Rebels join the Hammers for a feast of footie!

 

As the city of Cork braces itself for the big match versus the visiting Premiership big boys of West Ham United, older footie fans will recall when the Hammers were heavily populated by Corkonians. During the early 1950s Cork produced a fine crop of top class players and the East London club were only too pleased snap up the talent from the Rebel  county.

 

The 1952/3 season saw the Cork contingent reach a peak with no less than four first team players at the Boleyn hailing from Cork! Noel Cantwell was establishing himself as a full back, Tommy Moroney and Frank O’Farrell patrolled the midfield, while Fred Kearns led the attacking line. In addition to these rebellious Hammers, Dubliner Danny McGowan also pitched in -  any  more and they might as well have moved the club’s base  to Ireland! One can only imagine how the musical Cork accents cut through the air at Upton Park as these teammates looked out for eachother.

 

Frank relaxes with a read of his favourite Hammers fanzine

Sadly, Only Frank O’Farrell is still with us and currently the oldest Hammer alive at 85 years.  No doubt all will be remembered at the pre-match banquet at the Silver springs tonight – see you there boy!