West Ham United fans have chosen Sealey Tower as the name of one of the new centrepiece developments at the Upton Gardens site, paying tribute to the man who scored two of the most important and memorable goals in the club’s history.
As part of West Ham United’s commitment to honour the legacy of the Boleyn Ground, supporters were invited to name a new residential block at Barratt London’s Upton Gardens development, in honour a figure from the Club’s history.
A shortlist of five options were put forward and over 1,000 Hammers fans took part. Alan Sealey received 58% of the vote, ahead of legendary chief scout Wally St Pier, who took 18%. In honour of Wally St Pier, another block on the development will also be named St Pier Court.
Alan Sealey was the man whose brace at Wembley secured the European Cup Winners’ Cup with a 2-0 win over West German side TSV 1860 Munich in May 1965.
Sealey’s sharp reactions and even sharper finishing were enough to win the Hammers their first and, so far, only European title. Born in Hampton in February 1942, Sealey started his senior career with Leyton Orient before making the short switch to the Boleyn Ground in 1961.
Having broken into the side in April 1961, the outside right scored eight goals in his first 19 games in the First Division, helping the Hammers challenge at the top of the table in the first half of the 1961/62 season.
The goals continued to flow steadily over the next two seasons, before Sealey was given the chance to shine in the 1964/65 European Cup Winners’ Cup run. The Londoner started seven of West Ham’s nine ties, scoring in the second-round win over Spartak Prague at the Boleyn Ground in November 1965 and, of course, twice in three second-half minutes in that famous Wembley win.
Alan Sealey’s son Anthony said: "As a family we are so proud and thrilled that Dad has been bestowed with this honour and would like to say a massive thank you to all who voted.
"Upton Park was not only the home of his football club it was also the home of our family. Dad’s parents lived in Walton Road, directly opposite the Boleyn Ground. So to have a building named in his honour on the new development is about as fitting a tribute you can get.
"It is also something his grandchildren can see be very proud of, and ensures that his achievement of scoring both goals in West Ham United’s only European triumph to date will be honoured as part of the club’s legacy at Upton Park."
Commenting on the vote, Joint-Chairman David Gold said: “Alan was a legendary player for West Ham United thanks to his exploits in our greatest-ever victory and Sealey House will stand as a testament to him as a man, and a player. He made history at this football club and it is pleasing to see that this will be recognised at what remains an important site for all West Ham fans.