- Dot Dexter was a lifelong fan and Season Ticket Holder who has passed away, aged 93
- Was landlady to young players including Clyde Best, Alan Taylor and Alvin Martin
- As a Supporters' Club committee member, she counted Hammer of the Year votes
A lifelong fan and long-time Season Ticket Holder right up until the Farewell Boleyn season, Dot played an influential role in Hammers history, taking in promising young players as lodgers at their east London home.
Together with her husband, Dot helped mould some of the most important players to have pulled on a Claret and Blue shirt over the last 50 years.
Son Phil said West Ham played an integral part in his mother’s life, as she also sold pools coupons at the Boleyn Ground and helped to organise the annual Hammer of the Year vote at the Supporters’ Club.
“West Ham was a big part of her life, not just as a supporter for 60-plus years,” said Phil. “During her time she was a West Ham Pools Agent, and my father was a steward at the Boleyn Ground.
“Then, in 1968/69, she and my father helped the Club by taking in players as lodgers, in particular youngsters coming on trial or joining as youth players. The first player they took in was Clyde Best from Bermuda, while other lodgers included Alvin Martin and Alan Taylor.
“One young lodger, Malcolm Hill, kept in regular touch with Mum, sending her birthday and Christmas cards every year and also postcards from wherever he and his family were on holiday.
“Both Mum and Dad were members of the Supporters’ Club in Castle Street and became committee members, Mum in particular helping to organise the Hammer of the Year voting, counting and presentation nights for several years.”
The first player they took in was Clyde Best from Bermuda, while other lodgers included Alvin Martin and Alan Taylor
Dot also took time out from here role as a landlady and committee member to travel over land and sea to follow her beloved Hammers.
She remained a committed fan into her 80s, attending games regularly, latterly using taxis organised by Club staff to ferry her to and from her home.
“Mum followed West Ham all over Europe, including games in Germany, Spain, Holland and even Russia,” Phil continued.
“Prior to her 86th birthday I had contacted the club requesting a half-time birthday announcement in the programme for the home match against Chelsea. However, the Club very generously and kindly offered Mum (and myself) the opportunity to watch the match in one of the executive boxes, sent someone from the media department to interview her in the Supporters’ Club before the match and also interviewed her on the pitch at half-time.
“I know she felt very special at being treated so superbly well and even more so when she saw the programme for the next home match against Liverpool, which contained a double-page spread of her story.”
Even in her final days, West Ham was never far from Dot’s heart – or ears!
“Mum had been a Season Ticket Holder for many years, including this last season, during which she attained the age of 93,” her son explained.
“Sadly she was unable to attend the last home match at Upton Park as she was in Newham General Hospital but I’m sure she could hear the roars of the crowd and the wonderful atmosphere that was created throughout the match from her hospital bed!”
Dot Dexter passed away on 22 May 2016, aged 93.
She remained a committed fan into her 80s, attending games regularly, latterly using taxis organised by Club staff to ferry her to and from her home.
“Mum followed West Ham all over Europe, including games in Germany, Spain, Holland and even Russia,” Phil continued.
“Prior to her 86th birthday I had contacted the club requesting a half-time birthday announcement in the programme for the home match against Chelsea. However, the Club very generously and kindly offered Mum (and myself) the opportunity to watch the match in one of the executive boxes, sent someone from the media department to interview her in the Supporters’ Club before the match and also interviewed her on the pitch at half-time.
“I know she felt very special at being treated so superbly well and even more so when she saw the programme for the next home match against Liverpool, which contained a double-page spread of her story.”
Even in her final days, West Ham was never far from Dot’s heart – or ears!
“Mum had been a Season Ticket Holder for many years, including this last season, during which she attained the age of 93,” her son explained.
“Sadly she was unable to attend the last home match at Upton Park as she was in Newham General Hospital but I’m sure she could hear the roars of the crowd and the wonderful atmosphere that was created throughout the match from her hospital bed!”
Dot Dexter passed away on 22 May 2016, aged 93.