Memries of West Ham

[grafikhaus]

So we play West Ham in the league for the first time since they cheated us out of our place in the Premier League in the 2006-07 season. So what has changed since the ‘Tevez incident’ got us a paltry £20m payout for their cheating? We’ve had twelve years in Division One and The Championship, West Ham have benefitted from 12 years of PL payments and they’ve been gifted ‘Coe’s Folly’ instead of having to build their own stadium. This will be our first-ever visit to the state-sponsored London Stadium. West Ham have failed to win in their last four outings, but have improving injury news – including the likely return of Aaron Cresswell. Meanwhile, Danny Mills suggests that West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini will snub Pablo Zabaleta and keep faith in playing Ryan Fredericks despite his poor performance against Everton on Saturday. The former Leeds and England full-back, speaking exclusively to Football Insider assistant editor Russell Edge, says that the Argentine veteran is a “fantastic” player but that his age might count against him when it comes to returning to the starting XI.

Fredericks has played every single minute of the Hammers’ Premier League campaign this season, with Zabaleta has just three substitute appearances totalling 37 minutes in the top flight.

Recent-ish games against West Ham:



Full history Sheffield United v West Ham United

Full League history v. West Ham:

Home: P: 39 W: 22 D: 8 L: 9 F: 86 A: 53

Away: P: 39 W: 11 D: 10 L: 18 F: 46 A: 73

With Monday’s win v. Arsenal, United climb to ninth place in the PL table:



Latest Premier League Table

Form Guide



The Blades and West Ham both have eight points from the last eighteen:

Latest Premier League Form Guide

Our most recent meeting with ‘The Irons’ came on August 26th, 2014 in the second round of the (Carling) League Cup at the old Upton Park. The game finished 1-1 at 90 minutes, no further goals were scored in extra time and the Blades won the penalty shoot-out 5-4 (scorers: Ben Davies, Neil Collins, Marc McNulty, Jay McEveley and Michael ‘Cockney Walk’ Doyle. Enner Valencia’s fifth penalty for the Hammers was saved by Blades keeper Mark Howard.

Nigel Clough’s Blades would progress to the semi-finals of the competition where they eventually lost over two legs to Tottenham Hotspurs.

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Our last meeting in the league came towards the end of the ill-fated 2006-07 season. On April 14, 2007, United beat West Ham 3-0 at Bramall Lane (Tonge, Jagielka, Stead).

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Most of the 31,593 crowd went home thinking that – with just five games left – the Blades might just survive… (cracking vid., this)

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[grafikhaus]

And of course, no memory of West Ham would be complete without ‘a quality goal from a quality player’

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Top Scorers:



Men to Watch:

From left: Andriy Yarmolenko joined the Hammers from Borussia Dortmund in Summer 2018. Sébastien Haller, a £45m summer transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt is currently the Hammers‘ top scorer. Mark Noble first played for West Ham in 2004 and is still going!



The Manager:

Manuel Pellegrini is on his fourteenth managerial position.

Typical West Ham fan:

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[Silent Blade]

First time I went to Upton Park was on 6th November 1971. We won 2-1 with Gil Reece getting our goals. Highlights of the game was shown on MOTD (thankfully it was the 2nd match of the programme as the Dronfield branch coach arrived in Dronfield just after MOTD started) but since then I have not seen any footage of the goals.

 

[Silent Blade]

September 7th 1974. It was Billy Jennings (far right in below photo) debut and he opened the scoring. Alan Woodward's equaliser was memorable goal is what I would describe as "the goal that defied science". My dad had driven down to my boarding school in Newbury for that day and took me and my three schoolmates to Upton Park to watch the match. Just before we got in the ground the gale-force wind blew a match ticket out of my dad's hand and he had to chase after it for about thirty yards. West Ham were leading 1-0 at half time and United faced playing against the strong wind for the second half and even if we had won a penalty it would be an almighty struggle to have enough power to shoot past the goalkeeper. Even now my Norwich-supporting mate would still recall the goal Woody scored in the match.
Here is what Benny Hill (not the comedian!) wrote in the Morning Telegraph two days later: “Long after Alan Woodward has finished his playing career, the fans will be talking about the goals he scored for Sheffield United; the spectacular, the face saving, the dramatic. Rarely it seems, is he involved in the run-of-the-mill goal. Invariably there are moments of drama when his power and skill combine to smash the ball into the net. At Upton Park he pulled one out of the hat to celebrate his birthday and put United level in the 78th minute; it was a wonderful example of his ability to read an opportunity and to do something positive as it comes. Intercepting a short pass from Holland just inside the West Ham half, Woodward streaked through the centre to slam the ball from 25 yards past a startled Day. John Lyall, the new West Ham manager, put the incident in a nutshell when he told me; “You can't give Woodward chances like that: he's too good a player.”

Billy Dearden got the winning goal

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

I've got nothing against West Ham, I'm in the camp of belief where yes, they cheated and got rightly fined but they weren't responsible for us going down in my opinion, we had more than enough chances to stay up.

