Football like everyday life is widespread with untruths. Some of these untruths have been developed through misguidance rather than deliberate deceit. Over the years there have been many myths and fabrications concerning West Ham United football club. This article will seek to name five myths and untruths linked to West Ham.
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- Scott Parker West Ham Captain
During the forgettable 2010-2011 season, the media often labelled Scott Parker as the club captain of West Ham, when in fact he was not. Parker was the vice captain to Matthew Upson. Although majority of West Ham fans did wish that Parker was the captain, the central midfielder’s leadership on the pitch led the media to believe he was the captain of the team, even when Upson was playing.
- Is the ‘West Ham way’ a myth?
Over the years, West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has been criticised for his style of play. When he was appointed West Ham manager, many fans and journalists questioned whether his style of football would be suitable for West Ham. When reporters questioned Big Sam about the ‘West Ham way’, he responded by saying “If the West Ham way is losing I don’t want to be involved in it.” Over the last twenty years the ‘West Ham way’ has not been seen at the Boleyn Ground. However this does not mean it did not exist. The ‘West Ham way’ was rooted in simplicity, slick football, passing the ball along the ground, entertaining the crowd and most importantly, a deep commitment to the team. This blend of football was pioneered by the club’s two legendary managers: Ron Greenwood and John Lyall. The ‘West Ham way’ is not a myth. It is a style of football that the club played yester year and the club have since abandoned it. The ‘West Ham way’ needs to be abandoned for a while as the club seeks to bounce back from relegation.
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- Shevchenko almost signed for the Hammers.
This story has gained an urban-myth status in the East End of London. Back in 1994, Harry Redknapp was sent two East European youngsters for a trail, one of them being eighteen year old Andriy Shevchenko. After staying at the club for a few weeks, Harry decided not to sign him because the club could not afford him. Shevchenko went on to become one of Europe’s prolific goal scorers. Although the Ukrainian’s goal scoring record for Kiev and AC Milan was very impressive, his record for Chelsea in the Premier League was poor. Perhaps Harry knew Shevchenko would not suit the Premier League and made the right decision not to sign him.
- Marco Boogers and the Caravan Myth
Marco Boogers joined West Ham from Sparta Rotterdam in 1995. On his second appearance for the club he was sent off almost immediately coming on as a substitute. As a result he was suspended for four matches and the Caravan myth emerged. During his suspension The Sun newspaper was claiming that Boogers was suffering from depression and had been found on a mobile home site in Holland. The Clubcall reporter questioned West Ham’s travel arranger concerning the news about Boogers. He told the Clubcall reporter that he had not booked any flights for Boogers and that “if he has gone back to Holland, he’s probably gone by car again.” The reporter misheard the sentence and stated on Clubcall that the club’s travel arranger had said “If he’s gone back to Holland, he’s probably gone to his caravan.” The following day, the back page headline of The Sun newspaper was: ‘Barmy Boogers Living In A Caravan’. The Boogers Caravan story developed into one of the most bizarre urban-myths at West Ham.
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- James Tompkins
Nice and simply. Its James Tomkins not Tompkins.
I love your 5th point, that’s been annoying me as well!
Shevcenko never had a trial here
he said so himself while at Chelsea
Harry either confused him with someone else in hios book
Or with Redknapp maybe he’s just lying, Harry never was one to let something like truth get in the way of a funnny story
The WHU way….we play on the floor, we play floor etc… I bet the majority of those singing last season have never seen us play on the floor successfully!
I can remember standing the chicken run and hearing the wags give Frank Lampard (senior) stick because we were losing again
Sam has put fight into the team and a work ethic that was badly needed. I was sick to death of paying my dosh to go and see a bunch of wasters not fit to wear the shirt
When he was appointed I wasn’t too impressed but fair play to the bloke he made us a team last year that was hard to beat and we went each week feeling we were going to win
Back in the PL it won’t be the same but at least if we lose it won’t be for the lack of trying. Get behind the big bloke and support him because whether you like it or not he has been the best Manager since ‘Arry
COYI
Nice article, very true about “the West Ham Way” we can worry about a slick passing game when the club is stabilised. Football is evolving and at times we do play the long game but at least we have a plan and we can mix it up, I did at times see us playing some cracking football last season albeit in 20 minute spells and not often enough. I am happy building foundations for the future than worrying about how aesthetically pleasing our style is.
The West Ham way-to lose the FA cup against liverpool on pens, when they could not beat us in open play. Do you think sam would allow that much room in the last mins of a final.
6. – The Club Spent £9m on Savio
The one that frequently irritates me.
The fee could have eventually risen to £9m if various triggers were met. I think for £9m we would have had to qualify for Champions League football with Savio scoring 20 odd goals.
We most likely broke even when he went for the equivalent of £2-3m