West Ham United was founded in 1895 asThames Ironworks and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. It moved to the Boleyn Ground, which remained its home ground for more than a century, in 1904. The team initially competed in theSouthern League andWestern League before joining theFootball League in 1919. It was promoted to the top flight in 1923, when it was also losing finalist in the firstFA Cup final held atWembley. In 1940, the club won the inauguralFootball League War Cup.
West Ham United has won five major honours in its history. Domestically, it has been winner of theFA Cup three times (1964, 1975 and 1980) and runner-up twice (1923 and 2006). In European competitions, the club has reached three major European finals winning theEuropean Cup Winners' Cup in1965, finishing runner-up in the same competitions in1976, and winning the second edition of theConference League in2023. The club has also won one minor European trophy by winning theIntertoto Cup in 1999. West Ham United is one of eight clubs never to have fallen below the second tier of English football, spending 66 of 98 league seasons in the top flight, up to and including the2023–24 season. The club's highest league position to date came in1985–86, when it achieved third place in the thenFirst Division.
The repair yard of theCastle Shipping Line was a very near neighbour and their work team, initially known as theCastle Swifts, would informally merge with the Thames Ironworks own team.
The team played on a strictly amateur basis for 1895 at least, with a team featuring a number of works employees. Thomas Freeman was a ships fireman and Walter Parks, a clerk.Johnny Stewart,Walter Tranter andJames Lindsay were all boilermakers. Other employees included William Chapman,George Sage and Fred Chamberlain, as well as apprentice riveterCharlie Dove, who was to have a great influence on the club's future at a later date.[6]
Thames Ironworks won theWest Ham Charity Cup, contested by clubs in theWest Ham locality, in 1895, then won theLondon League in 1897. They turned professional in 1898 upon entering theSouthern League Second Division, and were promoted to the First Division at the first attempt.[8] The following year they came second from bottom, but had established themselves as a fully-fledged competitive team. They comfortably fended off the challenge of local rivalsFulham in a relegation play-off, 5–1 in late April 1900 and retained their First Division status.[8]
The team initially played in full dark blue kits, as inspired by Mr. Hills, who had been an Oxford University "Blue", but changed the following season by adopting the sky blue shirts and white shorts combination worn from 1897 to 1899.
Following growing disputes over the running and financing of the club, in June 1900 Thames Ironworks F.C. was disbanded, then almost immediately relaunched as West Ham United F.C. – reflecting theWest Ham, London district where they played – on 5 July 1900 withSyd King as their manager and future managerCharlie Paynter as his assistant. Because of the original "works team" roots and links (still represented upon the club badge), they are still known as "the Irons" or "the Hammers" amongst fans and the media.[9][10]
Birth of West Ham United (1901–1961)
West Ham United joined the Western League for the 1901 season[11] while also continuing to play in the Southern Division 1. In 1907, West Ham were crowned the Western League Division 1B Champions, and then defeated 1A champions Fulham 1–0 to become the Western League Overall Champions.[11] The reborn club continued to play their games at theMemorial Grounds inPlaistow (funded by Arnold Hills) but moved to apitch in the Upton Park area in the guise of theBoleyn Ground stadium in 1904. West Ham's first game in their new home was against fiercerivalsMillwall (themselves an Ironworks team, albeit for a rival company) drawing a crowd of 10,000 and with West Ham running out 3–0 winners,[12] and as theDaily Mirror wrote on 2 September 1904, "Favoured by the weather turning fine after heavy rains of the morning, West Ham United began their season most auspiciously yesterday evening; when they beat Millwall by 3 goals to 0 on their new enclosure at Upton Park."
Billie the White Horse, saviour of the 1923FA Cup final
In 1919, still under King's leadership, West Ham gained entrance to theFootball League Second Division, their first game being a 1–1 draw withLincoln City, and were promoted to theFirst Division in 1923, also making it to the first everFA Cup final to be held at the oldWembley Stadium. Their opponents wereBolton Wanderers. This was also known as the "White Horse final", where nearly 300,000 people (according to Police estimates)[13] came to see the match. Overcrowding led to the crowd spilling out on to the pitch, which had to be cleared prior to kick-off by "Billie", a giant white horse (actually grey) being ridden by PCGeorge Scorey. The cup final match itself ended 2–0 to Bolton. The team enjoyed mixed success in the First Division but retained their status for ten years and reached the FA Cup semi-final in 1933.[14]
In 1932, the club was relegated to the Second Division[15] and long-term custodianSyd King was sacked after serving the club in the role of manager for 32 years, and as a player from 1899 to 1903. Following relegation, King had mental health problems. He appeared drunk at a board meeting and killed himself soon after.[16] He was replaced with his assistant managerCharlie Paynter, who himself had been with West Ham in a number of roles since 1897 and who went on to serve the team in this role until 1950 for a total of 480 games.
In June 1940 the club won its first major trophy, theWar Cup, beating first divisionBlackburn Rovers 1-0 at Wembley Stadium. The War Cup replaced the FA Cup for the duration of hostilities.[17] The club spent most of the next thirty years in the second division, first under Paynter and then later under the leadership of former playerTed Fenton.
Fenton succeeded in getting the club promoted back to the top level of English football in 1958. With the considerable input of playerMalcolm Allison, Fenton helped develop both the initial batch of future West Ham stars and West Ham's approach to the game.[18][19][20][21]
There is a "Champions" statue inBarking Road, opposite TheBoleyn Tavern, commemorating West Ham's "three sons" who helped win the 1966 World Cup: Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. Also included on the statue isEverton'sRay Wilson.[26]
After a difficult start to the 1974–75 season, Greenwood moved himself "upstairs" to become general manager and, without informing the board, appointed his assistantJohn Lyall as team manager.[27] The result was instant success – the team scored 20 goals in their first four games and won the FA Cup, becoming the last team to win the FA Cup with an all-English side when they beat Fulham 2–0 in the 1975 final.[28] The Fulham team included two former Englandcaptains,Alan Mullery and West Ham legend Bobby Moore.[29] Lyall then guided West Ham to anotherEuropean Cup Winners' Cup final in 1976, though the team lost the match 4–2 to Belgian sideAnderlecht.[30] Greenwood's tenure as general manager lasted less than three years, as he was appointed to manage England in the wake ofDon Revie's resignation in 1977.[31]
In 1978, West Ham were again relegated to the Second Division, but Lyall was retained as manager and led the team to victory in the1980 FA Cup final with a 1–0 win againstArsenal, the most recent time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup.[32] They reached the final by defeating Everton in the semi-final.[33] West Ham were promoted to the First Division in 1981, and finished in the top ten of the First Division for the next three seasons before achieving their highest-ever league finish of third in 1985–86; a group of players which came to be known asThe Boys of 86.
