History of West Ham United FC
The Legacy of a historic club
The origins of the three-time FA Cup winner can be traced back to 1895. What started as a subset of one of the most prominent companies in London, Thames Ironworks, became a household name in English football throughout several seasons. After intensive training and large crowds, Thames Ironworks FC had a successful first season in amateur football for 1895/96.
Two years later, they became professional and began singing with players across the country. Winning the southern league in their debut year, Thames Ironworks had already caught the eyes of London football fans. In 1900, after a reorganization and new financial arrangements, the club opened itself to the fans for financing it. It resigned from the southern league and became a new club, the one we have all heard of. West Ham United. From Billy Bonds to Declan Rice, the club has come a long way.
Ownership of West Ham United
What was the ownership deal which transformed the club?
The Welsh businessman and former owner of the Sunday sport and daily sport, David Sullivan owns a staggering 38.8% of the club which he jointly enjoyed with his famous business partner, David Gold until his death on 4 January 2023. They acquired the club in 2010 from CB holding getting 50 % of the stakes and overall commercial and working control however, following their promises, 20% of the club was opened up to fans in 2014.
In a defining move, the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky completed the acquisition of 27% of shares in November 2021 which reduced the control of David partners.
There are also other minority owners controlling the club, which include J. Albert Smith, the co-founder of GSO capital partners, an American-based investment management company under the Blackstone group. This has been a rather controversial takeover since it exemplifies increasing American control in European football. United States-based businesses already have control over several prominent clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, etc.
Stadium – London Stadium
What was the story behind their famous stadium shift?
The history of West Ham United’s London Stadium is almost as interesting as its specifics. For almost a century time, the home stadium of the East London club was Boleyn Ground famously called Upton Park. From 1904 to 2016 the Park seated nearly 35,000 fans and was the home of Charlton Athletic in the 1990s during the time of their financial problems.
In 2006, the talk caught the air that West Ham would move to the new Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Summer Olympics London was complete. However, there were speculations as the Olympic Committee announced a reduction in seating capacity and keeping its running track after the games. The club finally obtained permission in 2009 to extend its east stand and bring the capacity to 40,000. Finally, after months of voting and discussions, West Ham was favored to win the Olympic Stadium proposal on March 22, 2013. A 99-year lease was made available to West Ham, who wanted to move there in time for the 2016–17 campaign.
The London Stadium:-
The Olympic arena
The London Stadium was originally formed to host the Summer Olympic games 2012 hence it is a multi-purpose arena capable of hosting a variety of sports. After the games, a new East Stand was constructed and eventually named after club legend Billy Bonds. It has a closed yet open appearance much like muscles surrounding a body. It is a rather symmetrical piece of architecture in a circular shape, unlike the usual rectangular shape of London stadiums.
Capacity:- 66,000
The Bobby Moore Stand:- It is located behind one of the goals and frequently holds the club’s loudest fans.
Sir Trevor Brooking Stand:- The South-West part of the Sir Trevor Brooking Stand, which lies behind the opposing goal, is where the away supporters are seated.
East Stand/Billy Bonds Stand:- In honor of the person who played for and managed the club for 27 years, the East Stand, which is located next to the field, was renamed the Billy Bonds stand in 2019.
FanBase of West Ham United FC
Who are the Hammers?
The fan base of West Ham calls themselves the Hammers. They compass over 700,000 supporters and millions of likes on social media. Most of them are local supporters, however, their fanbases are spread as far as New York, Serbia, and New Zealand. The hammers witness several rivalries and derbies and have seen several hooligan elements on the pitch. Millwall F.C., the most notable rival of the club has a history of over 100 years of enmity.
West Ham United Chants:-
What made the upton park shiver?
The Hammers are one of the loudest and most passionate supporters of England, their chants, much like their name is potent.
Here are some of the most commonly heard lyrics in the London Stadium:-
#1 I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles:-
“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.Fortunes always hiding,
I’ve look everywhere.
I’m forever blowing bubbles,
pretty bubbles in the air.”
#2 We All Follow The West Ham:–
“We all follow the West Ham,
over land and sea.We all follow the West Ham,
on to victory (all together now)!”
