Poll

Call to leave iconic West Ham statue near Upton Park ground

Junction of Green Street and Barking Road, Upton Park - Champions statue at the junction. Archant

A campaign has been launched to keep the Champions sculpture in Upton Park.

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The landmark, which depicts Bobby Moore holding aloft the World Cup trophy in 1966, may be moved to the site of West Ham’s new stadium in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

A petition, which was set up by Cecilia Welsh, has been steadily building support and has received almost 1,000 signatures both on paper and online.

She said: “It seems right to keep it where it is.

“They’re taking everything to Stratford, all the memories of West Ham. Can’t they leave us something to remember?”

She added there were plans to hand the petition to the Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, this week.

Many people have already commented on the importance of keeping the monument in its original place at the junction of Barking Road and Green Street.

Vivian Archer, who runs Newham Bookshop, opposite the statue, said it should remain as a physical reminder of where the club used to play.

“I think it should stay here,” she said. “People are saying it’s the last link to the ground, and it celebrates the area and the club.”

Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham, added his signature to the petition because West Ham United had pledged to leave a lasting legacy in the area.

“Upton Park has been the generous host of West Ham for 112 years, it’s an important part of the area,” he said.

A spokeswoman for the club said: “The Champions sculpture holds a special place in the heart of West Ham fans and it has always been our aspiration to see it proudly displayed at our new home in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“Its relocation has received widespread backing among the supporter base.”

Martin Peters, one of the players depicted, added: “I hope that each new generation of Hammers fans that sees the statue for the first time will remember what we achieved.”

Newham Council has said the statue will only be moved to the new ground if the club, TFL and the developers of the Boleyn Ground can meet stringent conditions, including installing a new public artwork.

A spokesman said: “Councillors agreed it could only be moved once a fully funded plan was in place to improve the junction where the sculpture currently stands after it has been relocated.”

Discussions between the club and the council are ongoing and any final decision will have to be made at a future cabinet meeting.