West Ham Online

"Apologies if this has been mentioned before but is anyone watching this series from Robert Banks on YouTube? The latest episode is the start of season 84/85 (My first season following West Ham) where John Lyall almost left to join QPR that summer. Great clips, great music and full of interesting historical Information about West Ham during the Lyall era. Highly recommended. It deserves far more views than it currently gets."

Always thought Parkes should have done better on the Metgod free kick

Always thought Parkes should have done better on the Metgod free kick

Today’s episode is the climax to the legendary 85/86 season which includes some great clips of the famous 8-1 win against Newcastle and wins against Ipswich & West Brom and the costly loss at home to Chelsea. It all went downhill for John Lyall and the team after this.

"These are brilliant and the first thing I look for on a Saturday morning while the omeprazole is going down. As well as his books, the Tim Crane emailed newsletters are also top notch. If you’re into your old school West Ham they are unmissable - he’s got some network."

"I did watch the first one of the 85/86 season, was good, but without the music I wouldn't bother to be honest."

"zico, someone else mentioned about the “They played for John Lyall book” will have to track a copy down. I have seen plenty of pictures of McAvennie in a St Mirren shirt. He certainly had a distinctive look! I have never seen a picture of him wearing our 83-85 home shirt before though! Funnily enough Greg Campbell was mentioned in the latest episode as Tony Cottee was dropped at the start of the 85/86 season and Campbell took his place. I don’t think he played another game for us after that."

"swindon hammer 12:13 Sun Feb 26 Not just the West Ham shirt, him wearing the St Mirren shirt with the curly ginger hair is a throwback. He certainly got noticed with the bleach! If you are enjoying these the book They Played For John Lyall - The West Ham Years by Tim Crane is ab absolutely fabulous read. I'm reading it again for the second time. One incredibly sad story is the one on Mark Smith. Never saw him play but apparently he was a really good full back. Sadly he had an incredibly rare life threatening medical condition which he kept hidden from people. How he played any football at all is incredible. Really sad story. One that makes me wince was Greg Campbell. Bobby Campbell's son who played the odd game. Went on for a sliding tackle on a bit of ground rarely used at Chadwell Heath and knackered his knee as he slid over an old metal tennis net piece buried in the ground. Ouch to say the least. John Lyall too him bleeding to hospital in his new Jaguar with cream seats. Can see David Moyes driving Fabianski for a check up yesterday can you!"

When I was a kid in the eighties I thought Lyall was positively ancient. Always find it surprising that he was only 49 when he left us. Similarly Brian Clough was 58 when he managed a club for the last time. I just felt he was so much older than that.

"Troy, used to live up Old Town but have lived near Bath for a while now."

Great vids these What part of Swindon you from Swindon hammer? I’m Covy

The latest episode of this great series on YouTube is the start of the famous 85/86 season. Shows a picture of McAvennie in pre season wearing the 83-85 home shirt which I had never seen before.

In John's book I think he suggested the package at QPR would have allowed him to retire in a few years rather then in 94 when he did pack up. So I suspect the fact that when the board asked for compensation and he didn't push it his sacking in 88 probably left a bitter taste considering he didn't push for the move in 84. Some say he put his feet under the table a bit after that but 85 86 was still to come. Incredible to think they were haggling over a couple of hundred grand when apparently it would take 7 million to get rid of Moyes now.

"Cheers for this, gonna check it out ."

I remember buying an irrational hatred of Luton & his follow up in the early 90s. Ive watched some of the Lyall stuff already but will watch a lot more in due course.

"Leeshere, there was no chance Ferguson would have left Aberdeen to join West Ham in 1984. He turned down the Tottenham & Rangers jobs during that period."

"Wasn’t aware of this,thanks for posting. Like orange started going to matches with mates 78/79 season."

Found his book the Irrational Hatred of Luton and absolute bore fest... but... WFH tomorrow so will have this on in the back ground... will report back

"Before my time, but maybe if Lyall had left in 84, we could have got an up and coming Scottish manager at Aberdeen in as his replacement."

"Orange Hammer, It does seem a bit strange to think Lyall was going to leave us to join QPR. There wasn’t a massive amount of money in football back then in terms of wages like there is now so I’m guessing QPR offered him a considerable raise. It sounds like Lyall was on 150k a year at West Ham in 1984 as that is what we were asking for in compensation for the final year of his contract."

I've got no connection to the author but the book 'They Played For John Lyall - The West Ham Years' by Tim Crane is a must buy for any fan. It's brilliant

"Fantastic, I started going in 79, so it brings back so many memories. Forgot all about Lyall going to QPR. What was he thinking."

Each episode is only about 20 minutes so it’s easy to watch although I only discovered the channel just before Christmas so I was binging over the holidays! It’s so well put together.

Each episode is only about 20 minutes so it’s easy to watch although I only discovered the channel just before Christmas so I was binging over the holidays! It’s so well put together.

"They are fantastic to watch, really enjoying them. Lovely seeing the old ground."

I’ll have a butchers.