The West Ham Syndrome
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.
The West Ham Syndrome
Episode 5: 'The Black Hammers' interview with Dr Brian Belton
In this episode of The West Ham Syndrome, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Belton, author of The Black Hammers: The Voices of West Ham United’s Ebony Heroes (2006). Nearly twenty years on from its release, Brian reflects on what inspired him to write the book, the process of researching and interviewing players, and what the stories of figures like Clyde Best and John Charles reveal about football, race, and community in East London.
We also talk about Fred Corbett, often cited as West Ham’s first Black player, and why Brian believes that story has been misunderstood, exploring Corbett’s true heritage and what it tells us about how football history is remembered and recorded.