The curtain fell on the famous Boleyn Ground last night as West Ham United played out a thrilling encounter with Manchester United, winning 3-2 in what was an emotionally-charged evening.

It was a night that I personally will never forget and the atmosphere that we saw created was a credit to the football club I love dearly.

It was fitting that a game such as this was to be the final one played out on the Boleyn Ground pitch as there were so many emotions that the game helped served up.

Of course it would seem that such a great night has been overshadowed slightly by antics that went on outside the ground before kick-off which saw bottles been thrown at the Manchester United team coach, causing damage in the process, actions which I do not condone.

The atmosphere inside the Boleyn was continuing to build and the ground was rocking as kick-off (which was delayed until 8.30pm) approached.

But no matter what else is reported the most important thing for me was to be able to say goodbye to a place which has held so many memories for me. This is my 19th season as a season-ticket holder and whilst I have known for a while that West Ham would be moving I don’t think I ever wanted to believe it.

I perhaps always saw it as something that would happen in the distant future and perhaps I shouldn’t be concerned but the date has come around so quickly and now everything that I have known is changing.

It was warming to see so many ex-players return for the grand finale which the club put on after the game. It was a spectacle after the final whistle and the superb result against Manchester United only served to enhance what was moving night to celebrate all things West Ham.

I cannot quite believe I will not be returning to the Upton Park area ever again. It’s difficult to comprehend that this stadium which has served us for so long is now just consigned to the history books.

But memories live on and there are so many things that I will remember until the day I die.

I’ll always remember the West Ham fans who went to the Boleyn Ground. I may not have known most of them but when they were in this stadium they all became my friends.

I’ll remember realising that whilst we may not win the league or have the best players, the club I supported had a soul and that soul was captured in this football ground that represented EVERYTHING that I loved and continue to love about West Ham United.

I’ll remember Bubbles.

I’ll remember it all.

Goodbye old friend.