Do you want to know how West Ham United was formed? How is West Ham United doing in the Premier League? Who are the world-class treasure players at West Ham United? Who are some of the best players in the West Ham United’s current squad? This article will tell you everything.
Brief History of West Ham United
The Start
West Ham United is a professional football club located in Stratford, East London, England. The club mainly competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.
West Ham Unitedstarted as a team made up of shipbuilders. They were known as Thames Ironworks Football Club. Until 1985, they played amateur matches. In 1898, they joined the Southern League Division Two and became a professional team, aiming to move up to the First Division. Due to management and financial issues, Thames Ironworks FC dissolved in June 1900 and changed its name to West Ham United.
In the 1901 season, West Ham joined the Western League while still competing in the Southern League First Division.
Under manager Syd King, West Ham successfully moved up to the English Football League Second Division in 1919, , playing their first match against Lincoln City, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
And, in 1923, West Ham United was promoted to the First Division and reached the FA Cup final at the old Wembley Stadium for the first time.
A Golden Era
West Ham enjoyed a golden era from the 1960s to the 1980s. During this time, they won the FA Cup in 1964 and the European Cup Winners’ Cup. Players from West Ham, like Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, played key roles in England’s 1966 World Cup victory, with Hurst scoring a famous hat trick in the final.
In 1993, the Premier League was formed, and West Ham United was one of the first teams to join. They had a relatively stable performance in the league, especially in the 1990s and early 2000s. West Ham reached the FA Cup finals in 1999 and 2006 but did not win.
In recent years, West Ham United has been improving, especially under manager David Moyes. The team has shown strong competition, often finishing high in the league. In the 2020-21 season, they finished sixth in the Premier League, securing a place in European competitions. These achievements mark West Ham‘s ongoing progress in Premier League history.
West Ham United’s Club Records and Achievements
West Ham has won five major honors in its history. Domestically, the club has won the FA Cup three times (1964, 1975, and 1980) and was a runner-up twice (1923 and 2006).
Besides, in European competitions, West Ham United reached the finals of major tournaments three times. They won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and were runners-up in 1976. In 2023, they won the UEFA Europa Conference League. They also won the Intertoto Cup in 1999.
West Ham is one of the eight clubs that have never been relegated below the second tier of English football. Before the 2023-24 season, they spent 66 of their 98 league seasons in the top flight. The club’s highest league finish was third place in the 1985-86 season.
West Ham’s Standing
West Ham United‘s highest Premier League finish is fifth, achieved in the 1998/99 season. Last season, they finished ninth with 52 points. However, this season has been inconsistent, and they currently sit in 13th place. They have won 3, lost 4, and drawn 2 of their 9 matches.
Despite their historic successes, recent performances have left fans worried. Manager David Moyes is working to find the best lineup, though injuries and form fluctuations have affected the team. West Ham United aims to return to the top of the league and compete for European spots. As the season progresses, they need to adjust their tactics and improve stability to secure a better position in the competition.
West Ham United Current Squad
Goalkeepers
Name |
POS |
---|---|
Lukasz Fabianski 1 |
G |
Wes Foderingham 21 |
G |
Alphonse Areola 23 |
G |
Outfield players
Name |
POS |
---|---|
Aaron Cresswell 3 |
D |
Vladimír Coufal 5 |
D |
Konstantinos Mavropanos 15 |
D |
Jean-Clair Todibo 25 |
D |
Max Kilman 26 |
D |
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 29 |
D |
Emerson 33 |
D |
Kaelan Casey 42 |
D |
Carlos Soler 4 |
M |
Lucas Paquetá 10 |
M |
Mohammed Kudus 14 |
M |
Edson Álvarez 19 |
M |
Guido Rodríguez 24 |
M |
Tomás Soucek 28 |
M |
Andrew Irving 39 |
M |
Crysencio Summerville 7 |
F |
Michail Antonio 9 |
F |
Niclas Füllkrug 11 |
F |
Luis Guilherme 17 |
F |
Danny Ings 18 |
F |
Jarrod Bowen 20 |
F |
West Ham United has a strong squad with talented players who work well together. Jarrod Bowen is the current captain and the team’s top scorer. Last season, he scored 16 goals, making him the highest scorer in the team. Mohammed Kudus followed with 8 goals, but Bowen’s total is almost double that of Kudus.
Bowen also had the second most assists last season, with 6, just one less than the top assist providers, James Ward-Prowse and Vladimír Coufal.
Top players of West Ham All the Time
Bobby Moore
When asked who the greatest West Ham United player is, everyone thinks of Bobby Moore. He captained the team for ten years and led England to victory in the 1966 World Cup. During the 1970 World Cup, he had the tough task of marking Brazil’s star player, Pelé. Even though England lost the match, Moore’s performance was remarkable. His tackle on Jairzinho in that game is still praised as one of the best tackles in football history.
Bobby Moore was not just a great player; he was also a true gentleman off the field. He is a role model for all young players.
Trevor Brooking
Sir Trevor Brooking had a brilliant career with West Ham United. During his 17 years at the club, he played 636 matches and scored 103 goals. He also coached the team twice and still helps manage it behind the scenes.
A stand at Upton Park is named after Brooking, showing his importance to the club. He was one of the smartest players of his time and had a great disciplinary record. Brooking followed in Moore’s footsteps and embodied West Ham’s commitment to attractive and entertaining football.
Paolo Di Canio
Similarly, Paolo Di Canio is known as one of the best players in West Ham United‘s history. Although he only played for four seasons, he made a lasting impression on fans.
In the 1999-00 season, Di Canio scored 16 goals in 30 league matches, averaging more than one goal per game. His popularity came not just from his scoring but also from his personality. He was lively and entertaining.
One of his most famous goals came against Wimbledon, showcasing his talent. Many fans consider it one of the greatest goals in Premier League history.
West Ham United Latest News
Recently, West Ham defeated Manchester United in the ninth round of the Premier League, moving them up to 13th place in the standings.