Ups and downs (1986–2005)
However, theHammers suffered relegation again in 1989, which resulted in Lyall's sacking.[34] He was awarded anex gratia payment of£100,000 (equivalent to £314,000 in 2023) but left the club in what Lyall described as "upsetting" circumstances, meriting only 73 words in a terse acknowledgement of his service in the club programme. Lyall left West Ham after 34 years' service.[35]
Yearly performance of West Ham since joining the Football League
After Lyall,Lou Macari briefly led the team, though he resigned after less than a single season in order to clear his name of allegations of illegal betting while manager ofSwindon Town.[36]He was replaced by former playerBilly Bonds.[37] In Bonds' first full season,1990–91, West Ham again secured promotion to the First Division. Now back in the top flight, Bonds saw West Ham through one of their most controversial seasons. With the club planning to introduce abond scheme, there was crowd unrest. West Ham finished last and were relegated back to the Second Division after only one season.[38][39][40][41] However, they rebounded strongly in 1992–93. WithTrevor Morley andClive Allen scoring 40 goals, they guaranteed themselves second place on the last day of the season with a 2–0 home win againstCambridge United, and with it promotion to thePremier League.[42][43]
With the team in the Premier League, there was a need to rebuild the team.Oxford United playerJoey Beauchamp was recruited for a fee of £1.2 million (equivalent to £3.1 million in 2023). Shortly after arriving at the club, however, he became unhappy, citing homesickness from his native Oxford as the reason. Bonds in particular found this attitude hard to understand compared to his own committed, never-say-die approach; providing for Bonds' further evidence of the decay in the modern game and modern player.[44] Fifty-eight days later, Beauchamp was signed by Swindon Town for a club-record combined fee of £800,000 (equivalent to £2.1 million in 2023), which included defenderAdrian Whitbread going in the opposite direction. Whitbread was valued at £750,000 (equivalent to £1.8 million in 2023) in the deal.[45]
Assistant managerHarry Redknapp was also now taking a bigger role in the transfer of players, with the club's approval. With rumours of his old clubAFC Bournemouth being prepared to offer him a position,[46] the West Ham board and their managing director,Peter Storrie, made a controversial move. The board were anxious not to lose Redknapp's services and offered Bonds a place away from the day-to-day affairs of the club on the West Ham board. This would have allowed them to appoint Redknapp as manager. Bonds refused the post offered and walked away from the club.[47] His accusations of deceit and manipulation by the board and by Redknapp have continued to cause ill-feeling.[47] Peter Storrie claimed that they had handled the situation correctly, saying, "If Harry had gone to Bournemouth, there was a good chance Bill would have resigned anyway, so we were in a no-win situation. We're sad that Bill is going, and it's a big blow but it's time to move on and we have appointed a great manager."[48]Redknapp became manager on 10 August 1994.[49]
Redknapp's seven years as manager was notable for the turnover of players during his tenure and for the level of attractive football and success which had not been seen since the managership of John Lyall. Over 134 players passed through the club while he was manager, producing a net transfer fee deficit of £16 million, despite the £18 million sale (equivalent to £38.3 million in 2023) ofRio Ferdinand toLeeds United in 2000.[50] Some were notably successful, such as the signings ofStuart Pearce,[51]Trevor Sinclair,[51]Paolo Di Canio,[51]John Hartson,[51]Eyal Berkovic[51] andIan Wright.[52] Meanwhile, some were expensive, international players who failed at West Ham, such asFlorin Raducioiu;[51]Davor Šuker, who earned as much in wages as the revenue gained from one entire stand and yet made only eight appearances;[50]Christian Bassila, who cost £720,000 (equivalent to £1.5 million in 2023) and played only 86 minutes of football;[50]Titi Camara;Gary Charles, whose wages amounted to £4.4 million (equivalent to £9 million in 2023) but made only three starts for the club;[50]Rigobert Song;Paulo Futre;[51] andMarco Boogers,[51] a player often quoted as one of the biggest failures in the Premier League.[53] His first season in charge saw West Ham fighting the threat of relegation until the last few weeks,[54] while his third season would also see another relegation battle. Always willing to enter the transfer market, Redknapp bought in the winter transfer window John Hartson andPaul Kitson, who added the impetus needed at the season's end.[55]
In 1999, West Ham finished fifth, their highest position in the top flight since 1986.[51] They also won theIntertoto Cup beating French clubMetz to qualify for the1999–2000 UEFA Cup.[51][56] Things began to falter for Redknapp with the sale of Ferdinand to Leeds in November 2000. Redknapp used the transfer money poorly with purchases such asRagnvald Soma, who cost £800,000 (equivalent to £1.7 million in 2023) and played only seven league games, Camara, and Song. Redknapp felt he needed more funds with which to deal in the transfer market.[57] ChairmanBrown lost patience with Redknapp due to his demands for further transfer funds. In June 2001, called to a meeting with Brown expecting to discuss contracts, he was fired.[57] His assistantFrank Lampard left too, making the sale of his son,Frank Lampard Jr., inevitable;[57] in the summer of 2001, he joinedChelsea for £11 million (equivalent to £23 million in 2023).[58]
With several names, such as former playerAlan Curbishley, now linked with the job, Chairman Brown recruited from within the club,[57] appointing reserve team coachGlenn Roeder as manager on 9 May 2001.[49] He had already failed in management withGillingham, where he lost 22 of the 35 games he managed, andWatford.[59] His first big signings were the return ofDon Hutchison for £5 million (equivalent to £10.4 million in 2023)[60] and Czech centre backTomáš Řepka.[61] Finishing seventh in his first season[62] Roeder, in his office atUpton Park, suffered a blocked blood vessel in his brain.[59][63] As Roeder needed medical help and recuperation, former stalwartTrevor Brooking stood in as caretaker manager.[63] Despite not losing another game, the Hammers were relegated on the last day of the season atBirmingham City, with a record high for a relegated club of 42 points from a 38-game season. Ten seasons of top-tier football were over.[64] Many top players, includingJoe Cole, Di Canio and Kanouté, all left the club.
