WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1974-75 Football League First Division
Manager: John Lyall
After a 4–0 opening-day defeat at Manchester City the Hammers only won one game in the first seven matches and were bottom of the league. This led to a managerial change and long-standing coach and former player John Lyall became the team manager under the guidance of Ron Greenwood. Lyall was a member of the Hammers team that reached the FA Youth Cup final in 1957. He went on to play in 35 games for the club before injury cut short his playing career in 1963. New signings were made when forwards Billy Jennings and Keith Robson were bought and this had an immediate effect as both scored on their debuts.
In the league Leicester City were thrashed 6–2 at home, and there was a fine 5–3 win at Burnley. The League Cup replay at Upton Park against Tranmere Rovers saw Bobby Gould scoring a hat-trick in the 6–0 win. Fulham and Bobby Moore were waiting in the next round at Craven Cottage, where the Hammers were 2–1 losers.
The promising league form continued with three successive wins in November, including a 5–2 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. Following the 1–1 draw with Tottenham on Boxing Day the Hammers were in fifth place – quite a turnaround from being bottom in September. There was a surprise signing when young centre-forward Alan Taylor was signed for £45,000 from Fourth Division Rochdale.
The FA Cup brought a 2–1 win at Southampton and a 2–1 home victory against Swindon Town. It was a London derby in the fifth round as Queens Park Rangers lost 2–0 at Upton Park. Following two league defeats the FA Cup quarter-final tie at Highbury with Arsenal saw Alan Taylor score twice in a 2–0 victory. League form was suffering, but the FA Cup brought relief as another two goals from Taylor gave West Ham a 2–1 win in the semi-final replay against Ipswich Town. The league season ended with a 1–0 home win against Arsenal and the team finished in thirteenth spot.
The FA Cup final with Fulham proved to be an emotional day as Bobby Moore faced his old team-mates. Star of the show again was Alan Taylor, with another brace of goals in the 2–0 victory. It was a fairy-tale season for young Taylor that started with obscurity at Rochdale and ended with glory at Wembley.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
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