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West Ham United F.C.

Their foundation came from workers of a ship building yard who formed a club called 'Thames Ironworks FC' in 1895. After a struggling five years in the London League the club folded and were launched again as West Ham United. The club is well known for it's loyalty, long term players and managers are the buzz word. They have had four players who were on their books for more than twenty years, Jim Barrett, Dick Walker, Ernie Gregory and Billy Bonds. Billy Bonds went on to manage the club later.

The time each manager has spent at the club is also impressive, Syd King for thirty years, Charlie Paynter for eighteen years, Ted Fenton for eleven years, Ron Greenwood for thirteen years, John Lyall for fifteen years. Only in recent times have West Ham followed the common trend of sacking manager after short periods, notably Alan Pardew. The clubs best finish in the top tier of English football is a 3rd place during 1985-86. They have had better success in the cup competitions, winning the FA Cup on three occasions and the European Cup Winners Cup once.

The club has always been noted for the attractive football it plays. The greatest of it's sides undoubtedly being the 60's team which featured three world cup winners in Booby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters. This team also won the FA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup. In recent years under manager Harry Rednapp they discovered and developed an excellent group of youngsters. The crop included players like Rio Ferdinand, Joe Cole, Jermain Defoe and Michael Carrick who have gone on to play for England.

The future looks bright for the club, with full houses for most games they are thinking of expanding their Boleyn Ground or moving to a new ground of 50,000 plus. Based in London they are capable of attracting top rate foreign players, and are capable of generating more income from gate receipts (ticket prices are usually higher in London) than clubs based in the north.