Tony Cottee

Played for West Ham 335 times scoring 145 goals in the process. A lifelong Hammers fan whose dreams came true when he scored on his debut versus Spurs on New Years Day 1983 as a 17 year old.

Transferred to Everton in 1988 for a then British transfer record fee of £2.5 million where he continued to shine. Transferred back to West Ham in September of 1994 for a second successful stint at the club. Tony made 7 appearances for England.

Tony is now working at Sky Sports where he is a well respected figure, he also works at West Ham on match days as a host in the Premier Suite and Castle Lounge.

Tony Gale

Tony began his career with Fulham before moving to West Ham in the summer of 1984 for a fee of £200,000. "Galey" went on to play 359 times for West Ham scoring 7 times.

After being released by West Ham at the end of the 1994 season Tony was training with Barnet before he got a call from the Blackburn manager Kenny Dalglish. Tony joined Blackburn and went on to win the Premiership with them in the 1995/96 season.

Known as "Reggie" (after Reg Kray) to his team mates for his wicked sense of humour.

Tony now works at Sky Sports.

Alvin Martin

Alvin arrived at West Ham as a schoolboy in the summer of 1974 and went on to make 586 appearances for the club placing him 5th in the all time appearance records.He scored 33 goals for West Ham including a hat trick against Newcastle each goal being scored against a different goalkeeper, one of whom was Peter Beardsley.

His natural leadership combined with his outstanding performances led him to make 17 appearances for England under Ron Greenwood and Sir Bobby Robson culminating in the 1986 World Cup.

"Stretch" as he is affectionately known now works for Talksport and Sky Sports.

Phil Parkes

"Parkesy" began his career at Walsall before moving to QPR where he established himself as one of the best 'keepers in the world. In February 1979 he moved to West Ham for a then world record fee for a goalkeeper of £565,000 where he is now widely regarded as the best 'keeper to wear the claret and blue.

Phil made just one appearance for England due to the presence of Clemence and Shilton but it is something he treasures greatly.

Alan Devonshire

After being spotted by Eddie Baily and Charlie Faulkner playing in the Isthmian league with Southall Ron Greenwood paid just £5,000 for Devo who went on to make a total of 441 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 32 goals along the way but setting up hundreds for the likes of Tony Cottee and David Cross amongst many others. Devo played 8 times for England and it would have been many more if it had not been for his serious knee injuries.

Alan is now manager of non league Hampton and Richmond Borough where he has led the club to promotion.

Frank McAvennie

John Lyall signed Frankie Mac for West Ham from St Mirren for £340,000 in the summer of 1985. He went on to play 186 times scoring 57 times in the process in two spells at the club. Originally signed as an attacking midfielder he became a prolific striker after he had to play up front for West Ham when Paul Goddard got injured in the first game of the 1985/86 season.

Frank became a terrace legend with his scoring exploits both on and off the field, something he reflected on in his autobiography entitled "Scoring - An Experts Guide", which is highly recommended reading. Capped 4 times for his native Scotland he also went on to play for his boyhood club Celtic.

Alan Dickens

Alan came through the famous West Ham Academy system where he won the FA Youth Cup in 1981. He made his first team debut aged just 18, scoring in a 1-2 victory at Notts County. Alan was a stylish midfielder much in the mould of Trevor Brooking.

Alan made 231 appearances for West Ham, scoring 29 goals before moving to West London to sign for Chelsea in a £600,000 deal. Dicko's biggest regret in football is leaving West Ham where his style of play was appreciated by the fans and management. Alan is now a black cab driver after he took the "Knowledge" after leaving professional football.

Ray Stewart

Affectionately known by fans and team mates alike as Tonka for his alleged heavy first touch Ray was a defender of some ability with an eye for goal especially from the penalty spot. Ray signed from Dundee United in 1979 in a deal that made him the most expensive British teenager with the £430,000 price tag that was needed to bring him south.

In a fulfilling career with West Ham Ray not only appeared in the 1985/86 team that finished third but he was also in the 1980 FA Cup Final winning team that beat Arsenal 1 - 0 thanks to a headed goal from Trevor Brooking. Ray played 431 times for the Hammers with a remarkable 84 goals scored which is surely some kind of record for a full back. He was also capped 10 times for Scotland.

Geoff Pike

Geoff was yet another player who came through the West Ham Academy for whom he appeared in the 1975 FA Youth Cup Final when West Ham lost to Ipswich. He went on to make a total of 373 appearances for the Hammers during which he scored 42 goals.

His tenacious tackling and non stop running made him popular with the fans who appreciated the effort he put in. Geoff also scored a couple of memorable goals, non more so than a bullet header from the edge of the box at Old Trafford in a 2 - 0 victory for West Ham in the 1985/86 FA Cup.

