A hot topic for debate for many a West Ham fan is who would be in their all time dream team. I've decided to tackle this head on and list what I perceive to be my all time West Ham team. Enjoy!
Goalkeeper - An obvious choice for this place would be Phil Parkes however having never watched him play and rather than jumping on the band wagon, I'm going to put David James at the head of this dream team. James made 68 league appearances in a West Ham shirt after signing from Aston Villa for £3.5million in 2001. A fantastic shot stopper and outstanding in one-v-one situations James remains one of the best goalkeepers to ever of played in England. A tall commanding figure and a great leader of people James remains in my opinion the best goalkeeper West Ham have had in the last decade.
Right Back - A player I've never seen wear the West Ham shirt as he left the club 4 years before I was born but after expansive research, the right back role can go to none other than Ray Stewart. Over a 12 year West Ham career Steward made 345 league appearances for West Ham scoring 62 league goals in the process. Impressive or what? John Lyall raised a few eyebrows it would seem when he signed Stewart in 1979 however his purchase was rightly justified when Stewart became an "East End idol". With a "sledgehammer" right foot it was evident to see why Ray was so successful, strong in the tackle and with a fantastic shot he quickly won himself a place in Hammer's hearts and became the penalty king of Upton Park.
Centre Back- Two words: Bobby Moore. Arguably the best defender ever, he made an astonishing 544 appearances in a West Ham shirt scoring league 24 goals in the process. A stalwart in defence described by the great Pele as "the greatest defender I have ever played against" Moore also captained West Ham to their World Cup win in '66. Like what I did there? Moore over his career made 108 caps for England ranking him among the most capped England players of all time. Regarded as the greatest ever Hammer, Moore also led West Ham to an FA Cup triumph in 1964 and a European Cup Winners Cup in 1965. With a stand named after him at Upton Park it is evident that he will never be forgotten in the memories of Hammers fans. A model professional who has never been anywhere near to closely being replaced at Upton Park and I believe never he never will. Described as "football royalty" by Tony Gale, even after his early death Moore remains the King at Upton Park. A truly remarkable footballer.
Centre Back - A player I know very little about but following my research simply has to be included on this dream team. Alvin Martin was at West Ham for 20 years making 469 league appearances in the process and scoring 27 goals. A rock at the back he won a lot of things in his time at Upton Park most memorably the 1980 FA Cup final against Arsenal. Described as a "pure genius" and a "fantastic captain" by Tony Cottee it is evident to see that Martin has many admirers at Upton Park. His fantastic West Ham form rewarded with 17 England caps and who is still regarded as one of the best defenders to of ever walked the planet, Martin deserves to partner Bobby Moore at the heart of this dream team defence.
Left Back - Only one winner for the left back role enter Julian Dicks. A stare that "terrified a thousand wingers" and a tackle that would probably see him banned for life in the modern game, Dicks was the complete left back. Dicks who has two stints at the club made 262 appearances in total scoring an incredible 50 league goals in the process. Not a bad goal scoring record for a left back eh? A left foot that when unleashed would rocket into the net he just about had it all. Dicks sadly never played for England but he definitely had the potential to play for his country. Perhaps he was considered too much of a risk? Who knows. All I know is that he is so far the greatest left back to of worn the West Ham shirt.
Right Midfield - A difficult one but in my opinion Trevor Sinclair just about pips Martin Peters. Having grown up watching Sinclair boss the right hand side of West Ham's midfield this spot in the dream team has to go to him. A decent return of 37 goals in 177 league appearances throughout his West Ham career and arguably one of the most adaptable players to of graced the English game, Sinclair could just about play anywhere. Described as "quick, strong, good in the air and a good footballing brain" by his former team mate Scott Minto, it was evident that Sinclair had many admirers. Rewarded with 9 England call ups for his fine form for West Ham, Sinclair made it on the biggest stage of them all, the World Cup in 2002. He impressed, looked the part and was taking players on and looked fantastic, a terrific advert for the English game. Perhaps remembered most among West Ham fans for his role in the Di Canio goal against Wimbledon, "Tricky Trev" was a fantastic right winger and I feel has never truly been replaced at Upton Park.
