Top FIVE Hammers Fan Favourites

Throughout the history of West Ham there have been characters who have emblazoned themselves onto the memory of every fan. Not only were we supporting the Irons but we were specifically cheering for one of these players, most of the time to give one of the underperforming players a kick up the proverbial!

But what makes a player so liked by thousands of football fans? Some of the characteristics most likely to be seen in a fans favourite tend to be leadership, passion and commitment. It doesn’t necessarily follow that the quickest or the most skillful or even the most prolific player, will naturally become a hit with the faithful.

So here are my top 5 West Ham United fans favourites:

5 – Scott Parker – 113 Games

Scott joined West Ham from Newcastle in the summer of 2007, for a fee of around £7 million and quickly became the bedrock of the side. Game after game, the dogged yet skillful midfielder dragged the side kicking and screaming into competing with the opposition.

Parker frequently won “Hammer of the Year” and in 2010/2011 won the “FWA player of the year” award. West Ham’s new owners showed some determination to keep Parker at the club, signing him up on a new 5 year contract which saw him become the highest paid player in the club’s history. However, following the clubs relegation, his consistently high standard of performances meant other clubs soon came sniffing and eventually Tottenham took him back to the Premier League and kept him in the England squad, where most fans would agree he belongs.

4 – Billy Bonds – 663 Games

Billy Bonds was signed from Charlton Athletic in 1967 by Ron Greenwood. Acting as a counter balance for Trevor Brooking, Bonds excelled in midfield during the 1970’s, helping West Ham to the League Cup semi-final (71-72) and topping the scorers list in 73-74 with 13 goals.

Bonds was handed the captaincy once Bobby Moore departed and went on to win the FA Cup and reach the final of the European Cup Winners Cup. Bonds oozed commitment and leadership during his playing career, his game had physically strength, toughness in a tackle and a 100% commitment to the team. These inspirational qualities lead to his popularity with the West Ham Fans and saw him voted “Hammer of the Year” on four occasions.

Bonds playing career at Upton Park lasted over 20 years, giving him the appearance record of 663 league games. His career also won plaudits off the pitch, with an MBE and PFA Merit Award in 1988. His career at the club continued as Manager between 1990 and 1994.

3 – Julian Dicks

Dicks joined West Ham for £300k from Birmingham in 1988. Often cautioned or sent off due to his passionate tough tackling, resulting in the nickname “The Terminator”. He did however possess one hell of a left foot, smashing penalties and free kicks throughout his Irons career.

A persistent knee injury, sustained in the 1990/1991 season, meant frequent visits to the treatment table. However he persisted and was made captain at the tender age of 23. His character, passion and commitment again marks him out as a fan’s favourite.

2 – Paolo Di Canio

Paolo came to West Ham in 1999 for 1.7m following his infamous push on referee Paul Alcock. He helped the club achieve it’s highest ever league placing of 5^th and qualification for the UEFA Cup. His performances were notable for not only their passion and commitment but for the technical skill and audacity of his football. He won the BBC Goal of the Season award for his volley against Wimbledon in 2000 and was also voted “Hammer of the Year”.

Another controversial moment in his West Ham career, against Everton, Di Canio showed extraordinary sportsmanship by refusing to take a goal scoring opportunity whilst the Everton Goalkeeper lay stricken with a knee injury. Fifa described the incident as “a special act of good sportsmanship”.

The Italian’s outspoken attitude and controversial views have kept him a West Ham favourite.

1 – Bobby Moore

The epitome of English class and composure, the West Ham and England captain has to be the number one fan favourite.

One of the World Cup winning three (“West Ham won the world cup”) Bobby Moore appeared 544 times in a West Ham shirt, helping the Hammers win the FA Cup and European Cup Winners Cup. He became the fulcrum of both the West Ham and England sides for the majority of his career, winning his 109^th Cap for England in a friendly against Italy in 1973.

The inspirational Moore sadly lost his battle with Cancer in February of 1993. However since his passing the Englishman’s charity and legacy has grown. He was inducted into the English football hall of fame in 2002 and captured in a statue outside the Boleyn Ground and another outside the new Wembley Stadium. In August 2008 West Ham officially retired the number 6 shirt.

His composure, skill and leadership qualities mean he has to be, without doubt, the number 1 fan’s favourite West Ham United player.