There was a familiar face in the crowd at Rush Green when the West Ham United Ladies played Coventry United on Sunday, as Pedro Obaing stopped in to watch the girls in action.
The midfielder played the second half of the Premier League clash with Burnley on Saturday before visiting the Club’s training facility on Sunday to watch Greg De Carnys’s team.
The Ladies unfortunately fell to a 2-1 defeat but Obiang was impressed with the ability the side displayed during the contest.
“It’s lovely to be here to watch the Ladies,” Obiang told whufc.com: “I thought they played really well and try to play really nice football. They showed a lot of quality and I was very impressed.”
We as first team players have to support the club and the other teams, including the Ladies. They are a part of the same team really.
Pedro Obiang
The Spaniard made the day for a number of surprised fans by signing autographs and taking pictures during his unexpected trip to Rush Green, while the 25-year-old also enjoyed the football that the Ladies offered.
Obiang believes it’s vitally important that the men’s first team show their support to the Ladies and the project that the Club are building around the side.
The No14 expressed his belief that West Ham is a family and everyone is working towards the same cause.
Obiang added: “Of course, we as first team players have to support the club and the other teams, including the Ladies. They are a part of the same team really. If we have the opportunity to come down we should. It’s good for us and it’s good for them.
“West Ham is a family club. We have to be all together. That’s the big thing. It’s important.”
Jack Sullivan, managing director of the West Ham United Ladies, believes Obiang’s attendance at Sunday’s fixture is a sign of just how committed the Club is to developing women’s football.
He said: “It was fantastic to have someone with first team player status come down and support the Ladies. It shows you how far we’ve come in a short space of time and that the first team are getting behind the Ladies as well.
“He was in Burnley on Saturday and he’s here today. Him showing that support is one of the biggest things for us.”
West Ham Joint-Chairman David Sullivan was also at Rush Green for the Ladies match with Coventry and was thrilled to see Obiang take the time to go to the game.
“It’s just wonderful that, of his own volition, the player wants to give back to the Club,” Sullivan said.
“I spoke to Pedro at half-time and asked him why he came down. He said: ‘I want to support the Ladies team. I think that’s absolutely wonderful.”