The next season, now in the second tier, Roeder resumed his stint as manager. Results were still poor, however, and after an away defeat toRotherham United, he was sacked on 24 August 2003.[59] Brooking again took over as caretaker.[65] He lost only one game, a 2–0 away defeat toGillingham[66] and is known as "the best manager West Ham never had."[67]
FormerCrystal Palace player and manager ofReadingAlan Pardew was lined up to be the next bench boss. Reading and their chairman,John Madejski, however, were reluctant to let him leave.[68] After serving a period of notice and gardening leave, and with West Ham paying Reading £380,000 (equivalent to £759,000 in 2023) in compensation, he was appointed manager on 18 October 2003, their tenth manager.[69] Pardew set out to rebuild the side bringing inNigel Reo-Coker,[70]Marlon Harewood[71] andBrian Deane.[72] In his first season in charge, they made the playoff final only to lose to Crystal Palace.[73] His signings ofBobby Zamora,Matthew Etherington and veteransChris Powell andTeddy Sheringham saw West Ham finishing sixth and subsequently beatPreston North End 1–0 thanks to a Zamora goal in the2005 playoff final, securing a return to the Premier League.[74] After ensuring promotion, Pardew said, "It's a team effort. We defended well and we're back where we belong."[75]
Final years at the Boleyn (2005–2016)
On their return to the top division, West Ham finished in ninth place,[76] The highlight of the2005–06 season, however, was reaching theFA Cup final and taking favouritesLiverpool to apenalty shootout after a 3–3 draw. West Ham lost the shootout, but nonetheless gained entry to the following season'sUEFA Cup as Liverpool had already qualified for theChampions League. In August 2006, West Ham completed a major coup on the last day of the transfer window after completing the signings ofCarlos Tevez andJavier Mascherano.[77] The club was eventually bought by anIcelandic consortium, led byEggert Magnússon, in November 2006.[78] Manager Alan Pardew was sacked after poor form during the season[79] and was replaced by formerCharlton Athletic managerAlan Curbishley.[80]
The signings of Mascherano and Tevez were investigated by the Premier League, who were concerned that details of the transfers had been omitted from official records. The club was found guilty and fined £5.5 million in April 2007.[81] However, West Ham avoided a points deduction which ultimately became critical in their avoidance of relegation at the end of the2006–07 season. Following on from this event,Wigan Athletic chairmanDave Whelan, supported by other sides facing possible relegation, including Fulham andSheffield United, threatened legal action.[82] West Ham escaped relegation by winning seven of their last nine games, including a 1–0 win over Arsenal, and on the last day of the season defeated newly crowned League ChampionsManchester United 1–0 with a goal by Tevez to finish 15th.[83]
In the2007–08 season, West Ham remained reasonably consistently in the top half of the league table, withFreddie Ljungberg in the team, despite a slew of injuries; new signingCraig Bellamy missed most of the campaign, whileKieron Dyer was out from August 2007.[84][85] The last game of the season, at theBoleyn Ground, saw West Ham draw 2–2 againstAston Villa, ensuring a tenth-place finish three points ahead of rivalsTottenham Hotspur. It was a five-place improvement on the previous season, and most importantly West Ham were never under any realistic threat of relegation.
After a row with the board over the sale of defendersAnton Ferdinand andGeorge McCartney toSunderland, manager Alan Curbishley resigned on 3 September 2008.[86] His successor was former Chelsea strikerGianfranco Zola, who took over on 11 September 2008 to become the club's first non-British manager.[87] In the2008–09 season, West Ham finished ninth, a single place improvement.
In the2009–10 season, West Ham started strongly with a 2–0 win over newly promotedWolverhampton Wanderers, with goals fromMark Noble and newly appointed captainMatthew Upson.[88] ALeague Cupmatch against old rivalsMillwall brought about violent riots outside the ground as well aspitch invasions and crowd trouble insideUpton Park.[89]In August 2009, the financial concerns of Icelandic owners parent companies left the current owners unable to provide any funds until a new owner was found. The club's shirt sponsorSBOBET provided the club with help to purchase a much needed striker, the ItalianAlessandro Diamanti.[90]
West Ham had a poor season which involved a prolonged battle against relegation.[91] They finally secured their survival with two games remaining by defeating Wigan 3–2.[92] The club managed to take 35 points from 38 games, seven fewer than the total they had when relegated seven years prior.[91]On 11 May 2010, two days after the end of the 2009–10 season, West Ham announced the termination of Zola's contract with immediate effect.[93] On 3 June 2010,Avram Grant signed a four-year deal to become the next manager of West Ham subject to awork permit.[94] West Ham's form continued to be poor with the team seldom outside the relegation zone,[95] placing Grant's future as manager under serious doubt.[96] A 4–0Football League Cup quarter-final win over Manchester United was an otherwise bright spot in a disappointing season.[97] West Ham's form in the Premier League did not affect their form in the two domestic cups. The Hammers reached the semi-final of the League Cup before being eliminated by eventual winnersBirmingham City as well as the quarter-final of the FA Cup before a 2–1 defeat at eventual runners-upStoke City.[98][99]
On 15 May 2011, West Ham's relegation tothe Championship was confirmed after a comeback from Wigan at theDW Stadium. With West Ham leading 2–0 at half-time through twoDemba Ba goals, Wigan battled back to win 3–2 thanks to an added-time strike fromCharles N'Zogbia. Following the loss, West Ham announced thesacking of manager Avram Grant just one season into his tenure.[100] On 1 June 2011,Sam Allardyce was appointed as manager as Grant's replacement.[101]
The club finished third in the2011–12 Football League Championship with 86 points and took part in the play-offs. They beatCardiff City in the play-off semi-final 5–0 on aggregate to reach the final againstBlackpool atWembley on 19 May 2012.Carlton Cole opened the scoring, and although Blackpool equalised early in the second half,Ricardo Vaz Tê scored the winner for West Ham in the 87th minute.[102]
West Ham, on their return to the Premier League, signed former playersJames Collins andGeorge McCartney on permanent deals, as well as record signingMatt Jarvis andAndy Carroll on loan.[103][104][105][106] They won their first game of the season, on 18 August 2012, 1–0 againstAston Villa thanks to aKevin Nolan goal.[107] The highlight of the first half of the season was a 3–1 home win against reigningEuropean championsChelsea on 1 December 2012 which saw them in eighth position[108] and 12th at the end of the year.[109] On 22 March 2013, West Ham secured a 99-year lease deal on theOlympic Stadium, with it planned to be used as their home ground from the 2016–17 season.[110] Tenth place was secured at the end of the season with nine home wins and only three away from home. Only 11 away goals were scored, the lowest of the entire league.[111]
