West Ham hero Knollsy makes fearless vow as he arrives in Prague for UECL final after holding off Alkmaar thugs
FEARLESS West Ham superfan Chris “Knollsy” Knoll vowed to go to war for his club again if needed – as he arrived in Prague for the UECL final tonight.
The 58-year-old bruiser was hailed a hero after holding off AZ Alkmaar thugs when they charged Irons fans and WAGs last month.
He joins thousands of others who headed to Czech Republic’s capital to soak up the match-day atmosphere before West Ham play Italian-side Fiorentina in the Europa Conference final.
Knollsy looked in good spirits as he took selfies with fans outside the Fortuna Arena last night.
David Moyes’ side are eyeing up their first European trophy in 58 years – with emotions among the crowd expected to be electrifying.
Knollsy told the MailOnline that if tensions escalated, he was prepared to defend his fellow supporters again.
He said: “I hope there’s no trouble here, because I might have to do it all again.
“I have to say it again, but I only did what would’ve been expected.
“There were women and children and they could’ve been attacked.
“I acted instinctively, although I had a feeling there was something bad in the air before.”
The dad-of-four was lauded after his valiant brawl with the Dutch hoolies last month.
AZ Alkmaar ultras broke down a 12ft gate as West Ham bested their side 1-0 to secure a place in the final.
Wearing black hoods and masks, the firm known as the “Ben Side Ultras” stormed towards stands that included families of the players after the final whistle.
But the horrifying scenes weren’t enough to stop Knollsy stepping in.
Instead he stepped up and along with another fan stood at the top of the steps which led up the seats, battering the yobs as they tried to climb up.
West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola branded Chris a “legend”, while his wife Marrion labelled him as the “biggest hero”.
AZ Alkmaar has issued a grovelling apology – and the club is now being investigated by UEFA over the violence.
AZ’s hooliganism is said to stem from the club’s early days with a group known as the “Ben Side” supporters.
The name refers to where the group sits in the Jan van der Ben stand, which was named after a predecessor club’s chairman.
The group claims they “made their mark for the first time” during an away match at Feyenoord in 1977, according to an AZ supporter website.
There they clashed with opposition fans, throwing beer bottles and cans at players.
In another notorious meeting, the group clashed with Haarlem in June 1977.
Riots ensued over the game, with many supporters brining knives, and cops later made several arrests.
A 16-year-old was stabbed and around 28 people arrested during a particularly horrific altercation in March 1986 between AZ and PSV fans.
The teenager, a PSV fan who was not identified, was rushed to hospital.
At the same game, confrontations between supporters also saw a home-made pipe bomb lobbed into the PSV stand, although luckily no one was injured, reported The New York Times.
The “Ben Side” group has continued to show its support online in recent years.
Its members appear dressed in black, raising flairs, letting off fireworks and causing havoc at both home and away games.
The group though claims it is only interested in “improving the atmosphere in the stadium”.
Dutch police say they are continuing to analyse the footage from yesterday’s attack.
The force said: “Together with AZ, the municipality of Alkmaar and the public prosecution service we will evaluate last night’s incidents, which we regret having happened. This kind of behaviour has no place in football.”