Legends

The West Ham legends list is a long one, a club with a rich history of iconic players over the years.

A club of their stature is bound to attract some of the world’s best players, but a few stand out that have deemed themselves worthy of being referred to as Hammers ‘legends’.

Here are 10 legends who have featured for West Ham United Football Club throughout their rich history.

Bobby Moore

Bobby Moore is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his time at West Ham United played a significant role in shaping his legendary career.

Moore joined the club as a youth player in 1956 and made his first-team debut two years later. He quickly established himself as a talented defender, and by the early 1960s, he was a regular in the West Ham starting lineup.

Under the guidance of manager Ron Greenwood, Moore flourished at West Ham, developing into one of the best defenders in the game.

He was a calm and composed presence on the pitch, with exceptional tackling skills and an ability to read the game that made him a formidable opponent for any striker.

Moore’s greatest achievement at West Ham came in 1964 when he captained the team to victory in the FA Cup final. It was the first major trophy in the club’s history, and Moore’s leadership and defensive prowess were crucial in securing the win.

Moore remained at West Ham for another decade, making over 500 appearances for the club and earning a reputation as a true club legend. He was admired not only for his footballing abilities but also for his sportsmanship and humility.

After leaving West Ham in 1974, Moore had brief spells at Fulham, San Antonio Thunder, and later, Seattle Sounders. He retired from playing in 1978, having won 108 caps for England and led the national team to World Cup glory in 1966.

Trevor Brooking

Trevor Brooking is one of West Ham United’s greatest-ever players, having spent his entire career at the club from 1967 to 1984. He was a creative midfielder known for his technical ability, vision, and intelligence on the pitch.

Brooking made his debut for West Ham in 1967 and quickly established himself as a key player in the team. He was a regular in the side that won the FA Cup in 1975 and again in 1980, scoring in both finals.

He was also a member of the England team that reached the quarter-finals of the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

Brooking was named West Ham’s Player of the Year four times and was voted the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year in 1978. He retired from playing in 1984 and immediately joined the coaching staff at West Ham.

After several years as a coach and assistant manager, Brooking was appointed as West Ham’s caretaker manager in 2003 following the departure of Glenn Roeder. He led the team to a victory in the final game of the season that secured their Premier League survival.

In addition to his playing and coaching career, Brooking has also held several administrative roles at the club, including Director of Football Development and Vice-Chairman. He is widely regarded as a West Ham legend and a true gentleman of the game.

Billy Bonds

Billy Bonds is a West Ham icon, having spent his entire professional career at the club. He joined the Hammers as a teenager in 1967 and quickly established himself as a versatile and hard-working player who could play in defence or midfield.

Bonds was known for his tough tackling and his ability to read the game, and he quickly became a fan favourite at Upton Park.

He played a key role in West Ham’s FA Cup triumph in 1975, scoring in the final against Fulham to help the Hammers lift the trophy for the third time in their history.

Bonds went on to make over 800 appearances for West Ham, a club record that still stands today. He was also named West Ham’s Player of the Year four times and was voted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

After retiring as a player, Bonds went on to become a successful manager, taking charge of West Ham on two separate occasions. He led the team to promotion from the Second Division in 1991 and also managed the club during a difficult period in the late 1990s.

Geoff Hurst

Geoff Hurst is one of the most iconic players in the history of West Ham United and in English football history.

He played for the club from 1959 to 1972 and scored an incredible 242 goals in 500 appearances, making him the club’s second-highest scorer of all time.

Hurst was a prolific striker and was instrumental in helping West Ham win the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965 and the FA Cup in 1964 and 1975.

He is perhaps best known for his hat trick in the 1966 World Cup final, where he helped England defeat West Germany 4-2 to win the trophy for the first time in their history.

Hurst was a key player for West Ham during the 1960s, and his goalscoring prowess helped the club establish itself as a major force in English football. He was also known for his physical strength, aerial ability, and his tireless work rate on the pitch.

After leaving West Ham in 1972, Hurst went on to play for several other clubs, including Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion. He also had a successful career in management, leading Chelsea to victory in the 1994 FA Cup final.

However, it is his time at West Ham United that remains the most memorable part of his career, and he is still regarded as one of the greatest players ever to wear the claret and blue shirt.

Alan Devonshire

Alan Devonshire was a midfielder who played for West Ham United for 14 years between 1976 and 1990. He was a skilful player with excellent dribbling skills and precise passing, and he was an integral part of the West Ham team during the 1980s.

