue of West Ham can be found in many places and means a lot to more than just a few people.
The Club’s Influence in Gaming
Just like many other football clubs, the world of gaming has been heavily influenced by the exploits of West Ham’s stars. Players can take command of iconic players and lineups in the various FIFA titles or build their own perfect version of the club’s roster in games like Football Manager. These games allow players to feel a connection beyond the passive one of watching the games by being able to interact with the club in this medium.
The club has also seen more than a modicum of influence on the world of online casino gaming. Online slot games often borrow the imagery of specific football clubs and star players, in much the same way as other games do, and for the same reasons. Being able to spin the reels and get reminded of iconic moments from football history or see imagery of your favourite footballers allows players to feel a deeper connection both to the game they are playing and the sport they love.
With football-based slot games featuring stars and symbology of many different clubs, West Ham is in the mix as well. As players engage with platforms as Erik King reported that offer free spins to allow new players to try them out, they might find that there are games that feature their favourite players and iconic moments from The Hammers’ history, among other famous clubs and players.
West Ham Has Deep Roots and a Rich History
Founded just before the turn of the last century, in 1895, West Ham United was originally named Thames Ironworks. The team has always been associated with the working-class spirit of working hard and resilience in the face of adversity. The club has always been symbolic and an influence on, while also being influenced by, the identity of East London.
With working-class heritage and values, and an ethos of community-driven interaction with fans, the passionate fanbase that The Hammers have in East London and across the world share their values while they enjoy watching the squad compete. The mix of cockney humour and pride with which East London supporters of the club celebrate its victorious and bemoan their defeats is a unique part of the club’s cultural impact.
The Club’s Impact in Popular Media
One of the best ways to track the impact of something in our culture is to examine how often and how well it is represented in our most popular forms of media. When we look at West Ham through this lens, we can see that the club has been relatively impactful, with a number of references in film and television.
The most notable example of the club’s representation in film is in the 2005 movie Green Street starring Elijah Wood. The movie depicts one of the nastier sides of football culture, which is that of the hooligan firm culture that surrounds many of the clubs. The movie focuses on a hooligan firm related to West Ham and their misadventures around a few different matches.
Other references to West Ham in popular media are less violent and confrontational than Green Street, but no less of a sign of the club’s impact on culture for that. Soap operas like EastEnders often have characters who support and reference the actions of clubs like West Ham. One way that The Hammers often see an impact in film and television is through the playing of songs associated with the club, most notably the club’s anthem “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles“, which has become synonymous with the club and with themes of loyalty, hard work and nostalgia.
The Hammers’ Influence on Music and Fashion
Much like many other football clubs, the Hammers’ influence on fashion is largely seen in the 1980s casual streetwear fashion. By blending sportswear with style, many football fans have adopted these looks and continue to dress in this fashion to this day. The club also continues to launch casual oversized fits and fashion with incorporated logos, or home kits, for fans to wear.
When it comes to music, the club is not shy about giving opportunities to local East London artists like Guvna B, which is a testament to their commitment to community involvement and engagement. The East London singer Olivia Dean has also spoken at length about the club’s influence on her music and early life.
Merely the Tip of the Cultural Impact Iceberg
While we covered a few reasonably impactful ways that West Ham has had an impact on the broader aspects of our culture, this article is by no means exhaustive. It is difficult to track all the ways that a club like West Ham has impacted various different elements of our culture. We can be sure that in gaming, film and television, and in music and fashion, West Ham has touched more lives than those of fans who watch the club play.
