Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
Fan Frenzy for Paolo Di Canio Event in Reading
Anticipation was palpable hours before Paolo Di Canio, the West Ham United icon, was scheduled to appear, with the car park at the Loddon Valley leisure centre in Reading already overwhelmed. Fans eager to witness the Premier League legend were arriving early, highlighting the enduring appeal of the celebrated footballer.
One attendee, sporting a West Ham training top, confidently secured a parking space, while others, including one in a retro Hammers shirt, were forced to seek alternative parking arrangements, circling the packed lot before resorting to nearby streets. The sheer volume of attendees underscored the immense popularity of this event featuring the charismatic Di Canio.
The lure of spending an evening with one of the Premier League’s most flamboyant personalities and a beloved West Ham entertainer proved irresistible for many.
Di Canio’s current stage is more modest, with over 400 individuals filling a sports hall adjacent to a children’s play area, settling into seats facing a makeshift platform adorned with a simple black backdrop.
A temporary bar was experiencing brisk business on one side of the hall, while a lengthy queue for the hot buffet extended towards the rear, where a substantial collection of signed and framed memorabilia awaited purchase.
A huge clamour for an evening where one of the Premier League’s most colourful characters and one of West Ham’s most cherished entertainers will hold court
Di Canio’s stage is far humbler now, as more than 400 people pack into a sports hall across the corridor from the children’s soft play area
It’s £150 for pictures of Damon Hill or Sterling Moss, £125 for Torvill & Dean and £175 for Ed Sheeran, Craig David or the actress that played Ada Shelby in Peaky Blinders
Memorabilia on Sale
Framed and signed photographs of Paul Gascoigne and Geoff Hurst were priced at £99 each.
Images of Di Canio himself, along with Europa Conference League winner Said Benrahma and goalkeeping legend Phil Parkes, were available for £160 apiece.
Priced at £150 were images of Damon Hill and Sterling Moss, while Torvill & Dean were listed at £125, and Ed Sheeran, Craig David, and the actress who portrayed Ada Shelby in Peaky Blinders commanded £175.
The event’s commercial aspect was evident, with a focus on maximizing revenue from attendees rather than purely crafting an unforgettable evening for West Ham, Celtic, or Sheffield Wednesday supporters.
However, the assembled crowd, predominantly clad in claret and blue, many adorned with Di Canio’s name – or, as one woman’s shirt proclaimed, ‘Genius 10’ – seemed undeterred.
The palpable excitement was clear, especially from a young fan proudly displaying a signed framed picture of Jarrod Bowen, courtesy of a family member. These fans were present to celebrate Di Canio and relive cherished football moments.
Di Canio Engages with Fans
Di Canio, impeccably dressed in a navy double-breasted jacket, shirt and tie, complemented by slim grey trousers and suede shoes, exuded his characteristic style.
For over an hour prior to his stage appearance, he stood ready, posing for photographs with a continuous stream of fans who had purchased picture opportunities (£30 for a photo on the night, plus an optional £30 for a frame).
When Di Canio strides through the room to take his place in one of the white seats on the stage, the chants of ‘Irons, Irons’ ring around the room alongside booming renditions of his name
Di Canio became a Hammers fan favourite during his stint at the club between 1999 and 2003
The fiery Italian had a memorable spell as manager of Sunderland a decade later
‘What a legend,’ remarked one attendee from Mail Sport‘s table, returning with his photograph. ‘A proper man, a proper guy.’
As Di Canio walked through the room to take his place on stage, chants of ‘Irons, Irons’ reverberated, alongside enthusiastic singing of his name. Even a couple of Sheffield Wednesday supporters joined in the vocal display.
Career Retrospective and West Ham Highlights
The compere guided Di Canio through his illustrious career, posing questions about his time at Lazio, Juventus, Napoli, AC Milan, and Celtic, as well as his recollections of playing alongside Ballon d’Or recipients such as Roberto Baggio, Marco van Basten, and Ruud Gullit.
Inevitably, the infamous incident of 1998, when he pushed referee Paul Alcock while playing for Sheffield Wednesday, was discussed.
‘I still don’t fully understand why I reacted as I did…but at the time, I genuinely felt that if I had pushed my young daughter with the same force, she wouldn’t have fallen with such theatrics!’ Di Canio quipped.
‘He needs to talk about West Ham,’ grumbled one attendee returning from the restrooms. Eventually, Di Canio shifted focus to his beloved West Ham, beginning with the iconic volley against Wimbledon, which had its 25th anniversary the previous week.
Di Canio, animated and full of energy at 56, sprang up to vividly recreate the moment.
