For the West Ham game you mention, I was sat on the Paddock advertising wall above the S in the Visionhire advert, aged 9 lol. I know this because over the years they have occasionally shown the goals for that match on Tyne Tees and I can see myself there. Talk about a good viewing point. Happy, simple times which I sometime yearn to revisit.
you must be around my age mate (41) i was also 9, standing in the Fulwell End just in front of 1 of the barriers (thankfully) otherwise i may have been crushed