Centre Midfield - Another obvious choice, Trevor Brooking. Over his career Brooking made an astonishing 528 league appearances for West Ham scoring 88 league goals in the process. Over a career that spanned 19 years, Brooking is to West Ham what Dalglish is at Anfield or Bobby Charlton at Old Trafford. As John Lyall once said "you simply don't replace people like him". Equally as good on either foot Brooking had established himself as the creative force in the middle of West Ham's midfield and England's. Brooking's most important goal for West Ham was scored against Arsenal in the 1980 cup final where his header won the game. A player who in my mind hasn't and will never be replaced at Upton Park. Brooking eventually ended his 19 year West Ham career on 14th May 1984 infront of thousands of emotional West Ham fans. Another great who will never, ever be forgotten at Upton Park.
Centre Midfield - In what may seem a weird choice to some of you having considered the teams dynamics and taking into effect that I have actually seen him play the second centre midfield slot has to go to Scott Parker. In my opinion the best player at West Ham in the last five seasons along with Rob Green attempted to keep West Ham up last season by themselves. A player who on his day is classy has never failed to impress me in a West Ham shirt. A player who can score as well as defend is the perfect foil for Brooking in this dream team midfield. At the time of writing Parker is still a West Ham player and with a bit of luck will continue his trade at Upton Park next season. A player who has matured with age and transformed himself into a regular England international with performances of the highest quality for club. A man who is willing to put up a fight for the sake of his team and a player who will be sorely missed if he does leave Upton Park.
Left Midfield - Again not an obvious choice but I feel that Joe Cole is the best left midfielder I have ever seen at Upton Park. I was born way after the great Alan Devonshire left the club therefore I've never seen him play. So Cole gets Left Mid in this dream team. At just 16 Cole was hailed "The New Gazza" as he was described as "England's Great Hope" another prime example of the media putting too much pressure on a young lad's shoulders however, Cole delivered. As skilful off the ball as he was on it Cole had a fantastic ability and it was clear to see. With a cracking left foot Joe scored some memorable goals for the club and in the 2002-2003 season Roeder eventually gave Cole the chance to captain the Hammers in place of the absent Di Canio. The shimmies, the tricks and the skill were evident in Cole from a young age and he eventually left Upton Park for Chelsea. Although in many people's eyes Cole has never truly fulfilled his potential, he remains to me to certainly be the best left midfielder I've ever seen wear the West Ham shirt.
Centre Forward - A close run thing but for his sheer class and brilliance it has to be Di Canio. OK I admit I was never going to pick anyone else. The goal against Wimbledon in my opinion is the Greatest Goal ever scored in the Premiership. The man had skill, pace and a vision to die for and as Redknapp once quoted "Paolo is one of the best players I have ever seen". When he signed he was considered a risk following his rather shameful shove on referee Paul Alcock which saw his suspended for 11 matches. Voted Hammer of the Year in 2000 and a massive influence in our League high 5th place - Di Canio will never be forgotten by the fans. A fantastic return of 48 league goals in 118 appearances averages a goal every 2.5 games which in my mind is a pretty decent return. Di Canio remained at the club until 2003 where he had a very public row with then manager Glenn Roeder and was dropped from the first team. Roeder fell ill and was replaced towards the end of the season with Brooking who offered Di Canio with a return to the first team and he didn't disappoint scoring a 89th minute equaliser to draw with Chelsea. However the goal was not enough and we were relegated. Di Canio's years of service seemingly forgotten he was released on a free at the end of the season. A player who I feel we have never been able to replace and easily one of the best forwards to grace English football.
Centre Forward - Another easy one, Geoff Hurst. Hurst made an amazing 411 appearances for West Ham scoring and equally impressive 180 league goals in the process. With a FA Cup, European Cup Winners Cup and a League Cup runners up medal under his belt he went to the 1966 World Cup where he truly cemented himself among the greats. Hurst remains the first and to date the only player to of ever scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final. An incredible scoring record in the FA Cup (23 goals in 26 games) along with another very impressive record in the League Cup (43 goals in 46 games) sees his totally tally for West Ham goals rise to 248 goals in 498 appearances averaging at roughly a goal every two games. Impressive or what? Described as a "pleasure to work with" and a "world class striker" by former manager Ron Greenwood it's easy to see why Hurst has so many admirers.
