Collaborating For Business, West Ham Invites Iron Maiden

LONDON - The Premier League club, West Ham United, working with heavy metal legend Iron Maiden to produce a special jersey called Die With Your Boots On.

The partnership - named after the 1983 Maiden song title - was fueled by band founder and bassist Steve Harris, who had watched every West Ham game since childhood.

"I went to watch West Ham play Newcastle when I was nine and my friend was 10," he said. Launching kerrang.com, Saturday, November 30.

"We took the bus to the stadium and they won 4-3. I'm hooked! "

Harris has been a West Ham supporter since 1965 and often shows off his love for 'The Hammers'. One of them, through a sticker attached to the bass body.

"When I was on stage and saw the fans in the audience wearing West Ham attributes, it gave me goosebumps," Harris explained his feelings of being on stage and seeing the fanbase of the band which is quite fanatical about West Ham.

Meanwhile license manager Tracey Stratton said the launch of this collaboration made perfect sense. Especially with Harris' passion and attention to every detail.

“One weekend last summer our club shop was flooded with rock fans from all over the world, and we realized that Iron Maiden played two sold out shows at O2 [in London]. (The collaboration) is just amazing, "Stratton explained.

This jersey was designed directly by Harris and is sold on the official Iron Maiden website for £ 55.

“I think this (collaboration) is brilliant. I really like the version and color of this emblem, and this type of old classic jersey. It's a modern form but with a retro design, and I like that. Up the irons! " said Harris.

Before deciding to become a musician, Harris played for the West Ham youth team as a teenager. But then he changed his mind.