In2013–14, West Ham finished 13th in the Premier League.[112] They also reached the semi-finals of theLeague Cup before losing 9–0 on aggregate to eventual cup-winnersManchester City.[113] A feature of the season were the criticisms of manager Sam Allardyce by supporters relating to his perceived negative playing tactics.[114][115][116] West Ham finished 12th in the2014–15 Premier League, one place higher than the previous season. Minutes after the last game of the season, on 24 May 2015, the club announced that Allardyce's contract would not be renewed and that they were seeking a new manager.[117] By winning the Premier LeagueFair Play table for 2014–15, West Ham qualified for the2015–16 UEFA Europa League, entering at the first qualifying round.[118]
On 9 June 2015, former West Ham playerSlaven Bilić was appointed as manager on a three-year contract.[119] In Bilić's fourth game in charge, the team won atAnfield for the first time in 52 years, beating Liverpool 0–3, with goals fromManuel Lanzini, Mark Noble andDiafra Sakho.[120] At the end of the season, West Ham finished 7th in the Premier League. The team broke several records for the club in the Premier League era, including the highest number of points (62), the highest number of goals in a season (65), the fewest games lost in a season (8) and the lowest number of away defeats (5).[121] The season also marked the last season where the team played at the Boleyn Ground, with them moving to the London Stadium from next season – ending their 112-year stay at the stadium.
Move to London Stadium and European success (2016–present)
Following Manchester United's win in the2016 FA Cup final, West Ham took their Europa League place and qualified for the third qualifying round of the2016–17 edition.[122] At the end of thefirst season at the London Stadium, the team finished 11th, along with having to deal with the departure of star manDimitri Payet.[123] However, the team suffered a poor start to the following season, taking only two wins in their opening 11 games. Following a 4–1 defeat to Liverpool at home and with the team threatened by relegation, Bilić was sacked on 6 November 2017. He was replaced by former Sunderland bossDavid Moyes on a contract until the end of the season. The team battled inconsistent form for the rest of the season but managed to avoid relegation and finish 13th. Moyes was not offered a new contract and left the club on the expiration of it on 16 May 2018.[124]
On 22 May 2018, the club appointed formerManchester City bossManuel Pellegrini as the new manager on a three-year contract.[125] In his first season in charge, the Hammers finished 10th, once again suffering from inconsistent form. However, after a poor first half to the following season, Pellegrini was sacked in December 2019 with the team only one point above the relegation zone. His last game in charge was a 2–1 home loss to Leicester City.[126] He was replaced by David Moyes, who returned for a second spell in charge a day later.[127]
On 22 July 2020, the club secured their Premier League status for another season, following a 1–1 draw away to Manchester United.[128] Ahead of the2020–21 season, West Ham's ownership attracted criticism, including from club captain Mark Noble who publicly criticized the sale of academy graduateGrady Diangana.[129] Despite losing the opening two games of the season, West Ham's form improved and by the end of November, the club sat in fifth place.[130] The club would not drop out of a European spot for the rest of the season and went on to qualify for the2021–22 UEFA Europa League group stages after finishing in 6th.[131] Moyes signed a new three-year contract on 12 June 2021.[132]
West Ham won their first three games of the year 2022, temporarily elevating the club to fourth place in the Premier League.[133] The team beatSevilla 2–1 on aggregate to reach a first European quarter-final in 41 years,[134] followed by a 4–1 aggregate win overLyon for a first such semi-final since 1976.[135] Playing the same opposition they met in their 1976European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final,Eintracht Frankfurt, theHammers were knocked out of the Europa League, following a 3–1 aggregate loss to the German side.[136] At the end of the2021–22 Premier League season, West Ham confirmed a second successive season of European football, qualifying for theUEFA Europa Conference League after finishing seventh. The season was also notable for being Mark Noble's final as a West Ham player, with the midfielder retiring from football after 18 years as a first team player at the club, making 550 appearances in all competitions, scoring 62 times.[137] By finishing 7th in the 2021–22 Premier League, West Ham qualified for the2022–23 Europa Conference League, entering at theplay-off stage.[138]
The2022–23 campaign was a mixed bag for theHammers. The club finished 14th in the Premier League, only securing their Premier League status with two games remaining and exiting the League Cup to lower league opposition in a season that saw manager David Moyes come under pressure.[139][140] In January 2023, Mark Noble returned to the club as sporting director.[141] Despite the troubles in West Ham's domestic campaign, they excelled in the Europa Conference League. The club progressed to thefinal unbeaten, winning 13 games and drawing just once.[142] They went on to win the competition, defeatingFiorentina 2–1 in the final to claim their first major trophy since 1980 and their first European trophy in 58 years.[143] Moyes was not offered a new contract in 2024, having led West Ham to three consecutive European seasons for the first time in their history, reaching at least the quarter-finals of each.[144][145] On 23 May the club namedJulen Lopetegui as his replacement.[146]He was sacked on 8 January 2025 with the team in 14th position, seven points above the relegation positions; during his tenure, they lost nine of 20 Premier League games.[147]On 9 JanuaryGraham Potter was appointed as head coach signing a two–and–a–half year contract.[148] On 27 September 2025, Potter was sacked by West Ham United following poor results and performances over the course of the second half of the2024–25 season and the start of the2025–26 season.[149] At the time, West Ham were 19th in the league having won one of their opening five league games.[150]Nuno Espírito Santo took charge of the team.[151]
Crest
Club crest (1987–1998)Club crest (1998–2016)
Thames Ironworks FC
The Thames Ironworks Team (1895–1900) used theUnion Flag as its badge.
