Growing up as a West Ham fan over the last 25+ years, I’ve had many heroes. The likes of Paolo Di Canio, Frank McAvennie Ludo Miklosko and Carlos Tevez are all obvious but what about those we took a shine to for reasons we can’t explain, or that few others did. And the forgotten heroes who in hindsight were valuable assets to the side. I give you five that will always be popular in my eyes and who’s memories will always raise a smile.
1. Ian Bishop
Not the quickest player, but a man who had vision to play the difficult pass in a seemingly easy manner. Also had the ability to shoot, and score, from distance though not anything like prolific. Bad hair aside the one word I’d use to describe Bishop would be ‘cultured.’
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2. Marc Rieper
At a time when ‘Super’ Slaven Bilic was grabbing more headlines in the centre of defence, Grim, as he was affectionately known, quietly went about his business alongside him with a cool demeanour. Not always the prettiest of defenders, but definitely one of our most reliable from past years.
3. Ian Pearce
My respect for this man is off the chart. The main reason is he played where he was asked and the role he was asked to perform. He wasn’t the most skilful, but he was one of the most solid. One game that sticks out was a 3-0 win over Leeds. Pearce scored the third from an unrecognised wide midfield role. As part of the deal that took him to Fulham we got Andy Melville. Something seems wrong with that statement.
4. Jimmy Walker
Not just full of character and charisma that shone through. Not just an honest professional who seemed grateful to be there. But a quality goalkeeper who when drafted in for Stephen Bywater took his opportunity with both hands. Unlike Bywater he kept both hands on it and was one of the main reasons Alan Pardew got us promoted via the playoffs.
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5. Sebastien Schemmel
I know he won Hammer Of The Year and was massively popular with all us Hammers fans. I also know that the following season his form dipped alarmingly. However, my reasons will be different than most. After a friendly versus Bournemouth in 2003, Schemmel pretended to be a bus driver and invited me on the team coach. Add the fact that he also now owns a restaurant in Luxembourg called ‘Upton Park’ with the crossed hammers on the sign and Seb’s a certifiable legend.
That’s my list of five unlikely heroes. There were other names I could have mentioned such as Rufus Brevett, Stan Lazaridis and David Connolly, but the five listed will always, for one reason or another, bring back great memories that are particular to me. I would however be interested in hearing other forgotten heroes.
Paul Hilton (Honey Monster) always did a great job whenever needed
I can just about remember the time Schemmel gave my his shin-pads after a match when I was very young. We were sat near the tunnel entrance, and at the end of the game he came straight up to us and said I could have them (sweat and all). He has since remained my favourite ever player.
Ian Bishop for me is a personal all time top 5!! He was a joy to watch. Intelligent, graceful, class. He was the player i tried to emulate when i played. He stitched the team together. He was the cherry on the cake. He got the team ticking. He wasnt tall, or physical, or fast. He was what i would love to see in Mark Noble. Raking cross field passes, threading through balls, creating chances, delightful edge of the area chips. .. i had a season ticket in the chicken run with my old man in those days. precious days ill never forget.
When people mention the “west ham way” i think of him before most others.
“Super Tom” Repka! Not the prettiest, not the best, but he sweated blood for the Claret and Blue.
Excellent list! Bish, Pearcey and Rieps woulda all made mine too! I loved that mid 90s era – Mad dog, Matty Holmes, Hutch. Great memories!!
George parris! Don’t know why was hugly popular with fans! Always gave 100%!
Good to see bish get a mention. Would be in my top five
Gary O’Neil always gave 100% too
Tomas Repka and johnny moncur B-)
Joey obrien ,Hayden Mullins both solid reliable players not the best technically but give it there all when they are on the pitch
Hayden mullins..NO from what I can remember all he did was a lot of jogging
Stewart Robson,,,, Tim Breaker,,,, mark ward,,,
Trevor Morley, Stuart Slater and Peter Butler would all be in with a shout from me.
Trevor always got the goals we needed and was a vastly under rated player.
Slater came through during a barren spell for the club in terms of performance and academy. I will always remember the cup game he tore Everton apart in. As a kid I stayed up late to watch the highlights.
Yorkshire terrier Butler was a 100% player that never got a chance when we got promoted.
I’d also add Mark Robson and Kevin Keen who were both instrumental in our promotion in the late 80’s/early 90’s. scored double digits each if I recall, with Butler and Mad Dog in the middle. Great days!!
I still cannot personally forget:
Matthew Rush – a fleeting Hammer at the Boleyn with a relatively short stay and every time he got the ball he ran it quicker than anyone else in the league down the wing. My excitement was uncontainable every time he did it. Then all of a sudden he left us and I still think we could do with him today!
Oh, and John Moncur – too exciting for words both on and off the pitch!
M
Geoff Pike, Keith Robson, Johnny McDowell and the legend that was Jimmy Jimmy Neighbour.
Never forget Geoff Pikes header from outside the box against man utd on the Sunday match
Good shout with Moncs, he’s here, he’s there, he’s every f*kin where… Jon Moncur, Jon Moncur…!
I’m full of man love for the Bish as you will be aware from a couple of my previous articles!
Kevin keen, mark robson, mad dog, Peter butler, matt holmes, tony gale, brother alvin
Have to agree with a lot of the comments. my top 5 would be Bishop, Lomas, Pearce, Lazaridis and Repka. I think all of these didnt always get the credit they deserved. I’ll give top spot to Repka because he is an unlikely hero, he was often highlighted for errors but the majority of them were him diving in trying valiantly to cover for other defenders (Song) who were well out of position. Lomas has tainted himself a little by managing some part-timers no-one has heard of.