#3 Twist and Shout:–
“Well, shake it up, baby, now (Shake it up, baby),
Twist and shout (Twist and shout),
C’mon C’mon, C’mon, C’mon, baby, now (Come on baby),
Come on and work it on out (Work it on out).Well, work it on out, honey (Work it on out),
You know you look so good (Look so good),
You know you got me goin’, now (Got me goin’),
Just like I knew you would (Like I knew you would)”
#4 We’ve Got Payet:–
“We’ve got Payet, Dimitri Payet;
I just don’t think you understand.He’s super Slaven’s man,
he’s better than Zidane,
we’ve got Dimitri Payet!”Ain’t Nobody, Like Lanzini –
“Ain’t Nobody, like Lanzini.
Makes me happy, plays the West Ham way!”
Who has been the most successful manager at West Ham United?
Who was architect of West Ham’s FA Cup?
John Lyall
During his exceptional 15-year reign as manager of West Ham United from 1974 to 1989, John Lyall rose to the position of the club’s most successful manager.
Just a year after his appointment, Lyall won the FA cup by defeating Fulham in a 2 – 0 victory. Following that, west ham was crowned the runners-up of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. In 1978, after a season of relegation, Lyall made many signings to rebuild their team and picked up homegrown players like Trevor Brooking.
Jumping back up, the Hammers made it to the FA cup finals yet again and Brooking’s goal proved to be the point of difference in a 1 – 0 victory over the favorites, Arsenal. The next year, 1980/81, West Ham under Lyall easily won Division Two and advanced to the League Cup final. Where they got edged out by Liverpool.
In the 1985/86 season the club finished a record third place in the premier league with 17-year-old Tony Cottee and Scotland international Frank McAvennie firing goals with the support of Parkes, Stewart, Devonshire, and center-back Alvin Martin it would not be wrong to say that Lyall had constructed a top-notch West Ham team.
Sadly, West Ham was unable to capitalize on their exceptional season and was relegated after the 1988–1989 campaign. Lyall left that summer after 34 years of exceptional performance and loyalty.
Which are the top 5 Seasons of West Ham United FC?
#1 2015/16 season – 7th place
Manager – Slaven Bilic
The club qualified for a Europa League Playoff in their final season at Upton Park. Credits to the likes of Dimitri Payet and Mark Noble to make it a legacy season for the Hammers.
#2 1972/73 season – 6th place
Manager – Ron Greenwood
A team concentrated on club legends with the likes of Bobby Moore, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard Sr, Trevor Brooking, Clyde Best, and Pop Robson stood out as one of the best teams the club has ever had.
#3 2020/21 season – 6th Place
Manager – David Moyes
The success season, which came during a pandemic-hit season, was astounding for a team that had been fighting for survival the year prior. The team finished just 2 points shy of the top 4.
#4 1998/99 season – 5th Place
Manager – Harry Redknapp
Once again, a team of club legends showed why they have the legacy they have. This club, which was loaded with talented youngsters, played smooth, inventive football lighting up the Boleyn field.
#5 1985/86 season – 3rd place
Manager – John Lyall
126 years of legacy this year outstands all. The team would have qualified for UEFA cup had english cups not been banned. With only a few games remaining, the squad scored 74 goals and was on track to fight for the championship, but eventually fell four points short of taking it home.
The Most Historic Win of West Ham United FC:
A legacy victory which shook the Wembly
Legendary 1 – 0 Victory over Aresnal in the 1980 FA cup final.
This was Aresenal’s third FA cup final in row and they were unsurprisingly the favourites. Not only was Aresenal a top notch of the first division but also West Ham were second division underdogs who were just trying hard enough to make it to the first. Moreover, it was a big surprise that West Ham made this far in the first place.
Having most of the possession and a huge chunk of ball control, the gunners were unable to get the ball past a walled defence of Billy Bonds and Alvin Martin as centre backs. The deadlock broke on the 12th minute and remained that way for the rest of the game when Trevor Brooking reacted to shot which went across the mouth of the goal.
West Ham almost sealed it when Paul Allen was one on one with Pat Jennings with two minutes remaining on the clock, Willie Young tackled him just outside the box and earned himself a yellow card. The final whistle blew and the Wembly Hammers sung I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles while their team lifts their last major trophy to the day.
