Rememberance day display - Saturday 31st October - West Brom (H) As we mark the upcoming Remembrance Day, every West Ham United fan should learn the story of the ‘West Ham Pals’, the Hammers-supporting soldiers who went off to fight for their country in the First World War. Their inspiring story can be read further below. In honour of the West Ham Pals, the IWA have funded an 8m vertical banner we intend to display ahead of the West Brom game on October 31st. The display image has been designed by West Ham fan, and artist, Geo Law. Shown in the accompanying images of this post are the costs associated with this sort of display. Should anyone like to make a contribution, you can donate any amount towards it here: shop.ironworksalliance.com/c… While all donations are welcome, if you donate £20 via the special "West Ham Pals donation" page set up within, you will receive a free 1-inch pin badge with the same design as the display, as a permanent reminder that you helped this display happen. We have 50 pin badges available. If we can send out all 50, we will have covered the costs of our display. If we receive over the £947.51 cost for this display between now and the end of game day on 31st October, surplus funds will go to the Poppy Appeal. In December 1914, a few months after the outbreak of hostilities, the Mayor of West Ham successfully applied to the War Office to raise an infantry unit of local men to serve in the British Army, who had by then already suffered heavy losses on the Western Front. Formed as the 13th (Service) Battalion of the Essex Regiment, the West Ham Pals were born. Volunteers, many of them West Ham United‘s first generation of supporters, flooded the recruiting offices around the East End and by late February the required 1,000 men had enlisted. They had no uniforms, no rifles and many had no military experience. However, they all wanted to ‘give a good smacking to the Germans’. The Council soon applied for their cap badge to include two crossed hammers, in reference to their association with the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company, however this was refused. By the end of World War One, out of the original 1,000 men, roughly one quarter were killed, half were severely disabled from wounds and one quarter survived with their scars inside. They never received a Victory Parade and, the West Ham Battalion was disbanded and relegated to history, but like the people of the east London, and West Ham United, we will never forget them. Conversations will continue this week with the club, and the stadium to ensure the display goes ahead. ⚒️

All of the tributes before the game were emotional. We're very proud to have paid our final respects to the big man in the way we did. Some behind the scenes footage below. A massive thank you to all of our volunteers, the club staff who assisted us throughout, and to all of the fans who continue to support us and donate. Without you all, things like this would not be possible for us. If you wish to contribute to our cause with a donation, or perhaps by purchasing some of our great merch, visit shop.ironworksalliance.com/ Or even better, join us! All of our funds go towards our projects, atmosphere initiatives and displays. And theres more big news to come soon. Stay tuned ⚒️

The club and the FAB have worked together to ensure that Ludo gets the send off he deserves tonight. There will be a number of things happening along with a display. We also asked the club if we could prepare our own self organised and self funded tribute in addition. We're delighted to confirm that after some late testing today at the stadium, we have the all clear to go ahead. The flag display is also ramping up, and will be out as usual. Our additional tribute to Ludo is somewhat different. This method hasn't been done before at the stadium. We're excited to unveil it. We thank the club for allowing us to show our appreciation for the big man in our own way. Look out towards the BML when the mosaic goes up and the players come out. Ludo will "play in goal for West Ham" one last time today.. Be in your seats 15 minutes before kick off to see him off. COYI ⚒️

Following the sad news of Ludo, we can confirm that there will be no flag display tonight as a mark of respect. Just the one flag will be flying high in the Bobby Moore Lower.. our one of the man himself. ❤️⚒️