Dragon Feeds
Top 10 West Ham Players of All Time
West Ham United have given fans immense joy by playing enjoyable football and here we learn about the top 10 West Ham players of all time.
10. Billy Bonds
If you’re going to put together a list like this, you should start with a bang. What better way to get things started than by mentioning the best West Ham player of all time. They don’t come much better than Billy, who has 21 years of playing experience, 799 appearances, four years as a manager, and a stand at the London Stadium dedicated after him.
9. Frank Lampard(Senior)
Given that Lampard was born just down the road in East Ham on September 20, 1948, there was only one club where he could have made his impact. He joined the Hammers’ academy and made his debut against Manchester City when he was 19 years old. As they say, the rest is history. Frank Lampard senior was a left-back with West Ham United for the majority of his career.
He was twice a member of the England national team and is the father of former Chelsea player Frank Lampard. He departed the club on a free transfer at the end of the 1984–85 season after 18 years with the club, 660 games played, and 22 goals scored. He had already established himself as one of West Ham United’s finest players.
8. Paolo Di Canio
Di Canio would give his best whenever he put on a West Ham shirt, or any other club shirt for that matter. His explosive but fun-loving nature is undoubtedly the reason he is usually considered one of West Ham’s best players. He only stayed at Upton Park for a brief period compared to the others on this list, but he still has a place in West Ham history.
Di Canio is West Ham’s modern icon, emulating the flair and talent that has characterised the Premier League and international acquisitions in the current era of football.
His talent was apparent, as seen by his appearances for footballing heavyweights like Lazio, Juventus, and AC Milan. Di Canio’s time at West Ham was a big success; the passion and emotion he gave to the squad instantly made him a fan favourite, and he seemed to fall in love with the supporters just as fast.
7. Julian Dicks
Few players since Roberto Carlos have coupled the merciless, tough-tackling style that spectators love to witness with an obviously nasty left-foot. His tough-guy image frequently overshadowed the fact that he was a fantastic footballer who scored 50 goals for West Ham.
Dicks could go down the left flank as threateningly as Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale does now, and if he was allowed enough space on the outskirts of the box, he would not be hesitant to unleash a thundering drive at goal. Between 1990 and 1997, he was named West Ham’s player of the year four times.
It’s also disputed if West Ham has ever had a better penalty taker than Dicks, whose thunderous shot was virtually reproduced from 12 yards, making him the finest left-back the club has ever had. He is largely considered as one of West Ham United’s finest footballers of all time.
6. Sir Trevor Brooking
Winning has never been a strong suit for West Ham, but with Sir Trev on board, everything looked conceivable.
Brooking, one of England’s best offensive midfielders – at least of his period – exuded class and played a key part in helping a then-Second Division Hammers beat Arsenal in the 1980 FA Cup final despite the odds.
West Ham are yet to unearth another player as gifted as he was 40 years after that incredible achievement.
5. Alvin Martin
Alvin began his career as a child with Merseyside team Everton, but quit in 1973 after the Goodison Park club only gave him a part-time apprenticeship, claiming that he “would never kick a ball for them again.” Following an unsuccessful trial with Queens Park Rangers later that summer, he was offered a contract with West Ham United the next day.
Alvin went on to make 586 first-team appearances for the Hammers during a remarkable 19-year career at Upton Park, where he was one of just two players to get two testimonies, along with Billy Bonds. Martin also scored a hat-trick in Newcastle’s 8-1 victory.
4. Vic Watson
Watson has 326 goals for the club, including 298 league goals and 28 FA Cup goals. From 295 games in the Premier League, he scored 203 goals. He scored six goals in an 8-2 home win over Leeds on February 9, 1929, four goals on three occasions, and 13 hat-tricks throughout his time at West Ham.
Sir Geoff Hurst, with 249 goals, is the only player who has come close to Watson’s record. Vic Watson led West Ham to the FA Cup final in 1923, but the Hammers were defeated 2-0 by Bolton in the first-ever game at Wembley Stadium.
