In the week that
Scotland opted to forego independence and remain within the disUnited Kingdom,
we reflect on the relationship East London’s finest have had with the men from
far North, and consider the greatest tartan Hammers.
In goals, the ever
dependable Bobby Ferguson, who arrived at the Boleyn for a world record
transfer fee in 1967, and served up until Phil Parkes arrived in 1979. 240
appearances for the Hammers – including one as a winger! Top class Hammer.
The back four
includes Ray Tonka Stewart, who also serves as chief penalty taker. A solid
right back who is a true Hammers legend. Also from the boys of '86 is Neil Orr, while
the centre back berths are filled by SuperChristian Dailly – a loyal servant
indeed, and Malky ‘Oops did I press
send!?’ Mackay, once an apparent shoe-in for the Hammers manager role but
now very much an outside bet.
Midfield is ‘interesting’,
with Dirty Don Hutchison alongside the pacey winger Jimmy Andrews of 1950s fame
(who played 120 games with 21 goals between 1951-6) and Nigel Quashie – perhaps
Alan Curbishley’s least impressive signing in 2007 and who struggled to break
in to a Hammers side that was itself struggling. Injuries and the emergence of
Collison et al ended his time at Upton Park and he returned to his beloved QPR.
He is still active as player manager of Icelandic side Bolungarvik.
Up Front, first up
there’s the volatile David Speedie, who had a short stint at the Boleyn but made
a vital contribution to our 1993 promotion scoring 4 goals in 11 games whilst
on trial. Then there’s the amusingly-named John Dick – considerably less amusing
to opponents during his 364 game acreer for West Ham between 1953 and 1962
during which he notched 176 goals making him West Ham’s third highest scorer of
all time! Finally, to top it off, Frank McAvennie. There is no need for any
description of Macca’s exploits apart from to say that he is a massive Hammer’s
legend of considerable scoring prowess both on and off the field of play!
How would such a
team fare against the current Hammers? A decent defence, albeit seriously
lacking pace, and a potent attack, but the midfield lacks bite and would
struggle to hold any decent level of possession. Ferguson would undoubtedly be
mighty busy!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to comment - bad language is strictly forbidden and please refrain from any nasty 'isms'