The West Ham Syndrome

Andrew
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Welcome to The West Ham Syndrome, a podcast about West Ham, but with a bit of a twist. Look, we know there are already loads of brilliant Hammers pods out there, but this one’s going to be a little different. We’re not just here to ride the highs and lows of every matchday. Don’t worry, we’ll still talk about the games, because that’s what we all live for, but our focus is more on everything else that makes West Ham, well… West Ham.We’ll be getting into the bigger stories off the pitch and we’ve got some fun features lined up too. Think rewatching old season review DVDs, flicking through classic programmes and magazines, and unearthing some of the forgotten stories that make following this club such a rollercoaster.So, if you’ve ever wondered why supporting West Ham feels like a condition we can’t quite shake, this one’s for you. This is The West Ham Syndrome, talking West Ham beyond the matchday.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 13: Martin Godleman (Matchday Annoucer and Author) on Giving West Ham Its Voice (Part 2)

    This week on The West Ham Syndrome, we sit down with one of the voices and chroniclers of West Ham United: Martin Godleman, author, journalist, broadcaster, filmmaker and stadium PA announcer at the London Stadium.  In this conversation, we explore Martin’s lifelong connection to West Ham and his evolution as a writer, beginning with Our Days Are Few, his raw and compelling account of the turbulent 2003/04 season, a year haunted by relegation but rich in story. Martin also reflects on We’re West Ham, We Play on the Floor, comparing two very different post-relegation journeys. We then dive into No Goal, his brilliantly crafted alternative history imagining a world where Geoff Hurst’s controversial second goal in the 1966 World Cup final was ruled out. What changes? What remains? And how does West Ham's identity shift as a result?  Martin then walks us through the creation of 125 Beautiful Games and what truly makes a West Ham match “beautiful.” We look ahead too, asking what moments from the past five years would make the next edition.  Of course, we couldn’t chat to the stadium announcer himself without digging into the art of the role.  Finally, Martin shares what he believes writers must capture to express the true essence of West Ham: the narrative of struggle, hope, despair, resilience — and above all, belonging. Plus: our trademark quick-fire round, featuring heartbreaks, heroes, favourite kits, and what Martin would contribute to the virtual West Ham Museum. You can explore more of his work on his website: https://godleman.com/ and read his blog 'Our Days Our Few' here: https://ourdaysarefew.com/. In the episode Martin references the song 'Shine' by Shannon Noll which you can listen to here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6iFkab3O65fAbvpNj7wGXW. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X) Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    1h 3m

  2. DEC 12

    Episode 12: Martin Godleman (Matchday Annoucer and Author) on Giving West Ham Its Voice (Part 1)

    This week on The West Ham Syndrome, we sit down with one of the voices and chroniclers of West Ham United: Martin Godleman, author, journalist, broadcaster, filmmaker and stadium PA announcer at the London Stadium.  In this conversation, we explore Martin’s lifelong connection to West Ham and his evolution as a writer, beginning with Our Days Are Few, his raw and compelling account of the turbulent 2003/04 season, a year haunted by relegation but rich in story. Martin also reflects on We’re West Ham, We Play on the Floor, comparing two very different post-relegation journeys. We then dive into No Goal, his brilliantly crafted alternative history imagining a world where Geoff Hurst’s controversial second goal in the 1966 World Cup final was ruled out. What changes? What remains? And how does West Ham's identity shift as a result?  Martin then walks us through the creation of 125 Beautiful Games and what truly makes a West Ham match “beautiful.” We look ahead too, asking what moments from the past five years would make the next edition.  Of course, we couldn’t chat to the stadium announcer himself without digging into the art of the role.  Finally, Martin shares what he believes writers must capture to express the true essence of West Ham: the narrative of struggle, hope, despair, resilience — and above all, belonging. Plus: our trademark quick-fire round, featuring heartbreaks, heroes, favourite kits, and what Martin would contribute to the virtual West Ham Museum. You can explore more of his work on his website: https://godleman.com/ and read his blog 'Our Days Our Few' here: https://ourdaysarefew.com/. In the episode Martin references the song 'Shine' by Shannon Noll which you can listen to here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6iFkab3O65fAbvpNj7wGXW. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    58 min

  3. DEC 5

    Episode 11: Inside West Ham’s Greatest Match-Worn Collection with Mick Clifford

    In this episode of The West Ham Syndrome, Andrew and Max sit down with Mick Clifford, lifelong Hammer and author of the stunning book Playing for the Shirt: One Hundred West Ham United Match-Worn Shirts. Mick has spent years tracking down the most extraordinary collection of match-worn West Ham shirts ever assembled — from the heavy cotton classics of the 1950s to the lightweight modern kits worn by today’s players. Each shirt carries its own story, and in this conversation Mick opens up about the thrill of the chase, the emotional power of memorabilia, and the unforgettable moments stitched into claret and blue fabric. We discuss: How the collection began — and the rarest shirts Mick has uncoveredWhy shirts matter so deeply to supporter identity and heritageThe making of the book and the challenges of preserving football historyThe shirt Mick still dreams of adding to his collectionIf you love West Ham, football nostalgia, or the magic of match-worn kits, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Come on you Irons. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    1h 14m

  4. NOV 28

    Episode 10: Identity, Heritage & the Case for a West Ham Museum (with Levi Tippett)

    In this episode of the West Ham Syndrome, we dive into the heart of West Ham United’s identity with researcher Levi Tippett, whose MSc dissertation explored how heritage shapes what it means to be a Hammes, especially in the years following the move from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium. Levi guides us through his research into fan identity, the emotional impact of the stadium relocation, and the powerful role a museum could play in preserving West Ham’s story. Drawing on surveys, interviews and heritage theory, he unpacks why so many supporters feel aspects of the club’s history have been lost (or left behind) and what fans believe a museum should include, from Thames Ironworks roots to shared matchday memories. We also discuss the club’s earlier commitment to a “museum-style display,” the wider significance of football heritage and Levi’s own view of what a meaningful West Ham museum could look like today. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    1 hr

