5. UEFA Cup Qualification – Signed for the club in January 1999 for a fee of 1.7 million (how times have changed). Having played previously for Sheffield Wednesday, Celtic, and a host of Italian clubs, Di Canio helped West Ham push for 5th in the league, which got the club qualified for European competition. The forward would go on to score 48 league goals for West Ham in 118 appearances.
4. Winner against Chelsea – In 2003, with West Ham struggling to stay up, Di Canio scored the winner against Chelsea in what would have kept the club in the Premier League had they not drawn the following game 2-2 against Birmingham (with Di Canio scoring the equaliser on that occasion). Here is a video of his interview after scoring that winner against Chelsea: [youtube PQO0fNzVgcg]
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3. West Ham Tattoo – In a display of immense loyalty to a club he still professes his love towards, the forward had the club’s crest tattooed on his upper left arm. The skin deep ink doesn’t even scratch the surface of the passion this man has for a club he gave his blood, sweat, and tears for. Always a welcome sight at Upton Park and a lifelong fan, he has stated on more than one occasion that he would like to manage the club.
2. 2001 FIFA Fair Play Award – In December of 2000, West Ham were playing against Everton. With the Irons pressing the Everton goal, keeper Paul Gerrard came out to the left edge of his box to make a clearance whereupon he twisted his knee and stayed down in pain while the ball came back to a West Ham player who crossed the ball back to the centre of the 18 yard box where Di Canio was waiting. However, rather than scoring on an open goal like he most certainly could have, the explosive forward caught the ball in both hands and gestured towards the injured keeper so that Gerrard could receive proper treatment. The referee halted the game and the action was applauded by both sets of supporters, players, and eventually the global football community. A man who has such a long highlight reel of goal scoring has to have this moment included, as it perfectly showcases the quality of man he is, not just the quality player we all know he was. One of the outstanding moments in the Premier League. [youtube EWdf5ZLbtYo]
1. Goal of the Decade – Playing against Wimbledon in March 2000, the legendary forward scores a volley on the far right of the area after a cross was rifled in from the opposite flank. The timing of the run alone was exceptional, but the solid contact on the ball and the placement of the shot made this goal a true beauty as it went across the face of goal and into the side netting. Voted as the BBC Goal of the Decade for 2000 – 2010, it must surely be a candidate for the best goal in Premier League history. A real cracker. [youtube 63czdUW]
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There are so many DiCanio moments, l was fortunate enough to meet the man, he’s in my top 5 West Ham players of all time. In the same season he scored the winner against Chelsea, he scored a spectacular goal versus them at Stamford bridge, I was there that day, with my mate who’s a die in the hole Chelsea fan, surrounded by Chelsea fans and every fibre of my being wanted to leap up with delight, but had to contain myself…..what a player…………COYI ‘><'
Point 4 – we would have been relegated whatever the result against Birmingham. Try and get your facts right.