WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
A Pictorial History
Harry Redknapp
#628
ADRIAN WHITBREAD
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Arrived from newly-relegated Swindon Town in August 1994 for £500,000, just before the start of the season, in part-exchange for the beleaguered Joey Beauchamp valued at £800,000 who was relieved to be heading for the Wiltshire club without even making a competitive appearance for Hammers. For this powerful central defender it was a case of returning to his East London roots. Adrian began his promising career with near-neighbours Leyton Orient, whom he captained at the age of 21 and made 125 League appearances prior to his £500,000 transfer to Swindon Town in July 1993.
Made his Hammers debut in the last 21 minutes of the opening home game versus Leeds United in a 1-1 draw on the 20th August 1994, and made his first full appearance in the 2-0 League Cup, second round (second leg) win over Walsall at Upton Park, collecting the sponsor's man-of-the-match award in the process. With central defenders in abundance, however, Adrian found his first team opportunities few and far between.
He went to Portsmouth on loan in November 1995 and eventually joined them on a permanent basis in October 1996 for £225,000. Later played for Luton Town, Reading and Exeter City. Went into football management as an assistant first with Barnet, then with Brentford, MK Dons and Leicester City. Whitbread qualified for the UEFA Pro Licence in 2008 and was named Assistant Coach of the Puerto Rico National Team and Puerto Rico Islanders holding both positions. In 2013 he was appointed head coach of Antigua Barracuda FC. In April 2014 Whitbread was appointed as the Bahrain U23 & Olympic Head Coach. Whitbread re-joined Barnet as a first-team coach in the summer of 2015.
#629
JOHN MONCUR
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East Londoner who was pleased to be back home following his £850,000 move from Swindon Town in June 1994. A tenacious yet stylish midfielder, who trained with Arsenal, Orient and West Ham as a boy but joined Tottenham from school in April 1983. His first team opportunities were limited at White Hart Lane, so he gained experience while on loan to a number of clubs in the lower divisions. "Moncs" joined Swindon Town for a fee of £80,000 in March 1992.
Made his Hammers debut against Norwich City at Carrow Road in a 0-1 reverse on the 27th August 1994. 95-96 campaign was a season to forget for the team clown whose laughter turned to tears when groin, hip and knee injuries caused him to miss half the season. Speculation of a £3-million pound moved to Arsenal in 1998, but despite all the paper talk, the Crafty Cockney insisted his future lie at West Ham. Fans patience with the born-again Christian appeared to wane in recent years as his hard-man antics earned him a poor reputation amongst referees, costing the Hammers free-kicks, and sometimes goals.The Hammers hard-man was released and then retired from the game after almost 200 appearances and 9 years in the Claret and Blue at the end of 2002-03 season when the club slipped into the First Division.
#630
DON HUTCHISON
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Hutchison first caught the eye while playing for Redheugh Boys, but he made the breakthrough to League status for Hartlepool United. The gangling Hutch was used either as a striker or central defender before settling into his familiar attacking midfield role. Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish signed him for £300,000 in November 1990. Despite some controversial off-the-field antics which earned him a somewhat dubious reputation, it was with great reluctance that Roy Evans finally agreed to make him Harry Redknapp's first signing as manager at Upton Park. Attacking midfielder who became the club's record signing when he moved from Liverpool for a £1.5 million fee in August 1994. "Hutch" scored on his debut against Newcastle United at Upton Park in which he scored in a 1-3 defeat on the 31 August 1994.
By the autumn the honeymoon period was over following Don's reckless first-half dismissal against Leicester City. Ultimately, his nine goals - including a double against the Reds - helped stave off relegation, but his in-and out performances were a frustration to all. Famously coated with a tray of sandwiches at Southampton following a ding-dong with Harry, the untamed "Hutch" was on his way to Sheffield United for a cut-price £800,000 in January 1996, having scored 13 goals from just 39 appearances.
Later joined Everton where he also enjoyed a call-up for the Scotland national side. Hutch re-signed for the Hammers for a then club record transfer fee of £5 million in August 2001. He had previously broken the club's record transfer fee - £1.5 million - when he signed for his spell at the club in August 1994. Hutchinson sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in February 2002. When he finally regained full fitness, he found himself out of favour, having missed most of the 2003-04 season through injury, and was unable to force his way back into the first team in the 2004-05 season. Hutchison joined Millwall in August 2005 after being released at the start of the 2005-06. He spent barely three months at the New Den, before joining first Coventry City then Luton Town.
Second Debut
TONY COTTEE
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Second Debut
JULIAN DICKS
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#631
MICHAEL HUGHES
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Following an 18-month loan spell, Hughes finally took full advantage of the Bosman ruling and joined Hammers on a free transfer from French club Racing Club De Strasbourg in July 1995. Originally the diminutive Ulsterman was on the books of Carrick Rangers as a youth, before crossing the Irish Sea to start his career in England with Manchester City. But after 26 league outings at Maine Road he switched across the Channel to join the French outfit in July 1992 for £500,000. The appointment of a new coach left a cloud of uncertainty hanging over his French future. A chance remark to fellow Northern Ireland international Keith Rowland led to a rest-of-season loan period at Upton Park. Made his Hammers debut against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Roads in a 1-2 defeat on the 4 December 1994.
