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One youngters quest to collect trophy memorabilia ...
Supporting the Hammers can at times be an arduous one...
But for Luke, Matchday's at Upton Park can't come soon enough for the youngster from Harwich. Parents Mark & Sharon along with Luke are all season ticket holders in the Bobby Moore Stand.
A perfect winning start in seeing the Hammers for the very first time in a 2-0 victory against Sunderland 22nd March 2003.
The Upton Park ritual for the east coast family these days is to arrive at the Boleyn as early as possible and to take up the best advantage point so Luke can collect the Autographs of his present day heroes.
With this seasons current playing squad's signatures all neatly filed away, Luke is now armed with the current edition of the "West Ham United's Who's Who" book, which is showing a healthy return with autographs of past heroes that frequent Upton Park on matchdays.
Matchday mascots for both the Hammers and England have reaped rewards, in terms of autograph collecting and obtaining that all important piece of memorabilia, "The Shirt off the players back"
As an aspiring young goalkeeper, Luke is currently playing in the Under-13 side with local League One club Ipswich Town at their Player Development Centre and has been since September 2007 after having trials. It seems like the next big step for young Luke is to push for a place in their Academy team.
"I'm hoping that sometime in the not too distant future ...
...it will be ME doing the asking for one of HIS shirts, gloves and boots".
Training Open Day : Chadwell Heath 15th April 2003
Luke's first contact with any West Ham United player just happens to be Jamain Defoe (above) and Joe Cole (right)
These signed "Les Ferdinand" Boots was the start of his player memorabilia collection...
Boys of 86 day at Upton Park 16th May 2003
Nick Berry (Heartbeat), Perry Fenwick (Billy Mitchell from Eastenders), Jimmy Quinn, Frank McAvennie, Bradley Walsh
Paul Allen, Bobby Barnes, Luke, Tony Gale
Luke with Tony Cottee
Matchday Mascot : Preston North End - 9th August 2003
Luke out-numbered at Deepdale, but the Hammers triumphed 2-1
Matchday Mascot : Boys of 86 v. Heybridge Swifts 7th September 2003
Luke wasn't superstitious when he asked for Allen McKnights No.13 shirt
Matchday Mascot : England v. Northern Ireland - 26th March 2005
World Cup Qualifying game at Old Trafford : Luke is standing front of Gary Neville
CANVEY ISLAND (Blasts from the Past) v. WEST HAM UNITED (Class of '86) 11th September 2005
Luke was one of several Matchday Mascots, walking onto the Canvey pitch with Steve Potts.
Luke with "Potsy" after the game.
Matchday Mascot : Liverpool - 26th August 2006
Luke's words of encouragement for the nervous Hammers captain Nigel Reo-Coker
THE GREAT ESCAPE 2006-07
WEST HAM UNITED SWEATBANDS
Mark Noble agrees to Luke's request to part with his shirt
Bobby Zamora (White, Under Armour) - Marlon Harewood (Claret No.10, Under Armour)
JAMES COLLINS
Matchworn shirt against Everton at Upton Park 21st April 2007
2007-08 Campaign
HENRI CAMARA's
Senegal international sweatband showing the national flag.
Given to Luke after the Tottenham Hotspur match at Upton Park 25th November 2007
CARLTON COLE kept his promise to give him one of his shirts at the end of the season against Aston Villa 11th May 2008
2008-09 Campaign
MAREK STECH (Youth)
Goalkeeping gloves given to Luke at the
Macclesfield Town Carling Cup game 27th August 2008
JORDAN SPENCE (Youth/Reserve)
Match shirt from the Manchester City game 24th August 2008, Jordan was an un-used substitute that day.
SCOTT PARKER and JACK COLLISON
Matchworn shirts against Portsmouth at Upton Park 15th November 2008
R&T SOCCER TOURS - MITRE CUP 2009 (Runners-up)
Over the weekend of 11th - 12th April 2009
COLCHESTER VILLA U-13's Luke's team competed in the
R&T Soccer Tours - Mitre Cup Competition 2009.
The competition was divided into 6 age groups ranging from U-9 to U-14 with seven teams in each age group.
With teams from Clacton, Dagenham and Liverpool in Luke's group, the young goalkeeper from Harwich conceded only 2 goals in the 6 group matches, each match of 25 minutes duration.
COLCHESTER VILLA topped their group and played PERCIVAL a team from Enfield in the Final of the Mire Cup.
A disputed off-side goal settled the game 1-0 in PERCIVAL's favour. Luke is pictured receiving his Runners-up Trophy from former Hammer Tony Cottee.
Luke also played for Ipswich Town's Player Development side against Cambridge during the Easter holiday this time on the winning side 4-0.
