Supporters' Clubs

Supporters' Club In Focus: Lithuanian Hammers

27th October 2022

Lithuanian Hammers
Chairperson: Algirdas Bajoras
Founded: 2015
Based: Vilnius, Lithuania
Facebook: Lithuanian-Hammers-898015733626732

How did your Supporters' Club begin?

My name is Algirdas Bajoras, I am 37 and I am head of the Procurement department in AB Keliu prieziura, which is one of the largest road maintenance companies in the Baltic States.

Becoming a West Ham fan: me and my friends were always interested in PL games. One time we’ve decided to go to London, to watch West Ham play. We had heard a lot of good about that team, that they’ve got rich history, top players and the best fans in Britain. We wanted to feel on our own that atmosphere! The first game we visited was West Ham versus Manchester United, in 2015. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing, we enjoyed at our beloved Boleyn! From that time I decided to establish a fan club in Lithuania.

The idea about the Supporters’ Club was born in that game between the Hammers and Man Utd, seven years ago. Me and my friend Aurimas started a Facebook profile for Lithuanian Hammers, then we registered it on the official site.

Now we have followers in all Baltic states. Some of our lads are Brits, and have married Lithuanian women, so basically they are Lithuanians! Also we have a member from Australia who lives in Lithuania!

Have you always been a West Ham supporter?

From the time I started to watch Premier League games, West Ham has been the number one for me.

How do you follow the Hammers on a matchday?

When it is possible, we try to fly over and watch the game live, usually try to visit London a few times a season, to feel real football. Basically, we watch matches on TV, sometimes in a pub.

What is your matchday routine?

From the beginning of the day, we try to organise all the duties to have as much free time as possible before the game. Usually we meet in a pub or watch a match in any of our lads‘ homes.