My Club: Kriss Akabusi

IRON CURTAIN ... GK: Phil Parkes RB: Ray Stewart CB: Bobby Moore CB: Alvin Martin LB: Julian Dicks RM: Billy Bonds CM: Trevor Brooking CM: Frank Lampard LM: Clyde Best FD: Paolo Di Canio FD: Tony Cottee

Who was your all-time favourite player?

Billy Bonds. He rolled down his socks, literally, and bossed the midfield. He was an aggressive, all-action player who didn’t score many goals, but he had that no-nonsense,

East End style. He put in crunching tackles and was our Norman Hunter, our Billy Bremner. He epitomised the East End of London – ‘Roll your sleeves up, son, let’s get on with it’.

Do you get down to Upton Park much these days?

I’m a season-ticket holder – I do pay for my ticket now!

Are you excited about the move to the Olympic Stadium?

It’s definite progress. When West Ham first started, they played in the park and it was all pies and mash, then walk back home in 1895. Then they moved to what people call Upton Park – the Boleyn Ground – and there the progress has continued.

But I was at the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony at London 2012 and I saw how intimate that stadium can be. With retractable seating, reduced numbers and a raising of the pitch, that is going to be a magnificent stadium. In 10-15 years, no one will be talking about Upton Park. It will be a privilege to call it home.

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