He’s asked, of course, about the time he shoved referee Paul Alcock to the ground in 1998 while playing for Wednesday
‘I don’t know why I put my hands on him…but I thought at the time, if I had pushed my eight-year-old daughter, she couldn’t have fallen down like that!’
‘I tried to jump but couldn’t because it was a bit behind me but then, in a split second, I decide: “now I am going to score the best goal of all time!”’
‘Trevor Sinclair… his first touch was terrible!,’ he joked. ‘But his second touch to set up the cross was superb – he delivered an incredible ball.’
‘It was a classic English cross. In Italy, we curl them more, but this was like a laser beam. Honestly, I attempted to jump, but it was slightly behind me. In a split second, I thought: “this is my chance to score the greatest goal ever!”’
The crowd erupted in cheers.
‘Even my celebration shows it was a surprise to me! I’m not one for excessive self-celebration,’ he chuckled, ‘…but it was hard to contain myself. It was the best goal.’
Sportsmanship and Fair Play
Demonstrating his unpredictable nature, Di Canio transitioned from receiving an 11-game ban for referee assault to earning a FIFA Fair Play Award. This honor was awarded after his act of sportsmanship in 2000 when he caught the ball instead of scoring a late winning goal, recognizing that Everton goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was injured.
‘My character is built on loyalty and respect for others, I would never act dishonourably,’ Di Canio explained. ‘In that instant, it was evident that Gerrard had control of the ball and was injured. I stopped. For me, the game concluded in that moment.’
A victory in that game would have elevated West Ham above Liverpool in the pursuit of a top-six finish.
‘After the match, I felt a sense of accomplishment in doing something honorable and unique. The Everton players acknowledged my gesture with handshakes. I was the last to enter the dressing room.’
He earned a FIFA fair play award after his act of sportsmanship in 2000 when he caught the ball instead of scoring a late winner when he saw Everton’s goalkeeper Paul Gerrard was injured
A win would have taken West Ham above Liverpool in the race for the top six
Di Canio is spared questions about his political past. None about the two straight-arm salutes he gave to Lazio fans in 2005
‘“F*** off, you!” they told me. I asked what I had done wrong. “We should have won the game,” they responded, “we need the points!”. I was actually concerned about being attacked when I went to shower!’
Controversial Past and Personal Touch
Notably, Di Canio was not questioned about his controversial political affiliations. There were no inquiries regarding the two straight-arm salutes he directed towards Lazio fans in 2005, nor his subsequent statement: ‘I am a fascist, not a racist.’ His ‘Dux’ tattoo, a reference to Benito Mussolini, also went unmentioned.
‘He faced political difficulties,’ commented a man from Mail Sport’s table, the fortunate early arriver in the West Ham training top.
‘He performed a Nazi salute. Though he’s likely changed now.’
‘I’d vote for Paolo for Prime Minister without hesitation,’ his son responded.
Grandfather Again and Future Aspirations
Di Canio recently experienced a hectic schedule, including another similar event in Essex the previous evening. Moments before taking the stage in Reading, he received news via text message that he had become a grandfather again.
Earlier in the week, he visited West Ham’s Rush Green training ground, meeting with manager Graham Potter.
Fittingly, a final question from the audience inquired whether Di Canio harbored ambitions to manage West Ham, the club he still considers home.
Ten minutes before he takes the stage here he receives a text to inform him he’s become a grandfather again
One of the final questions from the audience is to ask Di Canio if he’d ever like to manage the club he still calls home
‘I will live my whole life until the last second in hope and dream,’ Di Canio says of managing his beloved West Ham
‘I will continue to hope and dream for my entire life,’ Di Canio declared, eliciting another enthusiastic roar from the crowd. ‘However, I prefer not to discuss it now because I recently met with Graham Potter, which I found very positive. We had a good conversation. I admire his football intellect.’
‘I hope in the upcoming matches, we allow him the opportunity to cultivate the qualities we appreciate in our players. And I believe we need to focus on bringing in the appropriate footballers during the transfer window to facilitate his strategy, philosophy, and attacking approach. I view the future as very promising.’
Farewell Anthem
Before departing the stage to catch a flight back to Italy, Di Canio delivered one last demonstration of his crowd control ability, leading a rousing rendition of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles, arms crossed in front of his chest.
Attendees finished their drinks, put on their coats, and engaged in animated conversations as they returned to their cars. One individual, beaming, skipped towards the exit, clutching a replica World Cup trophy and a teddy bear under his arm, a tangible reminder of an evening spent celebrating a football icon.