Iron Maiden & West Ham United announce collaboration

EAST END LEGENDS IRON MAIDEN & WEST HAM UNITED
UNVEIL FOOTBALL KIT COLLABORATION

Die With Your Boots On is the name of a unique collaboration between Iron Maiden and West Ham United. Named after the 1983 song of the same name and driven by die-hard West Ham fan and founder member of the band Steve Harris, this partnership brings together two institutions with shared origins in London’s East End.

Harris has been flying the flag for West Ham on stage for decades, with his bass guitar even featuring the club’s iconic logo. His love for the Hammers goes back to 1965, as he recollects, “I went to see West Ham play against Newcastle when I was 9 and my mate was 10. We jumped on a bus and went to the game, and they won 4-3 and that was it. I was hooked!”

Many Maiden fans around the world have embraced Harris’ passion for West Ham and taken up support for the club themselves, often appearing at concerts in Hammers apparel. Steve added, “When I’m up there playing and I see fans in the audience wearing West Ham stuff it gives me goosebumps.”

Tracey Stratton, Licensing Manager at West Ham, was aware of the phenomenon. “One weekend last summer our club shop was inundated with rock fans from all across the globe, and we realised that Iron Maiden were playing two sold out shows at the O2. It makes perfect sense to launch this collaboration, and with Steve’s passion for it and attention to detail it has been amazing.”

Harris is very proud of the tie up with West Ham and was deeply involved in the design process, commenting, “I think it’s brilliant. I really love that version and colour of the crest, and that old classic kind of kit. It’s a modern shape but with a retro design, and I like that. Up the Irons!”

A full home kit will be available to fans around the world, who can now show their love for both institutions with one unique homage to the Irons. Steve launched the kit with West Ham and Argentina defender Pablo Zabaleta, who added, “Iron Maiden are a huge icon back home in South America and it’s great for fans of West Ham and the band to be able to show their support for both!”

The kit is available to order now from maiden.store/whu and www.officialwesthamstore.com. A limited number of shirts will also be made available in the West Ham store at the London Stadium upon release.

Photos by John McMurtrie

About Louise Swift

I first went to a gig in 1981, Gillan at Leeds University. I've been a regular gig goer ever since. I haven't kept count of how many gigs I've been to over the intervening years, but it's a lot! My favourite bands are AC/DC then, in no particular order, Anti-Nowhere League, Slaughter and the Dogs, Towers of London and Dirt Box Disco. I tend to like Glam/Punk and rude offensive lyrics, not sure what that says about me but as Animal would say 'So What!' The question was recently put to me - did I write for any online publications? My reply - No, but I'd like to! Planetmosh was suggested and I found myself offering to review Aces High Festival. Easy peasy I thought! Well not quite, if a jobs worth doing it's worth doing well! I had sixteen bands to research. I found I actually enjoyed that and it kept me too busy to be making lunatic comments on Facebook! ;) Then I felt a bit inadequately qualified. I mean, who am I to comment on others, when my musical expertise extends to being able to play a mean Greensleeves on the recorder and a passable Annie's song on the flute! Haven't picked up either instrument for years! What I do have, however, is over 30 years of experience as a gig goer, so I can comment on what I like and what I don't! It's only my opinion and, if I don't like a band it doesn't mean they are bad, just not to my own liking. I admire anyone who has the guts to get up on that stage and have a go!