Since I’ve been writing for Forever West Ham, one thing that stands out loud and proud, is the fact that supporters opinions are based largely on what they know or have seen.
Mention David Cross to a 20-year-old or bang on about Billy Bonds to a 15-year-old and you may get an expression of “I’ve heard the name somewhere”, but not much else. Hardly unsurprising as these guys retired long before said fans were born.
And so it is with past managers. Most youngsters won’t remember past the Harry Redknapp/Glenn Roeder/Alan Curbishley/Gianfranco Zola/Alan Pardew reigns. However, I should imagine it’s only the oldies like me who look back on the Ron Greenwood and John Lyall days with affection and almost a reverence.
Greenwood joined the club in 1961 and was the founding father of the West Ham style; pass and move, clever inter-play, far post runs, near post crosses, all ideas taken from the European game that hadn’t at the time been widely used in England.
A true scholar of the game and a deep thinker, Ron Greenwood brought success to West Ham that really put us on the map. An FA Cup Final win in 1964, followed by a truly brilliant performance at Wembley a year later to beat TSV Munich 2-0 in the final of the European Cup Winners Cup. It was a performance of true style and class, and I urge anyone who hasn’t seen the footage to beg, steal or, preferably, buy a copy of the match and see what the fuss about West Ham was in those days.
It is absolutely no coincidence that a year later, in 1966, three of the stars of England’s World Cup victory were all players schooled and coached under the excellent Greenwood. Furthermore, several of the goals bore all the hallmarks of the West Ham style, most notably Geoff Hurst’s header in the quarter-final against Argentina, and his first in the final from a Bobby Moore free kick. Ron Greenwood eventually got the England managers job in 1977 where he stayed for five years.
Rons protégée was John Lyall, and it was under John that the Greenwood way was maintained and taken up a notch by the tactically astute and excellent man manager.
West Ham won the FA Cup final and reached the final of the European Cup Winners Cup the following year, losing 4–2 to Anderlecht. However, true to form, West Ham dropped to the Second Division in 1978. Lyall re-built cleverly with great signings like Phil Parkes, Ray Stewart, and later Alan Devonshire. Playing some top-notch football, West Ham returned to the First Division in 1981 winning the title by 13 points.
In their 1981 promotion season, Lyall took the Hammers to the final of the League Cup, where we drew 1–1 against Liverpool, before losing the replay 2–1, having led early in the match. We also reached the quarter-final of the European Cup Winners Cup.
28 goals from Frankie McAvennie, 25 from Tony Cottee and an eighteen game unbeaten run saw Lyall take West Ham to their highest ever league finish in the 1985–1986 First Division season, when we finished third behind champions Liverpool and runners-up Everton. However, being unable to build on the previous season, the team began to falter and relegation was the unwelcome spectre in May 1989. Just two months later John Lyall was unceremoniously dumped after 34 years loyal service the club, and it seems he never really got over the hurt about the appalling way he had been treated by the board. To this day it is hard to believe such a crass and cruel decision could have been made.
John Lyall was class personified in manner, dress, attitude and personality. I cant recall any players having spoken badly about him, and having been left the Ron Greenwood legacy, John took it, ran with it, and gave West Ham some of their finest moments for which I, and thousands of Hammers, will be eternally grateful.
Thanks John.
one of the best days of my life the cup final with Fulham, Lyall rang from the stands. John was one of the best managers we have ever had, a team built on class, but a hard core like bonds and tommy t, graham paddon. but like all west ham teams never built on. small minded board.
Spot on Pete.. We always failed to build on the 6 or 7 decent players we had at any one time. Lack of investment and apparent will to grow and improve has always hampered us. Some things never change ! After the 3rd spot finish we could and should have moved up a notch with a knowledgable, competent and supportive board, but some of the signings were very poor due to financial handcuffs and we went backwards.
I understand the sentiment – but like so much spewed out regarding Greenwood – the credit belongs to Ted Fenton – he schooled the Holy Trinity of Moore, Hurst and Peters – the stalwarts from the 64 & 65 Teams Brown, Bond, Burkett, Boyce, Standen all his and he was at the club when Johnny Sissons was signed as an apprentice. The fabled Academy grew and nurtured under Fenton, while Greenwood was at Arsenal – during which they endured their least successfull spell in their history. From 1961 to 1974 – 13 seasons, Greenwood bought two good players Budgie Byrne and Pop Robson. He bought a whole host of awful rubbish in that period – the major factor behind Bobby Moore wanting an asking for a transfer after the 1966 World Cup and Martin Peters in 1970. Pop Robson arguably in the top five of players who should have got an England cap but didn’t top scored in the First Division in the 1972/73 seaon with 28 goals and was without doubt the top inside forward that season. The genius that is Greenwood decided to make him a winger/midfielder the following season – another season where we avoided relegation on the last day of the season and endured another of our Minow killings – a third round cup exit to the mighty Hereford. Pop left at the end of the season playing less than 20 games as he grew increasingly frustrated at playing out of position. He also tried to make a left winger out of Jimmy Greaves- One season with Greenwood and he retired at 31.
However the crowning turd of the “Mystical Greenwood” era was to turn down the chance of signing Gordon Banks after the 1966 World Cup as he wanted to join his West Ham mates to pay a British Transfer record fee for a goalkeeper at the time – for the diminutive 5 foot 6 Bobby Ferguson as he thought he was the better prospect – Banks or Ferguson? – No doubt Ferguson wouldn’t have conceded a corner from that Pele header in the 1970 World Cup.
Lyall – is our best Manager ever – but after 1985/86 to not add to the squad and give Paul Goddard away when we only had three strikers was madness – compounded by the signings of Tommy Mcqueen and Gary Strodder. That slippery slope culminating in purchasing Alan Mcknight to replace Phil Parkes and David Connolly for Tony Cottee – and that effectively signed his death warrant.
N.B if you are going to put praise on a website – Alan Devonshire signed for West Ham in 1976. It was in 1976/77 season, another last game decider to avoid relegation – a 4 – 2 triumph over Manchester United – Pop Robson played as inside forward that night and scored two.
David Connolly was about 11 in 1988 therefore I doubt he repaced Cottee! Facts right please. Kelly was the name…
We won’t get the glory days back with SA in charge. Unless SA goes we will be in the same situation this time next year for sure, whoever is signed. If SA thinks wev’e overachieved last season God help us
It’s up to Gold and Sullivan, bite the bullet and reshape or ???
Sorry, I remember the Lyall out chants ringing from the North bank and chicken run when things weren’t going well.
That’s when West Ham changed from being a great club to the same as any other in my book.
Apparently the real reason why we went backwards after 86 was the signing of Stewart Robson from Ars. All the players said he slowed down the play going forward and kept turning backwards instead of moving the ball forward quickly like Dickens / Orr /Pike was doing the year before.
That comes from most of the players who played the following year.
Also Board sat back again….
Lyall never had a chance when he sold cottee ( not his choice ) and got 25% of the money for a 2nd div forward (Kelly). sounds familiar doesn’t it !!!