  5. NOV 22

    Episode 9: Inside West Ham's Academy with Graduate Callum McNaughton

    In this powerful and deeply honest episode, we sit down with former West Ham United defender Callum McNaughton to explore his journey from Chadwell Heath to the first team and the complex inner world that shaped the path along the way. Callum reflects on the unexpected Facebook message that kick-started his involvement in the 'Inside the Academy' book project, how reconnecting with old teammates helped him rediscover parts of himself and why sharing the realities behind the 0.01% who “make it” felt important. Across the conversation, Callum opens up about life inside the Academy of Football: the pressure, the dream, the emotional toll, and the grounding influence of coaches like Paul Heffer. He speaks candidly about mental health and the coping mechanisms that both helped and hindered him as a young player navigating survival in elite sport. Now coaching in the US, Callum explains how his lived experiences have reshaped his understanding of success, leadership, youth development and what young players really need.  Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    1h 14m

  6. NOV 14

    Episode 8: Inside the Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham's Academy with Paul Brand

    West Ham United’s academy has produced some of the most iconic players in English football history, from Bobby Moore and Trevor Brooking to Rio Ferdinand and Declan Rice. But behind the legends lies a far more complex and human story: the hopes, highs, and heartbreaks of the countless young players striving to make it at The Academy of Football. In this episode of The West Ham Syndrome, Andrew and Max are joined by author Paul Brand to discuss his new book Inside the Academy: The Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham United’s Youth. Paul lifts the lid on what makes West Ham’s academy so special, the coaches and culture that shape it, and why the “West Ham way” still carries so much weight today. From the barriers that stop promising talents from making the first team to the realities faced by those who leave the academy behind, this episode digs into the stories you rarely hear and the values that define West Ham’s identity. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    54 min

  7. NOV 8

    Episode 7: Interview with Irons Supporting Foodbanks

    With Christmas on the horizon, The West Ham Syndrome Podcast takes a look beyond the pitch to explore how the West Ham community looks after its own. Andrew and Max are joined by John Ratomski, founder of Irons Supporting Foodbanks, to talk about how the organisation began, how it grew through the challenges of the pandemic and how it continues to make a difference across East London and Essex. From the early days of collecting donations outside the London Stadium to supporting over 100 foodbanks and community groups, John shares what drives the organisation, how the club has helped along the way and what’s next for their work. How you can donate or get involved with Irons Supporting Foodbanks: Food & essential item drop-off: You can drop off food and other essentials at several locations including:ASDA Beckton, Tollgate Road, Beckton E6 5JP. (ironsfoodbanks.co.uk)TESCO Beckton, 1 Armada Way, Beckton E6 7FB. (ironsfoodbanks.co.uk)Waitrose Westfield Stratford, The Arcade, Westfield Stratford City E20 1EH. (ironsfoodbanks.co.uk)Also at the collection point on match-days: Stratford Walk (opposite the Park Information Centre, on the route from Westfield to the Stadium). (West Ham United Supporters' Trust)Cash/online donations: You can also donate money online via their JustGiving page, which allows ISF to purchase emergency food items and support wider community projects. (ironsfoodbanks.co.uk)Volunteer time: If you have around 30 minutes to spare, you can help at match-day collections (three hours before home games).  (Blowing Bubbles)Other support: ISF also welcomes help with clothing donations, furniture/goods for community hubs, and partnerships with local businesses. (Newham Chamber of Commerce)Plus, stick around for some West Ham quick-fire questions and Max’s weekly trivia challenge. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    40 min

  8. OCT 31

    Episode 6: The Hammer House of Horror XI

    In this Halloween special of The West Ham Syndrome Podcast, we dust off the cobwebs and open the creaking doors of Upton Park’s darker history to unveil our Hammer House of Horror XI, the eleven players (and one manager) whose performances, moments and misfortunes still haunt West Ham fans to this day. From Saša Ilić conceding four on his only appearance to Marco Boogers’ infamous red card and “caravan” legend, via broken legs, missed penalties and multi-million-pound mysteries, this is a trip through the terrifying, the tragic and the downright ridiculous. Expect laughter, disbelief, and a few shivers as Andrew and Max  revisit the cursed cameos, calamitous debuts and ghostly transfers that define what it truly means to suffer from The West Ham Syndrome. Thanks for listening to The West Ham Syndrome. If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow, subscribe, and leave us a review, it really helps the show grow. Stay connected with us: 📧 Email: thewesthamsyndrome@gmail.com 📱 Follow us: @thewesthamsyndrome (Instagram & Twitter/X)

    47 min
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About

Welcome to The West Ham Syndrome, a podcast about West Ham, but with a bit of a twist. Look, we know there are already loads of brilliant Hammers pods out there, but this one’s going to be a little different. We’re not just here to ride the highs and lows of every matchday. Don’t worry, we’ll still talk about the games, because that’s what we all live for, but our focus is more on everything else that makes West Ham, well… West Ham.We’ll be getting into the bigger stories off the pitch and we’ve got some fun features lined up too. Think rewatching old season review DVDs, flicking through classic programmes and magazines, and unearthing some of the forgotten stories that make following this club such a rollercoaster.So, if you’ve ever wondered why supporting West Ham feels like a condition we can’t quite shake, this one’s for you. This is The West Ham Syndrome, talking West Ham beyond the matchday.

Information

  • Creator
    Andrew
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The West Ham Syndrome
  • Show Website
    The West Ham Syndrome

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