Devonshire made a total of 358 appearances for West Ham and scored 32 goals in all competitions. He played under several different managers during his time at the club, including John Lyall, Lou Macari, and Billy Bonds.

Devonshire was part of the West Ham team that won the FA Cup in 1980 and reached the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1981. He was known for his tireless work ethic and his ability to create chances for his teammates.

After leaving West Ham in 1990, Devonshire went on to play for several other clubs, including Watford and Maidenhead United. He also had a successful career as a manager, leading Maidenhead United to promotion to the National League South in 2017.

Despite this, his time at West Ham remains one of the highlights of his career, and he is remembered as one of the club’s most talented and hardworking players.

Julian Dicks

Julian Dicks is considered a true West Ham legend. He joined the club in 1988 and quickly established himself as a tough-tackling left-back with a powerful left foot. Dicks’ physical presence and ability to score goals made him a fan favourite at Upton Park.

Dicks was an integral part of the West Ham team that won promotion to the top flight in 1991, and he continued to be a key player for the club over the next few years.

He left West Ham in 1993 to join Liverpool but returned to the club the following year after a brief and unsuccessful stint at Anfield.

During his second spell at West Ham, Dicks helped the team reach the 1999 Intertoto Cup final, where they beat French side FC Metz in a dramatic 3-1 comeback. He left the club at the end of that season to join Charlton Athletic.

Overall, Julian Dicks played 171 games for West Ham United, scoring 27 goals, and he remains a popular figure among the club’s fans to this day.

Paolo Di Canio

Paolo Di Canio was an Italian forward who played for West Ham United between 1999 and 2003. He was a fan favourite due to his technical ability, passion, and eccentric personality which quickly made him a West Ham legend.

Di Canio’s time at West Ham was characterised by some memorable moments. He scored some spectacular goals, including a famous scissor kick against Wimbledon in 2000 that was voted as the Premier League‘s Goal of the Season.

He also famously caught the ball and stopped play during a match against Everton in 2001, after he saw that the opposing goalkeeper was injured.

However, Di Canio was also involved in some controversial incidents during his time at West Ham. In 2000, he was sent off for pushing referee Paul Alcock to the ground, after he was shown a red card for a challenge on Arsenal’s Martin Keown.

He also caused controversy in 2005 when he gave a fascist salute to Lazio fans during his time as manager of the club. Despite the controversies, Di Canio remains a cult hero among West Ham fans for his skill, flair, and passion.

Alvin Martin

Alvin Martin played for West Ham United for a monumental 21 years. He joined the club in 1978 and quickly established himself as a key player in the team, known for his toughness and aerial ability.

Martin was part of the West Ham team that won the FA Cup in 1980 and played a total of 596 games for the club, scoring 34 goals.

He played under several managers during his time at West Ham, including John Lyall, Lou Macari, Billy Bonds, and Harry Redknapp.

Martin was a versatile player who could play in defence or midfield and was known for his astute leadership skills. He captained West Ham on many occasions and was highly respected by his teammates and fans.

After leaving West Ham in 1996, Martin had brief spells at several other clubs before retiring from professional football in 1998. Today, he is a football pundit and commentator and remains a legend at West Ham United.

Mark Noble

Mark Noble is a footballer who has spent his entire professional career at West Ham United, joining the club at the age of 11 and progressing through the youth academy. He made his first team debut in 2004 and quickly became a regular in the side, known for his work rate, passing ability, and leadership on the pitch.

Over the years, Noble has been an important player for West Ham, playing in a variety of midfield roles and captaining the team for many seasons.

He has been involved in some memorable moments, including scoring crucial goals, making important tackles, and leading the team to victory in key matches.

Noble has also been recognized for his contributions off the pitch, winning the West Ham United Player of the Year award in 2012 and being named the club’s captain in 2015.

Despite some ups and downs over the years, including relegation battles and changes of manager, Noble has remained a loyal and committed player for West Ham and is widely respected by fans, teammates, and opponents alike.

Frank Lampard, Sr

Frank Lampard Sr. was a left-back who played for West Ham United for 17 years, from 1967 to 1985. He was an important player for the team during this period, making over 600 appearances at the club.

Lampard was known for his strong defensive abilities and his work rate, and he was a key part of the West Ham team that won the FA Cup in 1975.

Lampard was also a versatile player who could play in a number of different positions, including left-back, centre-back, and defensive midfield.

He was known for his tough tackling and his ability to read the game, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.

Overall, Lampard had a successful career at West Ham, and he is remembered as one of the club’s greatest-ever players. After retiring from playing, he went on to have a successful career as a coach, working at a number of different clubs in England.