The West Ham supporter who was seen keeping off a mob of AZ Alkmaar supporters on Thursday evening has been recognized as ‘Knollsy’. A buddy of the fan has revealed that the Hammers supporter jumped into motion as he was involved in regards to the well-being of the gamers’ households.

Following West Ham’s 1-0 away win on the AFAS Stadium (3-1 on combination) within the European Conference League, tempers flared wildly throughout the crowd. Alkmaar supporters broke free from their stand and stampeded in direction of a small group of pitch-side Hammers supporters – which was later revealed to be the place the gamers’ households had been sat.

However, the hooligans had been unable to interrupt into the realm as West Ham supporters fended off the group – with some gamers additionally getting concerned. Footage additionally emerged of 1 Hammers’ fan single-handedly ‘holding down the fort’ on the prime of the staircase, throwing punches and kicks to fend off the hooligans and stop them from breaking in.

That particular person has now been recognized as ‘Knollsy’ and his buddy has shared some details about him on Twitter and revealed that he would do ‘anything’ for fellow followers.

Alongside three photographs - certainly one of Knollsy combating, one other of his broken apparel and certainly one of him smiling while making the trademark ‘Hammers’ image, @freddiebonfa tweeted: “Knollsy the legend. Stopped the home fans from getting to the players’ families. Give him a ticket for the final.

“A bit of context: we were sitting behind Thilo Kerher’s girlfriend. Knollsy was worried about her and walked to the top of the stairwell, fending off the storming Alkmaar fans.

“He’s a lovely bloke and did what he felt was right at the time. He stopped those fans. He was genuinely concerned about the players’ partners and ex-West Ham players sitting all around us. He did what he had to do. I am proud to call him a mate. And glad he stopped what could have been a much worse incident. Knollsy has recently had a hip replacement and simply could not run. He’s also a proud man.”

It has additionally been revealed that Knollsy has beforehand obtained a message from West Ham membership captain Declan Rice when he was in ‘bad shape’ again in 2021. The England worldwide despatched the Hammers fan a nine-second clip wishing him nicely and explaining that they had been combating ‘with’ the supporter.

Freddie continued: “When Knollsy was in a bad shape, Declan Rice left him this message. He always says it’s what made him recover. The man is West Ham through and through and would have done anything to protect our fans.” Knollsy is prone to obtain extra messages from the gamers after his actions on Thursday evening.