West Ham

WEST HAM UNITED enjoys one of the proudest traditions for playing entertaining, attacking football that has thrilled millions since the East London club formed in 1900, five years after the formation of our forerunners, Thames Ironworks.

It is enshrined in Hammers' history that regardless of their status at any given time, whether challenging for silverware or fighting relegation, the club has never sacrificed its long-held football principles. Our knowledgeable fans have come to expect nothing less and they are rightly proud of it.

Throughout the years, West Ham have invariably employed managers who embody these values, doing much themselves to promote and sustain our footballing philosophy. The majority of them joined the club as youngsters, were brought up through the playing ranks at Upton Park, so they understood everything the club stands for.

Even Ron Greenwood, the first 'outsider' to be appointed manager when he arrived from Arsenal in 1961, epitomised the West Ham Way. Greenwood continued to build on the excellent foundations laid by his predecessor, Ted Fenton, and the vastly influential skipper, Malcolm Allison, in the 50s which established the club's famed 'Academy'. Allison combined his defensive duties in the then Second Division side with coaching the schoolboys. He, more than anyone, helped nurture the man who would ultimately replace him in the first team and become arguably the most famous English footballer of all - Bobby Moore.