Mark Ward

Wardie was signed by John Lyall at the beginning of the 1985/86 season and he quickly became a fans favourite for his all action style and no nonsense tackling combined with his ability to set up goals for Cottee and McAvennie.

A £225,000 signing from Oldham Athletic he went on to make 203 appearances scoring 14 goals before moving on to Manchester City and then Everton.

George Parris

George Parris is yet another Academy graduate from the Hammers who made a total of 290 appearances for the club scoring 17 goals in the process. His hard working style ensured his popularity with his team mates and supporters alike and when his place was taken by the arrival of Julian Dicks George went on to play very succesfully in midfield. After leaving West Ham George moved to Birmingham City before finally retiring in 1997 froom the professional game.

Since leaving the professional ranks George has gon on to work for the Press Association and also does some coaching part time.

Neil Orr

Signed from Greenock Morton for £400,000 in January 1982 after being recommended to John Lyall by Ray Stewart. His West Ham career spanned 175 games with 5 goals.

After retiring from the professional game Neil moved to the States for 12 months to coach at summer camps before moving back to his native Scotland to become a Youth Development Officer with the Scottish FA. He has recently changed jobs and is now heavily involved with ensuring that more youngsters play football in Scotland and restoring credibility to the National team.

Paul Goddard

"Sarge" moved to West Ham in a £800,000 deal from QPR in August of 1980 which at the time was a club record for the Hammers. He made 213 appearances for the Irons in which he scored a creditable 71 goals. He also made 1 appearance for England in which he also scored. Paul moved to Newcastle for £415,000 in search of first team football.

After retiring Paul moved into coaching with Ipswich Town before returning to West Ham as assistant to both Glenn Roeder and Alan Pardew.

Bobby Barnes

Bobby Barnes won the FA Youth Cup with West Ham in 1981 and he also represented England at youth level. Like Tony Cottee Bobby scored on his first team debut but he only made a total of 29 appearances and scored a total of 4 goals before moving on to Aldershot.

After his career ended in 1996 Bobby retired and took up a post with the PFA dealing with players contracts and also giving financial advice to players where he is still working.

Steve Walford

Steve moved to West Ham from Norwich City in a £165,000 deal in 1983. He made a consistent 129 appearances for the Hammers only scoring twice. He lost his place in the side to George Parris in the 1985/86 season and after being loaned out a few times he moved on to Hong Kong to play for Lia Sun.

After retiring from professional football Steve was about to become a black cab driver when he got a call from former team mate Martin O'Neil who wanted him to become a Youth Development Officer at Wycombe Wanderers. Since the O'Neil and Walford have been a very succesful management team along with John Robertson at Leicester, Celtic and now Aston Villa.

Steve Potts

Steve Potts was developed by the West Ham Academy before going on to make a total of 493 appearances for the first team during which he scored a legendary 1 goal, a deflected shot against Hull City. One of the most underrated defenders of his day Steve was a stalwart for West Ham where he won the coveted Hammer Of The Year and filled all the derensive positions and some in midfield too.

A fantastic club servant Steve was awarded a testemonial in 1997 where nearly 13,000 fans turned up to say thanks. Steve has recently passed the "Knowledge" and joins Alan Dickens in becoming a Hammers black cab driver.

Paul Hilton

Paul Hilton moved to West Ham after John Lyall spotted something in his game after West Ham beat Hilton's Bury side 10 - 0! He went on to make a total of 65 appearances for the Hammers scoring a very creditable 7 goals from central defence before injury ended his career.

After retiring Hilts moved into coaching with when then Hammers manager Billy Bonds appointed him as a Youth Team coach before he went on to become the Reserve Team coach. Paul moved on to coach at Ipswich's Academy in 2001.

Greg Campbell

Played 5 times for West Ham before moving on to play for Plymouth Argyle in November 1988 and later Sparta Rotterdam in The Netherlands. His career at West Ham suffered a blow when he broke his jaw in a match against Watford in September of 1984 just as he broke into the first team.

On returning to the UK in 1990 he joined up with ex team mate Bobby Barnes at Northampton Town where he scored 7 times in 45 appearances before finally hanging up his boots.

John Lyall

John Lyall served West Ham as a manager and a player. He was bought into the coaching set up by Ron Greenwood after losing a 3 year fight against a serious knee injury that ended his career aged just 23. Arguably the most successful manager West Ham has ever had his record includes two FA Cup wins, a European Cup Winners Cup final loss to Anderlecht, a League Cup final loss to Liverpool after a replay and the clubs highest ever league placing of third in the 1985/86 season.

John Lyall was more than a manager to his players, he became a father figure to many of them and remained in contact with the majority of them until his untimely death in 2006. The Boys Of 86 remain in contact with John's wife Yvonne and son Murray.

John Lyall 1940 - 2006 a true gentleman