Billy Bonds Career profile of Bonzo: Mr West Ham United FC.

1964 Cup Final Match Report from the thrilling 3-2 victory over PNE.

Johnny Byrne Career profile of Budgie Byrne, gifted but flawed?

Chelsea 0 West Ham 4 Match Report from a real Hammering away at the Bridge. Marvelous.

Bill Green Career profile of the stopper who briefly stayed at Upton Park.

Blackpool 4 West Ham 0 Match Report from a notorious day in Hammers' FA Cup history.

Those who know their football history, will be well aware that West Ham United Football Club have long been reknowned for their attractive and entertaining style of play. This philosophy has remained, by and large until today, and the WHFC policy of encouraging & developing new young talent has produced many players of real class. If you think of the recent products of the West Ham youth policy, what a team they would have now - if they had been able to keep hold of them all. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Jermaine Defoe, Glen Johnson et al... it makes you wonder!

Sadly, as all too often, money talks - and in the scheme of things how can the Hammers try to compete with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal & Man Utd when it comes to that particular commodity.

The Hammers were formed in 1895 as the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co, later becoming West Ham United Football club in 1900. The clubs nickname of "The Irons" was derived from their origins (no surprise there), this later gave way to todays more popular nickname of "The Hammers" which is also related to the area of London they come from & the crossed hammers badge on their shirts.

WHUFC entered the Football League in 1919 and were first promoted to the top flight in 1923. Most of the clubs history has been spent in and around Division Two, with little league success, but some fair returns in the domestic cup competitions. Relegated in 1932, the Hammers remained in the Second Division until 1958 when they were promoted, as champions, to the top flight where they would now enjoy their longest stay.

Real success now came in the clubs golden era of the 1960's & 70's, with teams managed by Ron Greenwood & John Lyall. The first trophy came when the young Hammers side, including Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst, defeated Preston North End in the epic 1964 FA Cup Final. Another member of the young West Ham side - Martin Peters would join Moore & Hurst to go on to further recognition, as integral members of the victorious England world Cup Winning side in 1966.

Further cup success came the following year with success abroad in the European Cup Winners Cup (although the final was played at Wembley in front of a sell out crowd), with a triumph over Munich 1860 by 2- 0.

The league record of West Ham United Football Club in this period was very much that of a mid-table side, with the highest finish being 6th place in Division One in 1973.

A second cup success came in the 1975 FA Cup final when the Hammers, won the all-London affair against Fulham 2-0. This was capitalised on the following season as WHUFC appeared again the European Cup Winners Cup Final of 1976, this time defeated 4-2 by Anderlecht.

Relegation from Division One came soon after, in 1978, but West Ham would be back in the top flight again promoted as champions in 1981. Sandwiched in this little period was another FA Cup triumph, beating Arsenal 1-0 in a final where the Hammers were considered underdogs.

Since that last cup success West Ham United FC have been yo-yoing between the top 2 English Leagues, as have so many other clubs, unable to compete on even terms with the big clubs. A return to the Premiership was welcomed in the 2005 play offs with a victory over Prston North End in a tight play off Final at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.

Always associated with attractive football, The Premier League is the right stage for West Ham United Football Club. Long may they continue.

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West Ham United club information will be updated here often. This page will contain detailed Hammers information, statistics, history and facts and figures about West Ham Utd , WHUFC players, and your football related banter. If you have any stories, pictures or info relating to the teams, West Ham United footballers past & present, or anything relevant to this site you think we should publish, please email us.

It's taking us a while to add all of the teams, WHUFC players e.t.c to our site & we apologise if you find this inconvenient, but we are trying to make sure that this is a quality site and as such we will take our time to do this right - we do not want to publish any old WHUFC rubbish.

Regards,