Rivet Hammers
The principal element of the badge is the crossed pair ofrivet hammers, tools that were used in the shipbuilding industry. TheBlackwall andCanning Town neighbourhoods surrounding theThames Ironworks echoed to the sound of hammers;steam hammers, sledge hammers and rivet hammers.[152]
Seven large mechanical steam hammers would punch small holes near the edges of the iron plates which would be joined to build the ships. The plates would be put in place and fixed together with rivets by teams of five, three inside the emerging vessel and two outside.
Inside the ship one member of the team would heat the rivets till they were white hot and, usingIron Fingers (blacksmith'stongs), throw them to a second person, known as a "catch-boy" or "putter-in", who would pick the rivet up and place it the hole, also using tongs. The third person was known as the "holder-on" and he would then smash the rivet home with a sixteen-pound sledgehammer and then use his sledgehammer to hold the rivet in place while the men on the other side flattened the other end of the rivet.
Outside the ship, exposed to the elements, two men with rivet hammers – one right-handed, one left-handed – would hammer the protruding and still glowing rivet flat, so securing one of the many points necessary to link each of the ship's large plates.
The crossed hammers were also incorporated into the coat of arms of theCounty Borough of West Ham and those of its successor, the modernLondon Borough of Newham.[153] The Thames Ironworks lay partly within what is now the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. However, the blacksmith's tongs inthat Borough's coat of arms represent the local saint,Dunstan, the patron saint ofStepney and metalworkers,[154] rather than the Ironworks.
Tower
A yellow or white tower was added, intermittently, from the 1950s onwards.[155] The primary reason for this seems to be to representAnne Boleyn's Tower, the most notable feature ofGreen Street House, an originally Tudor group of buildings which stood next to theBoleyn Ground until demolished in 1955.Green Street House was also known asBoleyn Castle through an association withAnne Boleyn. The manor was reputedly one of the sites at whichHenry VIII courted his second queen, though there is no documentary evidence to support the tradition.[156]
There are a number of other factors which may have influenced the inclusion of the stylised castle feature, for instance:
to reflect the contribution made to the club by players ofOld Castle Swifts
The imposing towers, roofs and doorway of the Engineering Department of theThames Ironworks bore a strong resemblance[157] to the castle feature in earlier iterations of the badge.
The first verse of the club's anthem, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", begins "I'm dreaming dreams, I'm scheming schemes, I'm building castles high".
The adoption (in 1904) of Boleyn Castle FC[160] as the club's reserve side when they took over their grounds on the site.
Shield
A shield has been used in many iterations of the club badge, and the shape of the 2016 version matches the cross-section on the hull ofHMS Warrior, the most famous ship built by the Thames Ironworks.[161]
Iterations
The crest was redesigned and updated in the late 1990s, featuring a wider yellow castle with fewer cruciform "windows" along with the peaked roofs being removed; the tops of the towers had previously made the castle appear more akin toDisneyland's Sleeping Beauty's Castle than a functioning fortress. The designer also altered other details to give a more substantial feel to the iconography.[162]
When the club rebuilt the west stand of theBoleyn Ground (construction finished 2001–02) the "castle" from the redesigned badge was incorporated into the structure at the main entrance to the ground. A pair of towers were prominent features of the ground's appearance, both bearing large club badges.[163]
A new badge was introduced following the end of the2015–16 season, when the club moved into theOlympic Stadium.[164] It removes the Boleyn Castle due to the club moving away, leaving just the crossed hammers, which the club says is inspired by the crest before and during the career ofBobby Moore. The word "London" was introduced below to "establish the club firmly on the international stage", and the more minimalist approach is to give a "strong statement that is instantly West Ham United". The shape of the crest is that of thehull ofHMS Warrior, the firstironclad warship in theRoyal Navy, which was built byThames Ironworks.[165]
The club originally wore navy blue, the sporting colours of Harrow School and Oxford University (seeOxford blue), both of whichThames Ironworks chairmanArnold Hills had attended and represented.[166] However, the team used a variety of kits including the claret and sky blue house colours of Thames Ironworks, as well as sky blue or white kit.[167][168]
The Irons permanently adopted claret and blue for home colours in 1903.[169]
One story suggests thatThames Ironworks right-halfCharlie Dove received theAston Villa kit from William Belton, who was a professional sprinter of national repute, as well as being involved with the coaching at Thames Ironworks. Belton had been at a fair inBirmingham, close toVilla Park, the home ground of Aston Villa and was challenged to a race against four Villa players, who wagered money that one of them would win. Belton defeated them and, when they were unable to pay the bet, one of the Villa players who was responsible for washing the team's kit offered a complete team's "football kits" to Belton in payment. The Aston Villa player subsequently reported to his club that the kit was "missing".[170] This, however, is often disputed.[171]
Thames Ironworks, and later West Ham United, retained the claret yoke/blue sleeves design, but also continued to use their previously favoured colours for their away kits.
