I’VE never been much of a fan of West Ham, especially after the Clarets twice dumped Town out of the play-offs a few years back.

But I have to admit that I have this season kept a glancing eye on the goings on at Upton Park.

The reason for my new found admiration can be summed up in two words - Gianfranco Zola.

The little Italian was a class act on the pitch - and it turns out he is exactly the same off it.

Intelligent and charming, Zola is a breath of fresh air in a sport which has become synonymous with greed and arrogance.

And what’s more, he has managed to achieve impressive results in difficult circumstances in east London, shattering the notion that you have to be a whiner to be a winner.

The class of the man was perfectly illustrated on Saturday after his team’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

In the post match interviews, opposite number Sam Allardyce ranted at the officials, blaming the men in black instead of his own faltering team.

Zola, on the other hand, refused to cast criticism on the referee for failing to award a blatant penalty when Kieron Dyer was felled late on.

The Hammers manager brushed aside the suggestion his team had been denied an extra two points, describing the referee’s performance as “excellent” and using the interview as an opportunity to praise his players.

It’s nothing more than most would expect of the man who famously turned down Roman Abramovich’s blank cheque offer to remain at Chelsea, instead honouring a promise to end his fine career for hometown club Cagliari.

I can't help thinking English football is richer for Zola’s presence.