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The Mercernary 1:23 Fri Jun 30
Who are the real West Ham legends?

I've seen on social media some debating about whether Rice and/or Noble could be classed as legends, then the same about Di Canio, when someone threw his name into the mix.

We have the obvious names that few will disagree with, so Moore, Bonds, Brooking, Hurst, then Greenwood and Lyall from a manager perspective. How many more are there?

Some examples, with reasons why they may get to be a legend, or not be:

Martin Peters - for me he is, but does his move to Spurs somehow preclude him?

Johnny Byrne - I think he was a key piece of the 60s success we had. Thoughts?

Alan Sealey - do the 2 goals he scored against TSV elevate him to legendary status?

Frank Lampard senior - I think this one may be contentious for some, but there's no doubt he was a key part of our success in the 70's and 80's.

Who else and what gets you to club legend status? Julian Dicks maybe, or is he a cult hero at best?

Dr Matt 12:46 Tue Jul 4
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Nigel Reo-Coker - Play Off winning captain and Cup Final captain

Bobby Zamora - scored some of the biggest and most memorable goals in our history

Alan Curbishley - saved the club in the Tevez season. We’d be in League 1 now but for him

Full Claret Jacket 12:05 Tue Jul 4
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Its interesting who people class as legends. For me its quality players who you automatically associate with West Ham. I'm not old enough to have seen Hurst, Moore and Peters first hand so my first heroes were those in the 1980 FA cup side. Bonzo, Brooking, Devonshire and Parkes were all big favourites.

gph 10:33 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Doris.

A proper legend. I'm not sure she actually exists

Razzman 10:27 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Bowen?for that goal alone!

zico 10:15 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

It's also worth noting that bids came in for players back in the older days that managers didn't necessarily pass on. I remember Alvin Martin stating that it was only when he retired that he heard of several clubs who had been interested but John Lyall wouldn't entertain them. Whether or not Alvin would have considered a move if he had known he didn't reveal.

REALGSA 10:00 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

I cannot believe people are not even putting Cottee and frank mcavennie in as Heros.
Also our leading Premier League goal scorer Antonio deserves some respect...

riosleftsock 9:07 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Beyond the normal ones, I'd only add maybe Alvin Martin and Frankie Mac.

Rice may become a legend, but its too early to tell. He didn't change enough games for us and even went missing a bit for parts of this season. He's a fantastic player though.

ATHammer 8:57 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Players: Watson; Hurst; Peters; Moore; Bonds; Brooking; Martin
Youth Scouts: Wally St Pier; Tony Carr
Managers: Lyall; Greenwood
For me none of the other players reach Legendary status.

The Mercernary 4:10 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Whoops - missed another: Tony Carr MBE!

South Woodhammer 3:48 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Players - Legends - Moore , Hurst , Peters , Brooking , Bonds , Devonshire
Cult heros - Pop Robson , Psycho Cross , Alvin , Dicks ,
Di Canio , Tevez , Noble , Ludo , Rice ...dare a mention for a season of magic from Payet who may just have reached the Messi level for a brief moment in time.
Managers - Greenwood , Lyall
Fans - about 25,000 hardcore with a special mention to Bill Gardner , last man to leave the Boleyn ( sorry Knollsy ).

TheBoleynBoy 3:26 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Agree Swindon actually, as soon as I posted I thought he’d be under that term of “Hero”

swindon hammer 3:25 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

I suppose you could make a case for there being quite a few players that would fall under the term “Cult Hero” rather than legends.

The likes of Noble, Potts & Winton Reid would probably be in that category.

TheBoleynBoy 3:14 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

How about Big Winston Reid?

A good captain.
Scored winners against Millwall and Man United with that one being the last ever goal at Upton Park.
Scored that one at the Lane to set us up for the 3-0 win.

Quite an important player for us in recent times, obviously injuries eventually got to him mind.

Fifth Column 2:47 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Noble to me is like Potts only a slightly better player. They are both amazing servants of the club. Great role models. Good people.

But to me a "legend" has to also be an exceptional player. I don't think you could put a reasonable case that, purely in playing terms, Noble is exceptional.

TheBoleynBoy 2:23 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Mashed,

Peoples feelings get hurt a lot more these days haha.

zico 2:22 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

You could argue that Alan Taylor and Alan Sealey deserve Legend status considering they both scored two goals apiece to win Cup Finals. Plus interestingly Steve Potts doesn't appear in too many lists despite being 8th in the all time total appearances list. But there again I certainly wouldn't give the status to Moyes who is only the third manager to have won a major trophy.

mashed in maryland 1:52 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Julian DICKS
Paolo di CANIO
Samassi ABOU

Anyone upset about Rice going to Arsenal need to relax, Martin Peters went to Spurs and Billy Bonds ended up managing Millwall ffs.

isolated hammer 1:31 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

For me, the legends are Moore, Bonds, Brooking, Hurst, Peters, Dicks, Noble and the Squad of 85/86.

End of story.

Tomshardware 12:51 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

It's all about opinions and your marker for what qualifies someone as a legend. Often what eras youve been watching West Ham.

Pub Bigot 12:49 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

There are some legends that will be forever, irrespective of era, such as Bonds, Brooking, Moore, Hurst and Peters.

For me, everyone else is a cult hero and that's the bracket Rice belongs in.

Lee Trundle 12:42 Mon Jul 3
Re: Who are the real West Ham legends?

Manuel & The Mercernary

For me, and as you've said it's all about opinions, you'd have to serve the vast majority of your career at the club and left you mark. I think those I mentioned have done so.

I'm wouldn't criticise having Hurst and Dicks on your lists. Both are worthy shouts.

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