John Moncur 1994 – 2003
Signed from Swindon Town in 1994, Moncur was an exciting signing at the time as he starred in the Robins Premier League campaign in 1993-94 and he soon won a place in the hearts of the West Ham fans for his displays from the centre of midfield.
Moncur was a classy creative centre midfielder who had a real grit and determination this combination was always going to lead to him becoming a firm favourite with fans and players alike.
Moncur also had a reputation as a practical joker in the club one of his party pieces being to regularly join training runs around the
Chadwell Heath training ground wearing only his socks and boots much the amusement of his teammates and this led to him gaining the nickname “the maggot” the less said about that the better!
Moncur played over 150 games for the club and helped establish West Ham in the Premier League between the mid-90’s to relegation in 2003.
He retired in 2003 and is now a devout Christian which has helped him overcome issues with anger both on and off the pitch, he is part of the Skillequal Ltd Football agency where he acts as a mentor to younger players and their parents.
Both John’s sons play professionally for Barnsley and Leyton Orient respectively.
Ian Bishop 1989-1998
Bishop began his career with Everton and came to West Ham via Carlisle, Crewe, Bournemouth and Manchester City.
Bishop was a classy midfield playmaker who could pick a pass was the very definition of a West Ham style player. A huge crowd favourite for his playing style and his engaging personality away from the pitch Bishop played over 250 games for the club starring in the promotion teams of the early 90’s and the Cup run to the semi-final of the FA Cup in 1991.
Bishop left the club in 1998 and joined his former club Manchester City who were subsequently relegated to the 3rd tier of English football. Bishop was an integral part of leading the club back up the football league and into the Premier League, but the club only lasted one season in the Premier League before being relegated once more.
Now in the twilight of his career Bishop sought opportunities in the US with Miami Fusion and New Orleans Shell Shockers.
Bishop hung up his boots in 2004 and remained in the game in the US and is currently the Technical Director for Evergreen FC in Virginia. Bishop is still a regular visitor to West Ham and is always guaranteed a warm welcome
Trevor Morley 1989-1995
Morley was signed on the same day as Ian Bishop from Manchester City in 1989 and went on to become a prolific goal scorer with the club during the early 90’s.
Morley’s career began in the Non- league and he came to West Ham via Northampton and Manchester City he always scored goals in every team he played for at every level he played at.
A strong bustling player with an eye for goal. Morley is perhaps one of West Ham’s most under-rated players, always a willing runner and worker he was immensely popular with the fans winning Hammer of the year in 1994.
Morley was involved in one of the stranger incidents at the club where he was stabbed by his wife in 1991 missing 8 games and instigating a huge wave of rumours as to the reasons why he was attacked by his wife and this in a time before social media!!!
Morley left the club in 1995 having scored 70 goals in just over 200 games, his last game being the famous 1-1 draw with Manchester United which denied the Manchester club the title in 1995.
Morley joined Reading in 1995 and suffered a horrific facial injury which led his needing facial reconstruction and led to him needing 6 metal plates inserted into his skull following a challenge with John Gittens.
Morley finished his career playing in Norway and following his retirement in 1998 he did some scouting for Arsenal before managing in the 5th tier of Norwegian football.
He currently lives in Norway where he runs a shelter for addicts and works as pundit for Norwegian TV.