In the early years, the club participated in the London League, the Southern League, and the Western League. After restructuring in 1900, the Hammers joined the Football League in 1919, reached the FA Cup final, and were relegated to the First League in 1923. In 1919, West Ham became a member of the Football League One and entered League Two. The first season after the war. After nearly 20 years in the FRY, United secured a place in the Football League’s Second Division under Sid King he managed the Hammers until 1932. West Ham was first promoted to the First Division in 1923 and stayed there for nine seasons before being relegated to the Second Division until 1958.
West Ham United has had quite an illustrious history in the English football league. For over 100 years, West Ham has been competing in the top level of English football, with some players becoming legends within that span. Here are some of the most memorable players who have played for this iconic club.
Bobby Moore
Bobby Moore was captain of the 1966 World Cup-winning England team. He is well-known for his pivotal role in West Ham United’s 1964-65 season, during which he captained to a famous FA Cup victory against Blackburn Rovers.
Sir Geoff Hurst
Geoff Hurst is a legend for West Ham United. He was the team’s top goalscorer in the 1960s and held the record for goals scored in a match. Hurst played and won an astonishing four times with England at the 1966 FIFA World Cup.
Martin Peters
Martin Peters played in West Ham United’s winning side of 1964. He was one of the five West Ham players that helped England win the World Cup in 1966. He also won two European Cups with West Ham.
John Lyall
John Lyall was a Scottish footballer and the manager of West Ham United. He played for Scotland during his career, and after retiring as a player, he turned to management. He first became manager at West Ham in 1973 and won the FA Cup two years later. After four successful seasons with West Ham, he became their Director of Football from 1977-1981 before managing from 1981-1986. In his second stint as manager, he secured three more promotions before retiring from management for good in 1987
They are one of eight clubs that have never fallen below the second tier of English football, having spent 63 of their 95 league seasons in the top flight, including the 2020-21 season. Since our last promotion in 2012, West Ham has not finished below 13th in the Premier League. He led the Hammers to a healthy 13th place, four points off the top five, but we remain just four points above the drop zone.
Arsenal has an even better record, with just two non-top-flight seasons in football league history. West Ham has only played in the top two divisions, with sixty-one of our ninety-three league football seasons in the top since we first joined in 1919. League including most points (62), most goals in a season (65), fewest games lost in a season (8) and fewest away defeats (5).