Watson joined West Ham from Wellingborough Town in 1920 for a price of only £50. Watson’s name will go down in West Ham United legend.
3. Alan Devonshire
Alan Devonshire, better known as ‘Dev’ to West Ham supporters, might have been one of the best England wingers of the 1980s if it hadn’t been for a series of major injuries.
He was not simply a quick, deft player, but he was also a people’s player who genuinely understood what it meant to play for West Ham, immersing himself in the home crowd by taking the London Underground to games.
Devonshire is still largely considered West Ham’s finest ever buy, because of his positive attitude and hardworking values. It’s difficult to disagree with a price tag of £5,000 on something like this.
2. Phil Parkes
Phil Parkes was one of the best goalkeepers in the world in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with one of the best moustaches you’ll ever see. In 1979, West Ham paid £565,000 for his services, making him the most expensive goalie in the world.
It was a decision the Hammers would not be sorry for, as he went on to become a legendary goalkeeper. Despite his outstanding performances at the club level, he only made one appearance for England.
1. Geoff Hurst
Geoff may be most known to football fans around the world for his role in England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team, but he is much more to West Ham fans. He scored 249 goals for West Ham United, making him one of the finest players in the club’s history.
Three-time Hammer of the Year, he was instrumental in West Ham’s first-ever FA Cup triumph in 1964. Sir Geoff Hurst was included in the ‘The Champions’ statue outside the Boleyn pub at Upton Park in 2003, with West Ham and England icons Bobby Moore and Martin Peters.
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In 1968, he was chosen to the UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament, and in 2004, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.
Arsenal Dragon
Renee Slegers Confirms The Position Arsenal Women Are Looking To Sign a Player From in January Transfer Window
Renee Slegers has confirmed Arsenal will sign a goalkeeper in January after revealing Daphne van Domselaar will miss the remainder of 2025 with a quad tendon issue, leaving the club relying on debutant Anneke Borbe and teenager Amy Liddiard.
The Arsenal boss made the admission during Friday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s clash with Liverpool, where summer signing Borbe will make her full debut with 17-year-old Liddiard providing backup from the bench.
Van Domselaar requires an injection for her quad tendon problem and won’t return until the new year, compounding Arsenal’s goalkeeper crisis. Manuela Zinsberger is already out for the season after rupturing her ACL in October, one of 17 players across the WSL to suffer knee injuries during that month alone.
“We Need Three Goalkeepers Available”
Asked directly if Arsenal want to sign a goalkeeper in January, Slegers didn’t hesitate. “Yes, definitely, because Manu is out and Daphne has been managing issues, so we’re definitely looking,” she said.
“We’re definitely looking at that position because we think we need a really strong goalkeeper union with three goalkeepers available and we’re not in that situation at the moment so we’ll have to solve that for the second half of the season.”
Arsenal have also been linked with Swedish right-back Smilla Holmberg as they look to strengthen multiple positions during the winter window.
Chloe Kelly Adds to Injury Woes
The goalkeeper situation isn’t Arsenal’s only injury concern for Saturday’s noon kick-off. Chloe Kelly suffered a knee injury on England duty against Ghana on Tuesday and will miss the Liverpool match. Like van Domselaar, Kelly could be unavailable until the new year.
Katie Reid and Michelle Agyemang (on loan at Brighton) have also suffered season-ending ACL injuries this campaign, highlighting the brutal injury toll Arsenal have endured.
Slegers Dismisses Dressing Room “Unrest” Reports
Slegers was also asked about The Athletic’s report claiming the dressing room has been “splintered for many years” with some players “wielding significant influence” and underlying tension between squad members.
The Arsenal boss firmly rejected the narrative. “We won the Champions League, historically we are the most successful club in England, there is noise on the outside, there will always be noise, but on the inside we know what we are doing,” she responded.
“I didn’t agree with it and I think it is unfortunate that this is what is written about us while we are doing so many good things and a lot of people invested in the process.”
Also read: Arsenal Women vs. Liverpool Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Manchester United
Manchester United Women vs. West Ham United Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
Manchester United Women return to WSL action on Sunday looking to end a two-game losing streak when they host struggling West Ham United at Leigh Sports Village.
