WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
Geoff Pike Trophy Cabinet
Geoff Pike played his early football in Thurrock District and later with Gidea Park Rangers. Prior to joining West Ham, the young midfielder was invited to Ipswich Town for a trial. With the youngster on the verge of signing for the Tractor Boys, West Ham Chief Scout Wally St Pier signed him on apprentice forms on 24 July 1972.
Progressed through the Upton Park youth ranks and was a member of the Hammers' Youth side which reached the F.A. Youth Cup Final in 1975, against Ipswich Town. The following season he signed his first professional contract on 2 February 1976. Pike’s Football League debut quickly followed, coming on as a substitute for Yilmaz Orhan against Birmingham City on 6 March 1976.
His first senior honour came in 1980 against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, winning an FA Cup winners medal in a 1-0 victory. A member of the side that narrowly lost 2-1 to Liverpool at Villa Park, Birmingham in the 1981 League Cup Final after the two sides battled out a 1-1 draw at Wembley. The midfielder also went on to make a major contribution to the club's promotion back to the top flight at the end of the same season.
Pike also featured in the side that finished a best-ever third in the Football League First Division in 1985/86, and still remains West Ham’s highest league finish. In his twelve years at the Boleyn Ground he amassed 368 first team appearances and 41 goals in all competitions.
On 13 July 1987 he transferred to Notts County for £50,000 and given the responsibility of club captain. At Meadow Lane he clocked up 82 appearances and 17 goals before returning to east London with Leyton Orient, and later played for Isthmian League side Hendon in 1995.
Born: 28 September 1956, Clapton, London
Apprentice: 24 July 1972
Debut: Birmingham City (H) 6 March 1976
Last game: Everton (A) 11 April 1987
Appearances: 349/19
Goals: 41
1980 FA Cup Winners
Arsenal v. West Ham United
Wembley Stadium
10 May 1980
The game started slowly with Arsenal playing their traditional defensive keep ball style of football. West Ham gained possession after Arsenal gave away a free kick due to Liam Brady being caught offside. After this West Ham maintained possession, frustrating Arsenal before Alan Devonshire broke down the left wing in the 12th minute, hitting a cross into the Arsenal box which fell to David Cross, whose shot was blocked by Arsenal's Willie Young. Stuart Pearson then shot at the Arsenal goal but his shot went across the goalmouth, where England international Trevor Brooking was the fastest player to react; with the Arsenal defence stranded he flicked a header past Jennings for the only goal of the game after 13 minutes.
Parkes
Stewart, Lampard, Bonds, Martin, Devonshire,
Allen, Pearson, Cross, Brooking, Pike
1980 FA Cup Final Winners
1980 FA Charity Shield Runners-up
Liverpool v. West Ham United
Wembley Stadium
9 August 1980
Liverpool scored the only goal of the match when Alan Kennedy fired in a fierce cross-shot that Parkes couldn't hold. Terry McDermott swept the ball into the net from clos range. Bob Paisley's team then wasted many chances, and West Ham might have rescued themselves when Ray Clemence saved at Morgan's feet.
The silver and black bakelite miniature replica of the
Football Association Charity Shield is inscribed
Liverpool v. West Ham United
Wembley
9th August 1980
Parkes
Stewart, Brush, Bonds, Martin, Devonshire, Allen, Holland, Cross, Brooking, Pike (Morgan)
Charity Shield
1981 Football League Cup Final Runners-up
Liverpool v. West Ham United
Villa Park, Birmingham
1 April 1981
The 1981 Football League Cup Final was played between Liverpool and West Ham United. The original Wembley Stadium game ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time with Alan Kennedy scoring for Liverpool and Ray Stewart equalising from the penalty spot for the Hammers. The replay took place at Villa Park, Birmingham home to Aston Villa. West Ham took the lead though a Paul Goddard goal, but the “Reds” came from behind to win 2-1 with goals from Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen.
The twelve-man West Ham United squad plus first-team manager John Lyall each received this finalists’ medal as Runner-up.
Parkes
Stewart, Lampard, Bonds, Martin, Devonshire,
Neighbour, Goddard, Cross, Brooking, Pike (Pearson)
Football League Cup
Football League Championship
1980-81 Division 2 Winners
FA Cup holders West Ham United clinched the Second Division title by a wide margin to end their three-year absence from the First Division, they were joined by runners-up Notts County and Swansea City. The Hammers’ had not lost a league game since Boxing Day and after the 2–0 win at Bristol Rovers in April they were promoted. The title was clinched with a 5-1 away win at Blundell Park against Grimsby Town. Four more games were won and West Ham were declared Second Division Champions with a record 66 points.
Division 2 Winners