What is your favourite era?

West Ham’s history goes right back to 1895 when the club was known as the “Thames Ironworks”, when the club was an amateur club and most of the players being employees of the Ironworks. During the past 100 years, West Ham has enjoyed the glory years during the 60s and mid 70s, the yoyo seasons and many epic matches which will live long in the memory.

While growing up, I was lucky enough to be able to watch the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand, although many Hammers fans can remember watching the likes of Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst, some of the finest players to grace the English game. It is humbling to think, that when watching matches at Upton Park, Moore was leading his Hammers team on the same patch of grass over 40 years ago.

For me, my favourite Hammers era was when the likes of Di Canio and Cole were in the starting line-up, two of my favourite all time players. In particular, the 2001-02 season was one which stays fond in the memory. The Hammers finished 7^th even though they endured a dismal start to the season. However under inexperienced manager Glenn Roeder, the Hammers went on a run of great form and ended up just missing out on European football.

The “noughties” was a tough era for the Hammers, with the Irons enduring a “yoyo” experience. One moment we looked as if we were really establishing ourselves in the Premier League and could perhaps reignite the form that we enjoyed in the 60s and then a poor run of form would lead to the inevitable relegation battle. From the FA Cup final against Liverpool, to the Playoff final victory over Preston, the noughties gave us some real excitement and some real despair and anguish.

For me, unfortunately, the only real Hammers era I have lived in and experienced is the yoyo noughties. But what is the fondest Hammers era for you? Did you get to see the likes of Moore and Hurst? Who’s the greatest player you have seen at Upton Park? Tweet me @Tolly Coburn