Terms and phrases
West Ham United does not have a club motto, but there are a number of well known inter-related phrases which capture the club’s culture and philosophy:
The West Ham Way: The 'West Ham Way' is an approach to football that is generally regarded as having developed from the innovative work of Ted Fenton, Malcom Allison (the club captain) and others in the 1950s. Though not precisely defined, it can be broadly described as emphasising developing good players and good men thorough the youth system, honesty, commitment, some aggression and a preference for creative attacking football.[172][173]
Academy of Football: The term generally applies to the youth system which became a central part of the clubs philosophy and identity in the era of Ted Fenton and Malcom Allison in the 1950s and 1960s. The term is also applied to the club as a whole, in particular it has been applied to the meetings of players that club captain Malcolm Allision would hold at Cassettari’s Café on Barking Road, a short distance from the Boleyn Ground. In these meetings players would exchange ideas on playing styles, formations and tactics, famously using pepperpots and other cafe paraphenalia as illustrative props.[174][175]
Moore than a Club: The term was coined in emulation of FC Barcelona, whose motto ‘More than a club’ describes how it sees itself as a family, a champion of the local community (partly through its club Foundation) and an expression of regional identity. It is also a play on words of the West Ham Academy’s most famous graduate, Bobby Moore.[176][177]
A Family Club: The club has long been described as a family club, and this has been described as meaning staff and supporters are part of the West Ham family. Historically, this has included an approach which has valued family values such loyalty, tradition and continuity, for instance in the appointment and retention of staff, such as board members, managers and coaches.[178]
Supporters, hooliganism and rivalries
Supporter Songs
I'm forever blowing bubbles,
Pretty bubbles in the air. They fly so high, nearly reach the sky, Then like my dreams they fade and die. Fortune's always hiding, I've looked everywhere ... I'm forever blowing bubbles,
pretty bubbles in the air.
— original lyrics to "Bubbles", from John Helliar[179]
The team's supporters are famous for their rendition of the chorus of their team's anthem, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" introduced to the club by former manager Charlie Paynter in the late 1920s. APears soap commercial featuring the curly haired child in theMillais' "Bubbles" was well known at the time. The child resembled a player, Billy J. "Bubbles" Murray, from local schoolboy team, Park School, where the headmaster was Cornelius Beal. Beal was known locally for his music and rhyme and wrote special words to the tune of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" whenever any player was having a good game.[180]
Beal was a friend of Paynter, while Murray was a West Ham trialist and played football at schoolboy level with a number of West Ham players such asJim Barrett. Through this contrivance of association the club's fans took it upon themselves to begin singing the popular music hall tune before home games, sometimes reinforced by the presence of a house band requested to play the refrain by Charlie Paynter.[179]
The1975 FA Cup version – which contains the original lyrics, and features vocals from the team's then-current players – is always played before home games, with the home crowd joining in and carrying the song on after the music stops at the verse line "Fortune's always hiding".[181] Bubbles was published as a waltz whereas during the game the crowd sing it incommon time.[181][182]
When the players come onto the pitch, and at other times of celebration, as the songI'm forever blowing bubbles is being sung, around 60 bubble machines produce copious bubbles that rise high into the stadium.[183]
Bow Bells are ringing, for the Claret and Blue, When the Hammers are scoring, and the South Bank are roaring, And the money is pouring, for the Claret and Blue, Claret and Blue, No relegation for the Claret and Blue, Just celebration for the Claret and Blue, One day we'll win a cup or two, or three,
Or four or more, for West Ham and the Claret and Blue.
Fans gained national attention after giving a torrid time toDavid Beckham in his first away match of 1998–99 the season after the England midfielder was sent off for a petulant foul onDiego Simeone.[191] 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 inSouth-East London, the heartland of West Ham's greatest rivalsMillwall. The West Ham fans did, however, boo Beckham's every touch of the ball during the game.[192]
West Ham fans display their rosettes, scarves and novelty hammers at anFA Cup match in 1933.
Hooliganism
The origins of West Ham's links withhooliganism starts in the 1960s with the establishment of TheMile End Mob (named after an area of the East End of London).[201] During the 1970s and 1980s (the main era for organised football-related violence), West Ham gained further notoriety for the levels of hooliganism in their fan base and antagonistic behaviour towards both their own and rival fans, and the police. During the 1970s in particular, rival groups of West Ham fans from neighbouring areas often did battle with each other at games, most often groups from the neighbouring districts ofBarking andDagenham.[202]
TheInter City Firm were one of the first "casuals", so called because they avoided police supervision by not wearing football-related clothing and travelled to away matches on regularInterCity trains, rather than on the cheap and more tightly policed "football special" charter trains. The group were an infamous West Ham-aligned gang. As the firm's moniker "inter city" suggests violent activities were not confined to local derbies – the hooligans were content to cause trouble at any game, though nearby teams often bore the brunt.[202]
West Ham have strong rivalries with several other clubs. Most of these are with other London clubs, especially withTottenham Hotspur in an East versus North London derby[205] and withChelsea in an East versus West London rivalry. The rivalry between West Ham and Tottenham has been fuelled by players such asMichael Carrick,Martin Peters,Paul Allen,Jermain Defoe andScott Parker leaving the Hammers to join Tottenham. The rivalry deepened with the appointment of former Hammers managerHarry Redknapp as Tottenham's manager.[206] Since the2006–07 Premier League season, West Ham have developed a strong rivalry withYorkshire clubSheffield United due to the dubious circumstances surrounding the transfer ofCarlos Tevez, who helped West Ham avoid relegation at Sheffield United's expense.[207][208]
The oldest and fiercestrivalry is withMillwall. The two sides are local rivals, having both been founded by employees of local companies, with players living in the same localities. The early history of both clubs are intertwined, with West Ham proving to be the more successful in a number of meetings between the two teams at the time, resulting in West Ham being promoted at the expense of Millwall. Millwall later declined to join the fledglingFootball League while West Ham went on to the top division and an FA Cup final. Later in the 1920s, the rivalry was intensified during strike action whichIsle of Dogs-based companies (i.e., Millwall fans) refused to support, breeding ill will between the two camps, the bitterness of this betrayal enduring for years. In 1972, a Millwall supporter died at New Cross station after falling out of a train during a fight with West Ham fans.[209]
The rivalry between West Ham and Millwall has involved considerable violence and is one of the most notorious within the world offootball hooliganism. The teams were drawn against each other in the second round of the2009–10 League Cup and met on 25 August 2009 at Upton Park. This was the first time in four years that the two clubs had played each other, and the first ever in the League Cup.Clashes between fans occurred outside the ground, resulting in violence erupting up to half a mile away from the stadium, with serious injuries, including the stabbing of a Millwall supporter, damage to property and several arrests reported by police. There were also several pitch invasions by West Ham supporters which brought a temporary halt to the game.[210] In January 2010, West Ham were fined after being found guilty of violent, threatening, obscene and provocative behaviour and of failing to prevent their fans entering the field of play. Millwall were cleared of all charges.[211]
Nicknames
The team and supporters are known as The Hammers, in part because of the club's origins as Thames Ironworks.[212] They are also known as The Irons.[212]
West Ham moved into theOlympic Stadium in 2016.Panorama of the interior of the London StadiumWest Ham andDomžale enter the pitch for first ever football game atLondon Stadium.
