A poor start to the season saw home defeats by 4–1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers and 6–1 to Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers were now bottom of the table and for the Liverpool game manager Ron Greenwood moved wing-half Geoff Hurst to the forward line. This move was the start of Hurst becoming one of the world’s deadliest strikers. Although he did not score in the 1–0 win, Hurst looked a natural. The following Saturday away to Manchester City the Hammers beat their fellow strugglers 6–1. Now in improved form, Blackburn Rovers were beaten 4–0 at Ewood Park followed by a 5–0 demolition of Birmingham City, where Johnny Byrne scored twice.

Byrne was on hand with a hat-trick in the League Cup as Plymouth Argyle were beaten 6–0 at home, but the trip to Rotherham in the next round brought a 3–1 defeat. Three forwards were transferred out, with Johnny Dick leaving for Brentford, Phil Woosnam joining Aston Villa and Malcolm Musgrove moving on to Leyton Orient. In late December there was excitement and goals as the Hammers drew 4–4 at Tottenham and won 4–3 at Nottingham Forest, where winger Peter Brabrook scored twice.

The ‘big freeze’ then hit the country, with postponements throughout January and February. On a snow-covered pitch West Ham beat Fulham 2–1 in a FA Cup replay following a goalless draw. In March West Ham progressed in the FA Cup with 1–0 home wins over Swansea Town and Everton. The quarter-final saw the Hammers travel to Liverpool, where a late goal put them out 1–0. The team were now in mid-table and Nottingham Forest were beaten 4–1 at home. The scorers in this match were Hurst (2), Moore and Peters. Some three years later this trio would become World Cup heroes. On the final day of the season Manchester City were relegated after the Hammers beat them 6–1 and gained a twelfth place finish in the league.