 Fans gained national attention after giving a torrid time to David Beckham in his first away match of 1998 – 99 the season after the England midfielder was sent off for a petulant foul on Diego Simeone . Coinciding with the game , there were claims ( and an image taken ) that fans , organised by a hardcore , had hung an effigy of the player outside a local pub . Although it was later revealed that the pub was in South @-@ East London , the heartland of West Ham 's greatest rivals Millwall . The West Ham fans did boo Beckham 's every touch of the ball during the game , however . 
