West Ham United is a club with a rich history in English football and has produced some of the greatest strikers the game has ever seen. Over the years, the Hammers have had some prolific goalscorers who have lit up the Premier League and the rest of English football. Here, we take a look at some of the top best all-time West Ham strikers.
Many different West Ham players have come and gone over the years. Scott Minto, Nigel Quashie, and Christian Dailly were just a few of the players who underwhelmed while wearing the claret and blue, but there were a select few who forever etched their names into West Ham lore. The ten players on this list contributed to making West Ham the powerhouse they are today, whether it was a stoppage-time goal that secured promotion or a last-ditch challenge that preserved a lead. This slideshow ranks the top eight Hammers ever based on various factors.
10. Geoff Hurst
Sir Geoffrey Charles Hurst is a former professional footballer from England. He was born on December 8th, 1941. As a forward, he holds the record as the only player to ever score a hat-trick in a World Cup final. He did so during England’s victory over West Germany at Wembley Stadium in 1966, which resulted in a 4–2 score.
Sir Geoff Hurst, one of the fiercest goal-scorers of his era, is remembered fondly by Hammers fans. Hurst spent 13 years with West Ham, winning both the FA Cup and the World Cup Winners Medal (for the 1966 season). He’s an all-time great for West Ham.
Every time he shows up at Upton Park, the crowd gives him a standing ovation. Hurst’s penalty kick against Gordon Banks in the FA Cup is a memorable moment. Not Geoff’s fault, but it’s old news that he failed to make the shot. Unfortunately for Hurst, the penalty kick was flawless, but the goalkeeper made an even better save.
9. Vic Watson
Victor Martin Watson was an English professional footballer who spent most of his career playing for West Ham United. He was born on November 10, 1897, and passed away on August 3, 1988.
English footballer Victor Watson was a West Ham United F.C. member for most of his professional career. Watson played for the national team of England. Between 1920 and 1936, he was a player for West Ham. Watson has scored 326 goals in the league and 28 goals in the FA Cup, making him the all-time leading scorer for the club. He amassed 203 league goals from 295 appearances in the premier league.
During his time with West Ham, he amassed 13 hat-tricks and four goals on three separate occasions. On February 9, 1929, he led West Ham to an 8–2 victory at home over Leeds. In 1930, he amassed the most points in the first division. In 1923, Vic Watson led West Ham to the FA Cup final, where Bolton defeated them by a score of 2-0. This match was the first ever played at the old Wembley Stadium. There is no question that Vic Watson is, without a doubt, one of the best strikers in West Ham United’s history.
8. Scott Parker
Scott Matthew Parker is an English professional football manager and a former player who played as a midfielder. He was born on the 13th of October 1980 in England. His most recent head coaching job was with AFC Bournemouth, a club that plays in the Premier League. Parker started his professional career with Charlton Athletic. He then moved on to Norwich City on loan before moving to Chelsea for a fee of ten million pounds in January of 2004. He was not given regular playing time at Chelsea, so the following year he moved to Newcastle United, where he was immediately given the role of captain.
After moving to the Hammers in 2007 from Newcastle, where he had previously played, Scott Parker was an instant hit. Since the day he joined the team until now, the hard-hitting, intelligent passing Parker has been an integral part of the team’s ability to orchestrate their midfield. The most remarkable season for Parker was this past year, even though West Ham was relegated. Despite this, Parker contributed several performances that won matches, which led to him being awarded the PFA Player of the Year award. Even though his team finished last in the league, the previous year was a blessing in disguise for Scott Parker regarding his professional development.
It is almost sure that Scotty’s legacy will live on for many years to come, and if he does decide to leave us once the transfer window opens, West Ham fans will not hold it against him in any way, shape, or form.
7. Tony Cottee
Antony Richard Cottee is an English football commentator who was formerly a professional player and manager in the sport. He was born on July 11, 1965, and his full name is Antony Richard Cottee. During his playing career, which spanned from 1982 until 2001, he was best known for his time as a striker with West Ham United, Everton, and Leicester City, all of which competed in the top division of English football. In addition to playing in the Football League for Birmingham City, Norwich City, and Millwall, he was capped seven times by the England national team. In addition, he played for Selangor in Malaysia for a while and served as the player-manager of Barnet for one season.
