Max Portman

Congrats Steve! Amazing news 👏🥳

After avoiding a banana skin yesterday against Burton , why not indulge in a bit of 90s nostalgia and listen to Max & Andrew wax lyrically about their childhoods & talk about the Renford Rejects when the Hammers are the focus of a particular season 3 episode…

open.spotify.com/episode/57rj...

The recent joint SPORTING HERITAGE and BSSH event at University of Huddersfield's Heritage Quay in which BSSH Chair Katie Taylor was a panel member discussing research and practice challenges, against the backdrop of the Women's Rugby League Exhibition.

For those unable to join us last night at our @ihr.bsky.social seminar last night, you can now listen to the event with @fionaskillen.bsky.social, @juliemcneillwrites.bsky.social & Karen Fraser discussing their 2024 book, A most beautiful game

Available now ⬇️

open.spotify.com/episode/6jVS1v…

A most unsuitable game: Reflections on a community celebration of the women’s game in Scotland

Our next seminar is taking place on January 26th with an exciting panel discussion on the history of Scottish women’s football ft. @fionaskillen.bsky.social, @juliemcneillwrites.bsky.social & Karen Fraser on their book ‘A most unsuitable game’

Sign up today ⬇️
www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

If you’re looking for a @WestHam fix to get ready for our game against Fulham later, why not tune in to our latest episode as Max & Andrew talk to West Ham Historian & archivist Robert Banks about his books, YouTube channel & everything in-between.

open.spotify.com/episode/6BpY...

And obviously, do give the podcast a follow!

I know football Bluesky is still in the process of getting going, but any follows or interactions are greatly appreciated!!

If you’re a fellow hammer in the doldrums over West Ham’s performance against City yesterday (expected, but still absolutely shocking from us), perhaps a couple of hours listening to Martin Godleman, the voice of #WestHam will lift your spirits.

We talk books, narratives & everything in between!

It was “interesting” to say the least. Hopefully a strong window in January can remedy this. Obviously some attacking options are on the table if Fullkrug is leaving and they’ll be sorely needed for the second half of the season

I agree! We’ve struggled with this for a while , even going back to Moyes where we’d moan about the same thing. But the Bournemouth game was a killer as we could have won that after our first half performance.

You know what should really grind your gears though… We had all of that with a former manager and then binned it off because he was “too negative”.

Only West Ham could fuck it up as royally as we’ve done these past 18 months

I agree individual mistakes were also an issue today with AWB & Mavropanos letting us down for both of Rogers’ goals in the second half.

I mean it would a small tactical tweak, which is always positive to have in a game to keep things fresh and hopefully a good tweak. But your point is valid too

I think based on our 1st half performance. We deserved a draw! We just slowly lost our way after the second goal it would sadly seem.

But I do think we’re doing a lot better than 3 months ago under Potter, I can say that at least to soothe the pain 😂

I agree! I would’ve subbed Paq for Wilson around the hour mark honestly. Woulda given Wilson a nice 35 minutes to make something happen

I would have subbed Wilson on for Paqueta, taken off Summerville for Kante (which NES likes to do it seems) and maybe brought on KWP for AWB as AWB was just getting mugged off by Rogers & Buendia by the end of the game. Not saying they woulda worked, but it woulda shored up three positions at least

I can’t disagree with any of that! The lack of a CF is a problem for us. I don’t understand why we persevere with a player who is so out of form in Paqueta and don’t play Wilson as our CF. We’ve looked miles better with Wilson up top

That is the big worry to be honest! But I’m being optimistic (naively perhaps) that a good window next month with reinforcements in defence and up front can help us build on what’s already in place. I think the Brighton game last week was an opportunity missed to be honest

However, I do agree there was lot to question as well like Paqueta’s anonymity, the defence going missing a fair amount as the game wore on & our inability to keep things going at a decent level after the hour mark.

What did you feel about today’s game then?

I think the link-up play between the midfield has been a boon to us and Magassa, Potts & Fernandes are really good together as an industrious midfield three. I also think Summerville’s runs were good (albeit with no end product) and Bowen had Maatsen’s number until the latter got subbed.

Oh 100%!

We’ve been playing well since the beginning of November and I think once it clicks into place properly, we’re onto something special.

Today was just poor in-game management to keep things fresh as the game wore on to keep the pressure on imo

Having watched the game on catch-up and now having calmed down a bit! This was ours for the taking.

Nuno has to be held accountable for that. Making subs 80+ minutes into a game is inexcusable when you could see tired legs creeping in from the hour mark.

Episode 8: Inside the Hopes, Highs and Heartbreaks of West Ham's Academy with Paul Brand

Of course, my apologies for forgetting to include one: open.spotify.com/episode/48j9...

For the #WestHam people on my feed and for the West Ham lovers on @bsky.app, the latest episode of the West Ham Syndrome podcast is now available.

We’re talking to Paul Brand about his book on the club’s academy which talks about the 99% who don’t make it and the dark side of the academy.

As we celebrate our 150th episode 🥳 We’re back with another pioneer from the world of sports!

We’re honoured to be joined by Alan Lau, chairman of the Frank Soo Foundation to talk to us about Frank’s life & times & why Asian inclusivity in football matters!

shows.acast.com/sport-in-histo…

This was such a great interview to record with @collinstony.bsky.social who was an amazing guest and just gave me so much more than I was expecting!

Well worth a listen for all lovers of history from multiple perspectives in this episode!!

The venue for the 2026 British Society of Sports History has just been announced. It will be held at the John McIntyre Centre, University of Edinburgh, from 26 to 28 August 2026. See below for more details..

www.sportinhistory.org/articles/edi...

Episode 7: Interview with Irons Supporting Foodbanks

With #WestHam kicking off in 10 minutes and with a good feeling about today’s game vs Burnley, I should promote the latest episode of the West Ham Syndrome Podcast, where we interview John Ratomski, founder of Irons Supporting Foodbanks about all his great work!

open.spotify.com/episode/4QfN...

Really excited to be part of this seminar!

Atlanta does some amazing work in this field & if you like sports, fiction or know someone with an interest in women’s sports, fiction or children’s & women’s history, then you’re gonna love this seminar!!

Sign up via the link in the OP ⬇️

God we needed that win so much!

Also Freddie Potts is the future of our midfield. No denying it 🙌

Thank you! I’m just glad we won for a change 😅

Pod going well thanks. Half a dozen episodes in now.

Hope all is well with you in Sheffield