Until 2016, West Ham were based at theBoleyn Ground, commonly known as Upton Park, inNewham, East London. The capacity of the Boleyn Ground was 35,016,[213] and had been West Ham's ground since 1904. Prior to this, in their previous incarnation ofThames Ironworks, they played atHermit Road inCanning Town and briefly atBrowning Road inEast Ham, before moving to theMemorial Grounds inPlaistow in 1897. They retained the stadium during their transition to becoming West Ham United and were there for a further four seasons before moving to the Boleyn Ground in 1904.
Former chairmanEggert Magnússon made clear his ambition for West Ham to move to theOlympic Stadium after the2012 Summer Olympics, a desire reiterated by current chairmen Gold and Sullivan when they assumed control of the club stating that they felt it was a logical move for the government as it was in the borough of Newham.
In February 2010, however, the British Olympic Minister stated that West Ham would not get the stadium, and it would instead be used for track and field.[214] On 17 May 2010, West Ham andNewham London Borough Council submitted a formal plan to the Olympic Park Legacy Company for the use of the Olympic Stadium following the2012 Summer Olympics. The proposal was for a stadium with a capacity of 60,000 which would retain a competition athletics track. The proposal was welcomed by the chairman of UK athletics, Ed Warner, who said, "I think it will feel great as a football stadium and I speak as a football fan as well the chairman of UK Athletics. I think you'd find West Ham would cover the track in the winter season so it wouldn't look like you had a track between you and the pitch."[215][216]
On 30 September 2010, the club formally submitted its bid for the Olympic Stadium with a presentation at10 Downing Street,[217] and on 8 October 2010 the world's largest live entertainment company,Live Nation, endorsed the club's Olympic Stadium plans.[218] Three days after Live Nation's backing,UK Athletics confirmed its formal support for West Ham United and Newham Council in their joint bid to take over the Olympic Stadium in legacy mode.[219] In November 2010, West Ham began a search for potential developers for "informal discussions" about what would happen to the ground if it were to win its bid to take over the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games. According to the club, the site could be vacated and open to redevelopment by summer 2014.[220] On 11 February 2011, the Olympic Park Legacy Committee selected West Ham as the preferred club to move into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.[221][222]
The decision in favour of West Ham's bid was unanimous,[223] although controversial as local Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur had also been bidding for the venue.[224] Hopes of moving to the stadium, however, were since placed under doubt following a legal challenge by Tottenham andLeyton Orient, with Leyton Orient – a perennial (since 1980)tier 3 totier 5 club – fearful that having West Ham playing less than a mile away from theirBrisbane Road ground could steal support from the club and put them out of business.[225] Both clubs' appeals for a judicial review, however, were rejected on 23 June 2011.[226] On 3 March 2011, West Ham's proposed move to the Olympic Stadium was formally approved by the British government and then-Mayor of LondonBoris Johnson.
On 8 June 2011, it was confirmed that theWestfield Shopping Centre had been in detailed talks with West Ham for naming rights of the new Olympic stadium which could be called the Westfield Stadium.[227] West Ham announced plans to move from the Boleyn Ground from the 2014–15 season.[228] In August 2011, an independent investigation initiated by the Olympic Park Legacy Company upheld the decision to award West Ham the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.[229] On 29 June 2011, however, Tottenham announced that they were returning to the High Court again to fight the decision to award West Ham the stadium, in an oral hearing, to try to overturn the original High Court appeal being rejected.[230] On 25 August 2011, Tottenham and Leyton Orient were in fact granted a judicial review by the High Court into the Olympic Stadium bidding process.[231] On 11 October 2011, the deal to award West Ham the Olympic Stadium collapsed over concerns of legal pressure, with the government deciding that the stadium will stay in public ownership.[232] Six days later, Tottenham and Leyton Orient announced they had ended their legal challenge after the deal collapsed.[233]
Once the original deal collapsed, a new process to select a tenant was begun. West Ham immediately announced plans to become tenants of the stadium.[234] By March 2012, West Ham was one of the four bidders for the stadium. With a decision due by the Olympic Park Legacy Company in May 2012, Mayor of London Boris Johnson delayed the final selection of future tenants until completion of the 2012 Summer Olympics, stating that it was "overwhelmingly likely" that the tenants would be West Ham.[235][236]
It was announced on 22 March 2013 that West Ham had signed a 99-year lease for the Olympic Stadium after the government agreed to put in an extra £1 million towards the costs of converting the site. The club's plan was to move into the stadium prior to the start of the2016–17 season.[237] Supporters of rival clubs had pressed for an inquiry into the granting of West Ham's tenancy, arguing that West Ham were being given an unfair advantage by the arrangement. In September 2015, however, the government rejected holding such an inquiry.[238]
The club promotes the popular idea of West Ham being "The Academy of Football", with the moniker adorning the ground's new stadium façade. The comment predominantly refers to the club's youth development system which was established by managerTed Fenton during the 1950s, that has seen a number of international players emerge through the ranks.[239] Most notably, the club contributed three players to theWorld Cup-winningEngland side of 1966, including club iconBobby Moore, as well asMartin Peters andGeoff Hurst who between them scored all of England's goals in the eventual 4–2 victory. Other academy players that have gone on to play for England have includedTrevor Brooking,Alvin Martin,Tony Cottee,Paul Ince, andDeclan Rice.
