Bobby Zamora will always be fondly remembered by West Ham United fans especially after proving beyond any doubt he has always been a Hammer.
Bobby Zamora in his West Ham days
Zamora nearly gave up on football altogether when he was released by his boyhood club as a youngster.
But he rebuilt his confidence and forged a fantastic career for himself even going on to represent England.
Despite playing for Tottenham Hotspur, Zamora was welcomed back to the club with open arms when he was signed by Alan Pardew back in 2004.
Iconic Hammers picture: Zamora celebrates his play-off winner with then emerging talent Mark Noble
He will forever be remembered for scoring the goal that got the Hammers promoted at the second attempt when they beat Preston in the 2006 Play-Off final.
He was not happy at being sold to Fulham in 2008, stating at the time: “West Ham is my club and the team I always wanted to play for but football is a business now.
“It was hard for me to leave as I am a West Ham fan and love the club dearly because I had some brilliant years there.”
Kiss me like you mean it
But if anyone doubted that claret and blue blood runs through Zamora’s veins then proof came on Twitter after the man who hit 40 goals in 152 games for the Hammers posted an emotional appeal for people to get behind a campaign for a statue of club legend Bobby Moore.
“Aged 11 and met Bobby Moore,” Zamora tweeted alongside a picture of him in his old West Ham tracksuit meeting the club’s greatest son.
“Please support Barking and Dagenham Council and help get his statue made #legend.”
‘Zamo’ as he was affectionately know, with the play-off trophy
Zamora was always passionate about representing his boyhood club even if he did at times put himself under too much pressure as a fan on the pitch.
He was sold to Fulham in 2008 with the club struggling financially after the Icelandic banking collapse.
He would score another 39 goals for Fulham, QPR and Brighton.
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