Sunday’s 12:00 GMT kick-off marks United’s first league fixture since the November international break, following back-to-back defeats to Manchester City (3-0) and Wolfsburg (5-2 in the Champions League). Marc Skinner’s side sit third in the WSL table but will be desperate to get back to winning ways before a congested December schedule.
West Ham arrive second from bottom with just one win all season, a 3-1 victory over Everton before the break. Manager Rehanne Skinner’s side have yet to keep a clean sheet this campaign, while their recent 2-0 League Cup defeat to Portsmouth suggests defensive fragility remains a major concern.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United Women (4-2-3-1): Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Janssen, Sandberg; Miyazawa, Toone; Park, Zigiotti Olme, Terland; Rolfo
West Ham United Women (4-3-3): Musovic; Patten, Fisk, Houssein, Shimizu; Atkinson, Gorry, Smith; Asseyi, Stengel, Kapi
Tullis-Joyce Returns as Skinner Demands Improvement
The major team news sees Phallon Tullis-Joyce available for selection after missing three matches with a fractured eye socket. “Phallon is ready. Phallon has been training the last few days, so Phallon will be available for selection,” Skinner confirmed Friday.
Millie Turner remains unavailable but could return later this month before the winter pause. Celin Bizet Donnum has announced she’s expecting her first child in 2026, with Skinner offering his congratulations.
Skinner’s Tactical Message
The United boss has challenged his players to improve in both penalty areas after consecutive defeats without scoring. “I want us to be better in both boxes, the little details; defend effectively, are we in the right positions at the right times with the right aggression and then I want to see the front-line invading,” Skinner said.
He acknowledged West Ham’s attacking threat despite their league position, highlighting their dangerous front three. “Their front-three can unpick any defence. They have such quality in the way that they interact, so you’ve got to be really focused when defending against them.”
Kick-off: 12:00 PM Sunday, December 7, 2025
Venue: Leigh Sports Village
TV: Sky Sports Mix (UK)
Also read: Manchester United Skipper Continues Impressive England Run With Commanding Display Against Ghana
Tottenham Hotspur Women welcome Aston Villa Women to Brisbane Road on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in their final home game of the calendar year.
Spurs enter the fixture 5th in the WSL table with 16 points, while Villa sit 8th with 10 points, setting up an important mid-table battle.
Kick-off: 12:00 UK / 14:00 GMT
Venue: Brisbane Road (BetWright Stadium)
Competition: Barclays Women’s Super League – Round 10
Broadcast: Sky Sports+ / WSL YouTube
Form Guide
Tottenham have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025–26 season but come into this match looking to regain momentum. They remain firmly in top-half contention with 16 points from their opening nine league games.
Aston Villa have endured a mixed campaign. With 10 points from eight matches, they sit 8th but have shown competitive performances away from home and remain capable of troubling any side on their day.
Historically, the fixture has been evenly balanced, with six wins each and five draws across all competitive meetings.
Team News
As of December 6, neither club has released an official injury report or confirmed squad list for this fixture.
Aston Villa have also not publicly confirmed any major absences.
Because no official lists are available yet, all lineup information remains predicted rather than confirmed.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Women (4-2-3-1):
Kop; Nildén, Hunt, Bartrip, Morris; Summanen, Ahtinen; Holdt, Spence, Naz; Thomas
Aston Villa Women (4-2-3-1):
D’Angelo; Maritz, Patten, Turner, Pacheco; Staniforth, Nobbs; Hanson, Dali, Daly; Lehmann
Match Outlook
With both sides looking to close out the year positively, this fixture has the makings of a tight and competitive meeting.
Tottenham’s strong home form and stable core squad could give them the edge. Aston Villa, however, have proven difficult to break down on the road and have the attacking quality to make this a challenging afternoon.
A narrow Spurs victory or a tense draw appears the most likely outcome.
Also read: Arsenal Women vs. Liverpool Women: Predicted Lineups + Match Preview
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