West Ham fan ‘Knollsy’gets heros ovation after fighting ultras
West Ham fan Chis Knoll, better known as ‘Knollsy’, appeared emotional in a new viral video which sees fans chanting his name after his clash with the Dutch ultras.
The 58-year-old has been widely praised for putting himself at risk to help protect the families of club players following Thursday’s Europa Conference League win over AZ Alkmaar.
Knoll refused to allow hooded thugs to reach the
seating area where the players’ partners and children sat as he single-handedly fought the Dutch ultras.
The supporter, dubbed the ‘Angel of Alkmaar’, received a standing ovation as he watched the Hammers 3-1 win over Leeds on Sunday sporting a huge black eye.
A new video has now been released in which Knoll appears emotional as West Ham fans chant his name outside the Carpenters Arms pub, which is a short walk from the London stadium.
It shows dozens of fans chanting “Knollsy is massive everywhere we go” outside the pub, with Knoll at one point appearing to be trying to hold back tears.
One supporter is seen hugging the 58-year-old as others attempt to talk to him and one even takes a knee to greet Knoll, who has become a hero among the club’s fanbase.
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After West Ham’s win over Leeds, the father-of-four was spotted by other fans and posed for selfies with a number of them.
He was seen smiling and in good spirits with a bruised left eye outside the London stadium.
Fans were also heard chanting “We love you Knollsy, we do”.
Knoll had played down the praise that followed him on social media, with images of him fighting at least half a dozen AK Alkmaar ultras having circled the globe.
He was then photographed with his shirt torn, but still smiling.
He told Mail Sport: “I’m not a hero. I just did what I had to do. There was another guy pushing them back.
“I don’t like bullies and I just had to try to stop them.
West Ham will face Italian side Fiorentina in the final on June 7.