Kevin Nolan bids a fond farewell to the Boleyn Ground by talking us through his favourite home goals for West Ham United
Kevin Nolan may have departed West Ham United this week, but the midfielder leaves with many fond memories of playing at the Boleyn Ground.
Nolan netted 20 of his 31 Hammers goals on home turf, including a number of memorable and important strikes.
To pay tribute to the long-time captain, West Ham TV took to the hallowed turf with Nolan one final time to walk and talk through his favourite Green Street Goals!
“I’ve had some fantastic times in the four years I’ve been playing here and even before, I used to enjoy being here in the Premier League and I’ve scored some goals against West Ham as well.
“It’s a pretty special place and reminds me of being back home at Anfield and Goodison Park – it’s got that history and all that old-school way.”
Among them was his first home goal in Claret and Blue, an unstoppable 25-yard volley against Derby County in November 2011 and a last-minute equaliser to salvage a Premier League draw with Sunderland in September 2012.
“In my first season here, I scored against Derby County. The ball popped up about 25 yards out and I’ve managed to drill it along the floor from 25 yards and it’s nestled in the back of the net, which was a pleasing one.
“There was one against Sundeland, where I jumped the cameraman after I scored a last-minute equaliser. Their goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had pulled off a few great saves from me, so to get that in the last minute made it special.
“I remember Mo Diame heading it down and me spinning and catching it sweetly and I ran over to the crowd and did the Chicken and jumped over the cameraman, which was highly emotional for me!”
The 33-year-old also bagged a perfect hat-trick against already-relegated Reading in May 2013 – a treble he scored in front of his children Jasmine and Sonny and one he will cherish for the rest of his life.
“I got a hat-trick on the last game of the season against Reading, who had been a bit smarmy when we came up, and it was a perfect hat-trick too, which was nice!
“To be able to experience that in front of my family, who were down, and walk around the pitch with my kids after will always live with me forever.”
Nolan netted 20 of his 31 Hammers goals on home turf, including a number of memorable and important strikes.
To pay tribute to the long-time captain, West Ham TV took to the hallowed turf with Nolan one final time to walk and talk through his favourite Green Street Goals!
“I’ve had some fantastic times in the four years I’ve been playing here and even before, I used to enjoy being here in the Premier League and I’ve scored some goals against West Ham as well.
“It’s a pretty special place and reminds me of being back home at Anfield and Goodison Park – it’s got that history and all that old-school way.”
Among them was his first home goal in Claret and Blue, an unstoppable 25-yard volley against Derby County in November 2011 and a last-minute equaliser to salvage a Premier League draw with Sunderland in September 2012.
“In my first season here, I scored against Derby County. The ball popped up about 25 yards out and I’ve managed to drill it along the floor from 25 yards and it’s nestled in the back of the net, which was a pleasing one.
“There was one against Sundeland, where I jumped the cameraman after I scored a last-minute equaliser. Their goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had pulled off a few great saves from me, so to get that in the last minute made it special.
“I remember Mo Diame heading it down and me spinning and catching it sweetly and I ran over to the crowd and did the Chicken and jumped over the cameraman, which was highly emotional for me!”
The 33-year-old also bagged a perfect hat-trick against already-relegated Reading in May 2013 – a treble he scored in front of his children Jasmine and Sonny and one he will cherish for the rest of his life.
“I got a hat-trick on the last game of the season against Reading, who had been a bit smarmy when we came up, and it was a perfect hat-trick too, which was nice!
“To be able to experience that in front of my family, who were down, and walk around the pitch with my kids after will always live with me forever.”