Tony Cottee is a football commentator who formerly played for and managed teams in the English football league. He currently works in television. Cottee, a true Hammer, debuted for the club in 1983 at 17, scoring his first goal in a match against Tottenham. During his career with the team, which spanned from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1994 to 1996, he amassed a total of 336 appearances and 146 goals. He played as a striker in the English Premier League from 1982 to 2001, most notably for West Ham United, Everton, and Leicester City. His career spanned the years 1982 to 2001.
Tony Cottee was creeping in and around the box, waiting for the right moment to pounce on his prey. His lifelong allegiance to West Ham United is something he has never denied. In 1986, he was honored with the Hammer of the Year award and the PFA Young Player of the Year award, which he received in the same year.
7. Trevor Morley
Trevor William Morley is a football manager in English football, a former professional footballer, and a pundit. He was born on March 20, 1961. As a football player, he was a striker who most notably played for Manchester City and West Ham United, both of which are in the Premier League. Additionally, he was a member of the Northampton Town and Reading football teams that competed in the Football League. He also played for the Norwegian clubs Brann and Sogndal. At the beginning of his career, he had played for a non-league team called Nuneaton Borough.
Trevor Morley is a pundit for English football and a former player and manager. He was a striker in the Premier League and played for both Manchester City and West Ham United during his career. After playing for Manchester City for six seasons between 1989 and 1995, Trevor Morley moved to the West Ham club and continued his career there. Morley again led the way for West Ham with 16 goals in 49 games during their debut season in the Premier League, which saw them finish 13th overall. In 1994, he was honored with the title of Hammer of the Year.
6. Johnny Byrne
John Joseph Byrne. He was an English professional footballer who played as a striker and was born on May 13, 1939, and passed away on October 27, 1999. Because of his constant chirping, people began to refer to him as “Budgie.” Before signing a professional contract with Crystal Palace in 1956, he was a football player for Epsom Town and Guildford City Youth, both of which competed in non-league competitions. In 1962, he signed with West Ham United, and he played for the team known as the “Hammers” for the next five years. In 1967, he returned to Crystal Palace, but he signed with Fulham the following year. In 1969, he made a move to South Africa and played for Durban City for a total of four years. Later in his career, he became a coach in South Africa and worked there for several years. In 1980, he played for Hellenic.
Johnny Byrne was a forward for the English national football team and played the striker position. Because of his constant babbling, people began to refer to him as “Budgie.” Johnny Byrne, one of the most accomplished strikers in West Ham United history, moved to the club from Crystal Palace in 1962. Byrne struggled to translate his prolific form to the First Division after being purchased for £65,000 in March 1962.
He scored once in his first eleven appearances for the club, but he eventually adjusted to life in the top flight during the 1962/1963 season. Epsom Town and Guildford City Youth were two non-league teams he played for before signing a contract to become a professional football player with Crystal Palace in 1956. In the 206 games he played in between 1962 and 1967, he amassed 108 points and 108 goals. In addition, he received the Hammer of the Year award in 1964.
5. Martin Peters
Martin Pedersen, born in Denmark on 9 October 1983, is a football player who formerly competed professionally. He was chosen to represent Denmark at the European Under-21 Championship in 2006 after playing a total of 28 games for the under-21 national team of Denmark.
When I thought of West Ham legends, one of the first names that came to mind was Martin Peters. He was a defender for the club. The man had an outstanding athletic career and was awarded a winning medal at the World Cup while competing.
Peters was referred to as “Mr. Versatile” within the dressing room, and there was a good reason for this moniker. Unbelievably, during his 11-year tenure with the Hammers, Peters played in every position on the field, including goalkeeper. This includes his time spent with the club.
He was a master of free kicks and had tremendous speed and creativity on the field. The fact that Peters played for Spurs four seasons after his time with West Ham ended is the only thing that keeps him from being ranked higher on this list.
4. Pop Robson
Bryan Stanley Robson, better known by his nickname Pop Robson, was born in England on 11 November 1945. He played as a center-forward during his career as a football player. In 674 league matches, he scored 265 goals while playing for Newcastle United, West Ham United, Sunderland, Chelsea, and Carlisle United. Additionally, he was awarded one cap for England’s under-23 team.