Since the late 1990s,Rio Ferdinand,Frank Lampard,Joe Cole,Michael Carrick andGlen Johnson began their careers at West Ham and all went on to play for other clubs. Most recently, the likes of first teamersMark Noble andJames Tomkins, as well as Welsh internationalJack Collison, have emerged through the Academy. Frustratingly for fans and managers alike,[240] the club has struggled to retain many of these players due to (predominantly) financial reasons.[241] West Ham, during the 2007–08 season, had an average of 6.61 English players in the starting line up, higher than any other Premier League club,[242] which cemented their status as one of the few Premier League clubs left that were recognised to be bringing through young English talent and were recognised as having "homegrown players". Between 2000 and 2011, the club produced eight England players, as many as Manchester United and one fewer than Arsenal.[243] Much of the success of the academy has been attributed toTony Carr, who was West Ham youth coach between 1973 and 2014.[244]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
In the 2003 bookThe Official West Ham United Dream Team, 500 fans were quizzed for who would be in their all time Hammers Eleven. The voting was restricted to players from the modern era.
The following is a list of recipients of the 'Hammer of the Year' award.[249] The first award, to Andy Malcolm in1957–58, was nominated by a journalist atThe Stratford Express. Subsequent recipients would be awarded the title after a vote by supporters.[250] Trevor Brooking was the first player for West Ham United to have been honoured with the title of Hammer of the Year three times in a row in 1976, 1977 and 1978. Scott Parker repeated this feat between 2009 and 2011.[251] Brooking has won the award the most times, on five occasions: 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978 and 1984. Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds and Julian Dicks have each won it four times.
Bobby Moore has been runner-up four times, while Billy Bonds and Tony Cottee have both been runners-up three times.
Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking's wins are notable in the amount of time between first and last Hammer of the Year award. Bonds has 16 years separating his wins whilst Brooking has 12.
In 2013, West Ham United introduced a new annual award, the West Ham United Lifetime Achievement Award.
The first award was presented to club-record appearance makerBilly Bonds, who picked up the award on the pitch at Upton Park before kick-off againstCardiff City on the opening day of the2013–14 season.[252]
The 2014 award was presented to SirTrevor Brooking, a record five-time winner of the Hammer of the Year award. Brooking received the award before the2014–15 season curtain-raiser against Tottenham Hotspur on 16 August 2014.[253] Brooking had already had the Centenary Stand at the Boleyn ground named after him in 2009.
On 3 May 2016, it was announced via the club's official website that the fourth recipient of the award would be SirGeoff Hurst, the club's second all-time leading goalscorer, and scorer of a hat-trick in the 1966World Cup Final. Hurst would be honoured at the club's 2015/16 Player Awards Ceremony.[255]Ken Brown became the sixth recipient of the award, in April 2018.[256] The 2019 honour was awarded tomidfielderRonnie Boyce who made his debut for West Ham in 1960.[257]
In honour ofMark Noble, who was also the award winner in 2004, and had been serving the club since 2000 and retired in 2022, the Young Hammer of the Year award was renamed to Mark Noble Young Hammer of the Year Award on 9 May 2022.[258]
UEFA Europa Conference League winners 2023. Highest win percentage of club's permanent managers. Highest Premier League win percentage of club's Premier League era managers.
In January 2010,David Sullivan andDavid Gold acquired a 50% share in West Ham, given them overall operational and commercial control.[263] At the end of May 2010, Gold and Sullivan purchased a further 10% stake in the club at a cost of £8 million. Taking their controlling stake to 60%, they announced that they could open up shares for fans to purchase.[264] On 9 August 2010, Gold and Sullivan increased their shares up to 30.6% each with "minority investors", (which included former owner Terry Brown, purchasing a further 3.8% of the club at a cost of around −4 million) leaving IcelandicStraumur Investment Bank owning 35% of the club.[265]
On 2 July 2013, Sullivan acquired a further 25% of shares after restructuring the debt of the club, leaving Straumur Bank with just 10%.[266] In order to clear club debts before a move to the Olympic Stadium in 2016, in December 2014 Sullivan announced the availability for sale of 20% of the club.[267] The clearing of club debts, given in July 2013 as £70 million, was given as a pre-condition to a move to the Olympic Stadium.[268]
In September 2017, American billionaireJ. Albert "Tripp" Smith, senior management director ofBlackstone Inc., bought 10% of the shares of the club.[269] On 10 November 2021, the club announced Czech billionaireDaniel Křetínský had acquired 27% of the shares of the club, reducing Gold and Sullivan's shares.[270]
Co-chairman David Gold died on 4 January 2023, leaving Sullivan as the sole chairman.[271] Seven months later, Gold's daughterVanessa became joint-chair with Sullivan.[272]
In theBritishsitcomTill Death Us Do Part and its follow-on and spin-off seriesTill Death... andIn Sickness and in Health the characterAlf Garnett's biggest passion in life was his localfootball team West Ham United and featured throughout the run of the show. There were a number of episodes that focused on Alfs support of West Ham such as Season 4's Episode 5 "Up The Hammers", and in particular his idolising of club heroes such as Bobby Moore and Martin Peters who both feature in the same episode.[287]
The 2022 action filmBullet Train features two British assassins – Tangerine and Lemon – who are diehard West Ham United fans. The film features several renditions of the club's theme song, including one featuringEngelbert Humperdinck as the singer.[288]
^Korr, Charles. (1986).West Ham United the making of a football club. Duckwoth. p. 148.ISBN0-7156-2126-2..{{cite book}}:Check|isbn= value: invalid character (help)
^The London Encyclopaedia, 1983, by Weinreb and Hibbert. The Encyclopaedia describes how the creation of the Tower Division, aka Tower Hamlets, made East London a distinct military unit
^"Up the Hammers" The West Ham Battalion in the Great War 1914–1918, by Elliot Taylor andBarney Alston.
^Korr, Charles. (1986).West Ham United the making of a football club. Duckwoth. p. 2.ISBN0-7156-2126-2..{{cite book}}:Check|isbn= value: invalid character (help)
^Korr, Charles. (1986).West Ham United the making of a football club. Duckwoth. p. 105, 107, 220.ISBN0-7156-2126-2..{{cite book}}:Check|isbn= value: invalid character (help)
^Korr, Charles. (1986).West Ham United the making of a football club. Duckwoth. p. 28, 42, 100.ISBN0-7156-2126-2..{{cite book}}:Check|isbn= value: invalid character (help)