Look forward to a soulless bowl of a shit heap in a shite part of London and spending £8.50 on an American hotdog with a pint of carlsberg filled from the bottom up. Feel for those Hammers having to put up with that shit. If there was ever a club which has literally had their soul ripped out of em it's them and that my friends is karma

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

in a shite part of London

Have you been down here lately?

But you are right about the soul of the club having gone. Obviously living down here for a number of years I know quite a few Hammers, some haven't even been to the new stadium such is there feeling about it all. Those that do go, are in total agreement that it just isn't the same any more.

 

[Eza Blade]

Cracking piece but let’s not quote Danny Mills. I know they may know have a plastic stadium but I am sure it will be rocking on Saturday!! Can’t wait!!!

 

[Greenblades]

I was there in 1990. Lost 5-0. Even worse I was on their end. We were lucky we got nil that night and they had a decent team back then. It was a proper football ground and I can see why many of their fan base detest the new one. Hopefully they will admire our team this year !

 

[Beans]

That 3-3 draw at the Lane in 2004 was a cracking game. Marlon Harewood got his inevitable goal against us, Jon Harley scored a screamer, and a young Michael Carrick also scored to make it 3-1 to them at half-time. Paul Shaw got one back, Tonge had a penalty saved, then Jagielka equalised from a corner with basically the last touch of the game (I remember Paddy was up for the corner, which positioned him nicely to join in with the celebrations).

My only trip to Upton Park was the FA Cup game a year later where Jagielka once again headed the equaliser after Harewood had, once again, given them the lead. Even for a fairly bland FA Cup game, and before any of the Tevez stuff, it was quite an intimidating atmosphere - glad our seats were far enough back to be out of the bits and bobs raining down from the upper tier...

 

[Greenblades]

That 3-3 draw at the Lane in 2004 was a cracking game. Marlon Harewood got his inevitable goal against us, Jon Harley scored a screamer, and a young Michael Carrick also scored to make it 3-1 to them at half-time. Paul Shaw got one back, Tonge had a penalty saved, then Jagielka equalised from a corner with basically the last touch of the game (I remember Paddy was up for the corner, which positioned him nicely to join in with the celebrations).

My only trip to Upton Park was the FA Cup game a year later where Jagielka once again headed the equaliser after Harewood had, once again, given them the lead. Even for a fairly bland FA Cup game, and before any of the Tevez stuff, it was quite an intimidating atmosphere - glad our seats were far enough back to be out of the bits and bobs raining down from the upper tier...

Paul Shaw! Now there’s a name I had forgotten !

 

[Nicolaus_Copernicus]

Paul Shaw! Now there’s a name I had forgotten !

When he played against us, he was akin to Messi, when he played for us, he was f'kin messy.

 

[Worksop II]

I was there in 1990. Lost 5-0. Even worse I was on their end. We were lucky we got nil that night and they had a decent team back then. It was a proper football ground and I can see why many of their fan base detest the new one. Hopefully they will admire our team this year !

Miklosko was kicking the ball out of his hands and it were comming down with Snow on ........

Stuart Slater running riot ..... twat

 

[Greenblades]

Miklosko was kicking the ball out of his hands and it were comming down woth Snow on ........

Stuart Slater running riot ..... twat

Slater had a blinder that night alright. I remember going for a pint after and listening to how bad we were. I found myself agreeing !

 

[jono_t2000]

As a home team you want your ground to be as intimidating as possible. Their new stadium has done nothing and it must be as hard for the players as it is the fans. They must feel like they're playing at a neutral ground rather than at home. More hammers fans are in agreement that their home form would be better off if they'd stayed at Upton.

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

Have you been down here lately?

But you are right about the soul of the club having gone. Obviously living down here for a number of years I know quite a few Hammers, some haven't even been to the new stadium such is there feeling about it all. Those that do go, are in total agreement that it just isn't the same any more.

I have, many times. If Westfield and all the shiny new office buildings of big business and London Olympic housing is your thing then great! Stratford for me has always been a shit hole and no amount of new shiny buildings and shopping centres will cover that up for me. Further west in to Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston and Stoke Newington are great IMO, gentrified yes but needed gentrification from the 80's/90's when some of those were considered no go areas. Further east in to West Essex fringes are lovely too bar the odd shitespot like Ilford or forest gate.

 

[Silent Blade]

Slater had a blinder that night alright. I remember going for a pint after and listening to how bad we were. I found myself agreeing !

Chris Wilder couldn't get near to him until after the final whistle when he came to shake hands with him.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

I have, many times. If Westfield and all the shiny new office buildings of big business and London Olympic housing is your thing then great! Stratford for me has always been a shit hole and no amount of new shiny buildings and shopping centres will cover that up for me. Further west in to Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston and Stoke Newington are great IMO, gentrified yes but needed gentrification from the 80's/90's when some of those were considered no go areas. Further east in to West Essex fringes are lovely too bar the odd shitespot like Ilford or forest gate.