Pop Robson is a former center-forward for the English football team who went by Pop Robson. He played in 674 league matches for Newcastle United, West Ham United, Sunderland, Chelsea, and Carlisle United and scored 265 goals for those teams combined. When Pop Robson moved to the Hammers from Newcastle United in February 1971, the club paid a then-record fee of £120,000 to acquire his services.
Robson was a member of the Hammers on two separate occasions: the first was after he left the northeast after spending nine years on Tyneside, and the second was between 1976 and 1979. During his two stints with West Ham, Robson amassed 255 total appearances and scored 104 goals. In 1973, he was recognized as the Hammer of the League and finished as the top scorer. Additionally, he played for England at the under-23 level once.
3. Carlos Tevez
Carlos Alberto Tevez is an Argentine professional football manager and a former player. He was born in the United States of America to Spanish parents on February 5, 1984. Tevez was able to play as a striker, winger, supporting forward, or even an attacking midfielder when he was at the peak of his career. He was quick, tenacious, powerful, hard-working, and dynamic in the forward position.
I’m sure you’re wondering why this Argentine is on the list…after all, he’s the reason the club is still in a significant amount of debt. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering why this Argentine is on the list. But if you look at it from another angle, during the 2006–2007 season, if Tevez hadn’t been on the team, we likely wouldn’t have been playing football in the Championship for as long. He single-handedly rescued West Ham from the Championship League by scoring seven goals in the latter stages of the season, one of which was the game-winning goal on the final day of the season, which ensured that we would continue to compete in the Premier League.
2. Paolo Di Canio
Paolo Di Canio is an Italian football manager and player born on July 9, 1968. He played professionally in Italy. Throughout his playing career, he participated in more than 500 league games and was a forward who scored more than one hundred goals. Although his primary position was that of a deep-lying forward, he was versatile enough to play as an attacking midfielder or on the wing. Di Canio had a reputation for being temperamental despite his technical prowess.
Paolo Di Canio is an Italian football manager and player who formerly played for the national team. He participated in more than 500 league games throughout his playing career, and he was a forward who scored more than 100 goals. His primary position was as a deep-lying forward, but he could also play on the wing or as an attacking midfielder.
Likely, one of the reasons Di Canio is considered to be one of the most talented West Ham players is due to his explosive yet jovial personality. He is the most modern icon West Ham has, and he emulates the style and skill seen throughout the modern era of football’s Premier League. In 2000, Paolo Di Canio was honored with the title of Hammer of the Year. During his time with the club, he appeared in 141 games and scored 51 goals.
1. Bobby Moore
Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore OBE was an English professional footballer born on April 12, 1941 and passed away on February 24, 1993. He is best known for playing for West Ham United, where he served as captain for more than ten years. He also led England to the FIFA World Cup victory in 1966 while serving as captain of the England national team. It is generally agreed upon that he was one of the best defenders in football history, and Pelé acknowledged that he was the best defender he had ever competed against.
The obvious pick for the position of number one Hammer is not up for debate in any way. Sir Bobby Moore is currently and will always be considered the best player to don the West Ham United shirt. It is generally agreed that he was the best defender of all time, but more importantly, he lived his life as a gentleman. How he carried himself both on and off the field was impeccable, and he is the ideal person to serve as a model for any young player just starting in the league.
Moore served as captain of West Ham for a decade straight and also led England to a World Cup victory in 1966 while serving in that capacity. Moore was tasked with the seemingly impossible task of marking Pele when England played Brazil in the 1970 World Cup. Moore was up against England, and Brazil was led by the legendary player Pele. Moore could pull off an outstanding performance despite England’s failure despite the odds against him. Moore made a spectacular tackle on Jairzinho at a certain point in the game, and it is still recognized today as one of the best tackles in the annals of football’s long and illustrious history.
Bobby Moore is undoubtedly the best player in the history of West Ham United. Moore played for the club for 16 years, when they won the World Cup, and ultimately had a stand at Upton Park renamed in his honor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, West Ham United has produced some of the greatest all-time strikers in English football and has a rich history of producing top-class goalscorers. From Geoff Hurst to Paolo Di Canio, the Hammers have had some of the best goal-getters the game has ever seen, and they will always be remembered as legends of the club.
