West Ham veteran Aaron Cresswell shares the mockery he is subject to for what he does every week
Aaron Cresswell gets ridiculed by the West Ham kit man for maintaining a strict tradition of cleaning his own boots on Fridays.
The Hammers left-back told The Times the habit comes from his time as a youngster at Tranmere where he had to clean manager Ronnie Moore’s boots, and it has stuck ever since.
Despite being set to become the club’s longest serving player once captain Mark Noble retires, that does not spare him mockery from Irons staff when he carries out his weekly routine.
The interview in The Times says: “He is certainly the first Premier League footballer I’ve interviewed who still cleans his own boots. “I do it on a Friday, or the day before a game. I have to do it.”
“Out of superstition or to stay grounded? “A bit of both. I get stick off the kit man. I turn up and he’s [mocking voice], ‘Oh it’s Friday, you here to do your boots?’
“”But I’ll come in and give them a little wipe — the pitches here are good, it’s not like they’re clogged with mud or whatever.””
Old habits die hard
The older generations will surely applaud this behaviour and remember how the game used to be fondly.
Younger fans and players on the other hand are more likely to find it lame and outdated, considering how the traditions have changed at the top level.
But whatever works for the 32-year-old, who has been a strong servant of the club for approaching a decade now.
The former Ipswich defender is closing in on 300 appearances in a West Ham shirt, and remains an important contributor now into his 30s.
He is also likely a key figure in the squad in terms of setting the standard demanded of the players by manager David Moyes.
Cresswell admits the tough love style of old school bosses such as the Scot is what he responds to, but can be a shock to newcomers.
When Noble retires in the summer the full-back’s role in this regard will only increase, but the current system seems to be working fine for a side that has undergone a major transformation with the former Everton manager in charge.
In other West Ham news, a pair of first team squad members look set to leave the club.
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