Julian Dicks is applauded by the two teams before his Benefit match between West Ham United and Athletic Bilbao at Upton Park in London. Mandatory Credit: Jamie McDonald /Allsport

West Ham United legend Julian Dicks loves the club so much he drives back to the site of Upton Park to reflect every six months

August 22, 2023 Sports 10 Views

West Ham United may have a new stadium they call home now, but that doesn’t stop Julian Dicks from reflecting on his playing days from over 25 years ago at their old ground.

Upton Park, the home of West Ham between 1904 to 2016, has since been demolished in the seven years since the Hammers last played there, making way for a new development.

That doesn’t stop Julian Dicks driving to where the old ground stood, though, to reminisce on his playing days in east London.

A general view of Upton Park or the Boleyn Ground, home of West Ham United, pictured in July, 1997 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Allsport/Getty Images) — West Ham United played at Upton Park between 1904 and 2016 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“I gave 100 per cent in every game, wore my heart on my sleeve and never backed out of a tackle,” Dicks tells FourFourTwo. “West Ham fans appreciate that.

“They could tell I loved the club. I honestly think about Upton Park every day. Every six months, I drive down to where the ground was, just to be there for a few minutes, then I drive home. I still love West Ham so much.”

In total, Dicks spent 11 years at West Ham across two spells, scoring 64 goals in 315 competitive appearances.

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In the middle of that, the Englishman spent a solitary season in 1993/94 at Liverpool, enticed by then-manager Graeme Souness and the fact he was a straight-talker. However, the Scotsman was soon sacked, with Roy Evans later taking over.

Unfancied by the new manager, Dicks reveals that he wishes he never moved to Merseyside, though he fortunately got his return to West Ham, where he continued playing until his retirement from professional football in 1999.

Clearly, his affection for the club remains, because nearly a quarter-of-a-century after leaving them as a player, he continues to return to the site of many happy memories.

$Julian Dicks of West Ham in action during the FA Carling Premiership match against Northhampton at Upton Park in London, England. West Ham won the match 1-0. \ Mandatory Credit: Mark Thompson /Allsport$

Dicks loved his time at Upton Park (Image credit: Getty Images)