Latest

“Javier Margas, I salute you”

|

When I was given a free choice to write an article for this site on anything/anyone West Ham based that I wanted, I decided to go back and look at one of the strangest and most colourful characters in recent years. This, is the legend that is Javier Margas.

Bought in 1998 after impressing for Chile at the France ’98 World Cup, Margas signed from Colo Colo at the same time as Neil Ruddock to plug a hole in the centre of defence left by the departing David Unsworth. One of the old adages in football is to not buy a player based on his performances at a tournament and though I don’t remember if he signed before or after the World Cup, on the basis of his first West Ham season, Javier was going to be a blooper of a signing.

Basically, Javier made just three appearances in his first season. A 0-0 draw against Coventry, coupled with defeats against Wimbledon (in a game we were leading 3-0) and Leeds. Added to that, Margas’ appearances were limited due to going AWOL. Like Boogers, Javier was homesick and unfortunately went missing. With nobody knowing his whereabouts for approximately five weeks he was eventually tracked back to his homeland of Chile. Had Harry have done his homework he may have established that this was always a possibility. Earlier in his career Margas transferred to Club America in Mexico, though failed to settle and lasted just one season before heading back to Chile. Seemingly Margas’ very short West Ham career was over.

 

Not so, on gaining a fifth place in the Premiership and a European place thanks to an Intertoto Cup win, Margas is back in favour and back in London! With experience and strength in depth required for the European journey ahead, Our ‘Arry put his faith back in Margas to provide steel in the squad. The only problem was getting the fans back on his side. Anyone who was at Upton Park on September 16th 1999 for a UEFA Cup tie v Osijek was greeted by a sight long standing in Hammers faithful memory as Margas ran out with claret and blue hair! This was to show his dedication to the club and apologise to the fans. A gesture fondly remembered. Also, not as apparent or well-known was his commitment to his players, showing them his brand new British Bulldog tattoo in the changing room.

All in all, Margas made 30 appearances for West Ham in all competitions scoring one goal in a 5-0 victory over Coventry. Where he wasn’t exactly a world-beater for us he was a steady defender and obviously a character. Nowadays he’s back in Chile where his extrovert character still shines through. In recent years he has been on reality TV, bought former dictator Pinochet’s armoured car, and set up a chain of motels with vibrating erotic chairs for adults in every suite(!) More intriguingly though is the fact that West Ham fans have been invited to stay at any of them, free of charge, as a guest of Margas!

So, whilst never a contender for Hammer Of The Year, like Paolo di Canio, Schemmel and Miklosko before him, West Ham still has a place in the heart of a foreign player, and because of this, Javier Margas I salute you.

Share this article

1 comment

Comments are closed.