Kiwi fan's ashes: We shall not be moved

Paul Sneyd's daughter and son-in-law, Anna and Hayden Spence. Photo / Malcolm Pullman

Family of a Kiwi football fan whose ashes were flown to Britain are worried about where his remains will end up because his favourite club is on the move.

When he died in May 2008, Masterton man Paul Sneyd's family decided he should be laid to rest in a memorial garden for West Ham supporters, in the shadow of the club's home stadium in London.

Sneyd, who was 55 when he died, was devoted to the world-famous side.

He would have been delighted West Ham won promotion to the English Premier League last month, just hours after the sixth anniversary of his death, his Whangerei-based daughter Anna Spence said.

However, Sneyd is now in limbo because it is unclear what will happen to the ashes if, as expected, the club shifts from its Upton Park ground to the Olympic Stadium in London next year.

Spence and her husband Hayden travel to England in two weeks to speak to West Ham officials about ensuring Sneyd's remains move with the club.

"It's a little concerning," Spence, 32, said. "Dad would have been over the moon about the team getting promotion and when the club moves, we want him to go with them.

"We would like for him to be within the sound of the fans singing on the terracings forever."

Sneyd, originally from Margate, Kent, moved to New Zealand when he was 21. He never lost his passion for West Ham - nicknamed The Hammers.

A decision on whether the club will move is expected in the next few weeks. A club spokesman said ashes would be moved only after considerable consultation with families.