I'll give you a tour next time

Granted it isn't Shoreditch or Hoxton, but give it 10 years of that same gentrification process (which is already happening) and it will be (well almost). And I can find several bigger shit holes in East London alone, never mind the Greater London area.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

Mark Noble first played for West Ham in 2004 and is still going!

Sounds familiar.

 

[Isaw Joeshaw]

March 1968 FA Cup .

The turnstiles closed just as I was about to pay and I finished up buying a ticket from a tout . I seem to remember I paid £3.10 shillings which was about 6 times face value . Fuck .

Turned out to be worth every penny as we beat them 2-1 thanks to two goals from Phil Cliff who usually played in the reserves , and this was against the famous Hammers team which included Bobby Moore , Cheating Trevor Brooking , Martin Peters , Geoff Hurst et al and they didn't like it up 'em one little bit .

A London mate told me that their supporters were boarding the train at all the tube stations back into central London looking for Blades fans and kicking the shit out of any they found . Never liked 'em since .

What with that and the fucking Tevez business , it would give me deep joy if we rubbed their noses in it on Saturday .

 

[dublin 10 blade]

I remember a night game at the lane , good game we won 3-0 , lots of hassle had to defend myself outside midland station as a few come over the roundabout ( at the time ) to try and intimidate us Northan cants
Then over in Belfast saw England win 1-0 playing norn iron , got talking to a few in a pub after game ( you have to stay up there after 10 as trains don’t run south ) who were all sound but really got nasty to the few Chelsea fans that were there

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

I have, many times. If Westfield and all the shiny new office buildings of big business and London Olympic housing is your thing then great! Stratford for me has always been a shit hole and no amount of new shiny buildings and shopping centres will cover that up for me. Further west in to Shoreditch, Hoxton, Dalston and Stoke Newington are great IMO, gentrified yes but needed gentrification from the 80's/90's when some of those were considered no go areas. Further east in to West Essex fringes are lovely too bar the odd shitespot like Ilford or forest gate.

At my place we've just moved from Islington to one of the shiny new office buildings you mention. Funnily enough today was my first visit. It does feel soulless by comparison to the areas you mention but in time it'll find more of an identity, I'm sure.

Nice shiny new office, good. Having to look at the London Stadium whilst I work, bad.

 

[Jan Age]

Premier League 93/94 at the Lane 0-2 down scored just before half time to make it 1-2 came back to win 3-2 Whitehouse with a screamer - great game that was!

 

[BiggerBladeThanThou]

At my place we've just moved from Islington to one of the shiny new office buildings you mention. Funnily enough today was my first visit. It does feel soulless by comparison to the areas you mention but in time it'll find more of an identity, I'm sure.

Nice shiny new office, good. Having to look at the London Stadium whilst I work, bad.

Do you work for a certain charity?

 

[Silent Blade]

November 10th 1973 2-2 draw. Woody scored both our goals, the second one was a volley from a TC corner.

 

[Silent Blade]

March 1968 FA Cup .

The turnstiles closed just as I was about to pay and I finished up buying a ticket from a tout . I seem to remember I paid £3.10 shillings which was about 6 times face value . Fuck .

Turned out to be worth every penny as we beat them 2-1 thanks to two goals from Phil Cliff who usually played in the reserves , and this was against the famous Hammers team which included Bobby Moore , Cheating Trevor Brooking , Martin Peters , Geoff Hurst et al and they didn't like it up 'em one little bit .

A London mate told me that their supporters were boarding the train at all the tube stations back into central London looking for Blades fans and kicking the shit out of any they found . Never liked 'em since .

What with that and the fucking Tevez business , it would give me deep joy if we rubbed their noses in it on Saturday .

 

[true99blade]

Beating them on penalties on their own patch when we were two divisions below them was enough closure for me. Totally irrelevant right now all the Tevez shite. Fancy us to get something Satdi!

 

[metalblade]

I went to Upton Park in the early 70's the SUT coach dropped us off in West Ham which was about 3 miles from the ground or so it seemed, a right trek it was. In the ground my mate wound a W.Ham fan up summat rotten kept asking him what their fans were chanting until the lad was screaming WEST HAM. My mate just said sounds like Wedn**day to me the poor spammer was so furious he was close to tears. Still he had the last laugh we got thrashed 5-0. Remember after the game running like hell up this road back to where the coach dropped us all off and it not being there, five minutes of panic thinking we had missed it until more Blades showed up.

 

[Bearlie]

I've never seen us away at west ham but I've seen is play at Upton park .

 

[Revolution]

I've never seen us away at west ham but I've seen is play at Upton park .

charlton in the FA Cup, 1992

 

[Pollingtonblade]

I was there in 1990. Lost 5-0. Even worse I was on their end. We were lucky we got nil that night and they had a decent team back then. It was a proper football ground and I can see why many of their fan base detest the new one. Hopefully they will admire our team this year !

Yeah we got tonked that night