Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has just learned the nickname that West Ham United fans gave Craig Dawson during his time at the London Stadium.
Craig Dawson originally joined West Ham on a season-long loan from Watford way back in October 2020.
The Hammers then made his move to the London Stadium a permanent one for a further £3 million in the summer of 2021 (The Sun).
West Ham fans were gutted when the 34-year-old centre-back was sold to Wolves in January 2023 for around £3.3 million, after he asked to be granted a move to a club closer to his family home in the north of England.
What a superb player he proved to be for us during his two-and-a-half year spell in East London.
In fact, during his time with the Hammers, he was actually our best centre-back – certainly the most reliable.
And he was hugely popular with the West Ham fans – a true cult hero if there ever was one.
It’s no surprise that he was given such a brilliant nickname by the Hammers faithful.
Jamie Carragher learns West Ham fans’ Craig Dawson nickname
The former Liverpool defender was on co-comms duty for the Wolves vs Newcastle clash for Sky Sports yesterday (Sunday September 15th, 5:39pm).
And midway through the game, he learned something new about Craig Dawson.
As Carragher was praising Dawson, lead commentator Bill Leslie stepped in, and highlighted just how much the 34-year-old was loved as the London Stadium.
Leslie said, “Going back to Craig Dawson, he’s carved from the old school isn’t he. 50th appearance for Wolves today, and over 500 in his career. They loved him at West Ham didn’t they – Balon Dawson.“
Carragher responded, “What’s that, Balon Dawson?“, followed by a cackling laugh.
You could tell by his reaction that he absolutely loved the monicker given to Dawson by the Hammers fans.
Craig Dawson a West Ham cult hero
Dawson made 87 appearances for West Ham, and scored nine goals for us, with his most memorable strike coming the Europa League quarter-final away at Lyon in 2022.
His never say-die-attitude, 100% commitment and passion for the shirt epitomised what playing for the Hammers is all about.
The experienced Englishman has to go down as one of our very best value for money signings of all-time.
It was such a shame when he joined Wolves in January 2023 in order to be closer to his family, but he certainly left with the fans’ blessing.
Craig Dawson was a real fan favourite at West Ham, and now Jamie Carragher has learned just how popular he was in East London.
The one and only Balon Dawson is still very much missed at the London Stadium.
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