The formal name of the club is West Ham United Football Club, and they are known by several nicknames, the most popular of which is ‘The Hammers’. Other nicknames are ‘The Irons’ and ‘The Academy of Football’.
Founded in 1895, the squad were then known as Thames Ironworks. The Hammers train at the Boleyn ground, at their home venue, Upton park. The stadium has a capacity of just over 35,000.
The owners are David Sullivan and David Gold, both shareholders, alongwith companies called CB Holding Ltd, and Minority Investors.
West Ham are managed by Avram Grant, who came in recently after the previou manager, Gianfranco Zola, was dismissed.
The hammers have featured in all but three seasons of the Premier League. They have enjoyed greater success in the FA cup, winning it thrice, the last one in 1980.
They finished the last Premiership season in 17th position, while their highest was 5th in 1998-99.
The current campaign has got off to a horrific start for West Ham, losing all three matches played so far. They had an abject showing in their opening match against Aston Villa, losing 3-0. Therafter they lost 3-1 to Bolton and 3-0 to Manchester United.
Early Season Preview:
Early in the summer, Sullivan and Gold made known their transfer targets, and the list made impressive reading: Joe Cole, David Beckham, Ruud Van Nistelroy and Theirry Henry were all named. But that was the end of the story as none of them has signed to play for West Ham. If nothing else, the team bosses would have managed to enthuse home fans to reserve their seats at Upton Park.
The team that lost 3-0 to Manchester United comprised: Green, Gabbidon, Upson, Spector, Faubert, Ilunga, Dyer, Parker, Boa Morte, Noble, Cole, Stech, Da Costa, Barrera, Kovac, Stanislas, McCarthy, and Piquionne.
The club owners have great expectations from Scott Parker this season.
Thomas Hitzlsperger is one of the world’s most explosive strikers, but apart from his power, his game leaves something to be desired. That said, Hitzlsperger could be in the news for a sensational strike or two.
Apart from Hitzlsperger, the Hammers have also signed New Zealander Winston Reid and Mexican winger Pablo Barrera, on the back of good showings, at the World Cup, by the respective players.
Portsmouth’s Tal Ben-Haim and Frederic Piquionne have also been snared by Avram Grant from his former club.
West Ham have released striker Guillermo Franco.
The squad are relegation favourites, although they have a great manager in Grant, and some genuine talent that should have them for mid-table.
Hammers’ early results belie such optimism, though.