Michael subsequently returned to France where he almost signed for the all-conquering Paris St Germain during the summer break. But the deal fell through and he returned on-loan to West Ham for another season-long spell, after which he made the move permanent on 4th July 1996 by taking advantage of the Bosman ruling. Scintillating one day, anonymous the next, the enigmatic Irish wide boy infuriatingly blew hot n' cold during his time at West Ham. After being dropped at the start of the 1997-98 campaign, 'Hughesie' severed his association with the Hammers. Joined Wimbledon September 1997, a £1.6m transfer that Joe Kinnear claimed was his best-ever deal.
#632
MARC RIEPER
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Powerful central defender once likened to Superman by Harry Redknapp, who originally signed him on loan from Bronby IF at the end of 1994. Made his Hammers debut against Leeds United at Elland Road in a trilling 2-2 draw on the 10th December 1994. A string of Viking-like displays in Hammers' successful relegation battle impressed several clubs, including champions elect Blackburn Rovers and big spending Turks, Fenerbahce. Knowing he had to act quickly, the wily Redknapp outwitted them both to capture the commanding Dane for £1.1 million on the final day of the 1994/95 campaign 14th May 1995.
Rieper briefly found himself out of favour during Hammers' rocky start to the following season, before regaining his form and eventually securing a place in the new look back five alongside Bilic and Dicks. At international level "The Grimm Reaper" remained one of the linchpins of the Danish defence. With the popular Rieps' expiring contract set to make him a Bosman, Harry acted swiftly to salvage some cash by agreeing the £1.5m transfer to Celtic in September 1997.
#633
SIMON WBSTER
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Earmarked as a future Hammers' captain following his signing from Charlton Athletic on 30 June 1993 for £525,000. Webster was included in the starting XI against Ford Dagenham in a pre-season friendly on 16 July. Less than a week later the defender broke his leg in an accidental training clash with Julian Dicks and was rushed to hospital for an operation on his ankle and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Webster did manage a few pre-season friendlies a year later; however ankle complications landed him back in plaster before a Premiership ball had been kicked. But a deserved change in fortune in 1995, saw brave "Webbo's" rehabilitation continue, as he headed out to Oldham Athletic on transfer deadline day for a brief loan spell. And after a string of stirring performances in the heart of the Latics' defence. Harry Redknapp had no hesitation in recalling him to West Ham for the vital survival run-in. Following his long, lonely fight the forgotten man of Upton Park finally made his first team appearance for the club when he came on as a late substitute in the 2-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers at Upton Park on the 30th April 1995. In all Simon made 5 substitute appearances that season, before finally being forced to give up the battle to save his career. Simon later became a sports physiotherapist and rejoined the club in that capacity.
#634
MARCO BOOGERS
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Aggressive Dutch striker signed from Sparta Rotterdam for £800,000 in July 1995. Bought in to play alongside Tony Cottee, tall, lean and angular, Boogers shows typical Dutch poise on the ball and likes to receive it to his feet. Boogers joined Sparta in 1994 and scored 11 goals in 25 games. But he went there under a company sponsorship scheme and when that expired, the Dutch First Division club couldn't afford to keep him. Made his debut as substitute against Leeds United at Upton Park 19th August 1995 in a 1-2 reverse.
Made a much more explosive impact again as sub at Manchester United four days later, when he was sent off after only 15 minutes for a reckless tackle on Gary Neville. Boogie Blunderland subsequently headed off to Holland and holed out in a caravan. Declared 'psychologically unfit for football'. Joined Groningen on loan pending the expiry of his Hammers' contract. A costly farce and a disastrous signing. Later played for RKC Waalwijk, FC Volendam and Dordrecht ’90.
#635
ROBBIE SLATER
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Shot to fame at the beginning of 94-95 campaign when he played in the Charity Shield for Blackburn Rovers against Manchester United. Signed from the Ewood Park club in part exchange for Matt Holmes 14th August 1995, Holmes was rated at £1.2m by Rovers and they paid West Ham £600,000 plus Slater for the diminutive winger's services. Made his Hammers bow against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground 26th August in a 1-1 draw. Born in Ormskirk, Lancashire in 1964, Robbie's family moved to Australia when he was a young boy and grew up there. He played for Anderlecht in Belgium before moving to Lens in France where he won a French League Cup winners medal. Joined Blackburn Rovers for £350,000 and capped off his first year in England with a Premiership championship medal. Slater frustrated both the Hammers fans and the management with a string of erratic displays and minor injuries. Slater moved to Southampton for a more realistic £250,000 in August 1996. Subsequently released by Wolverhampton Wanderers, he returned to Oz where he played for Northern Spirit.
#636
STAN LAZARIDIS
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Stan Lazaridis was in the starting eleven for the Western Australia team in the first match, born in Perth in 1972 the Aussie celebrates his 50th birthday this week.
In a conversation with Frank Lampard after the match, the assistant-manager invited the international player back to the UK for extended trials. Playing under a Greek passport of convenience, Lazaridis avoided any of the work permit problems that were set to frustrate future team-mates. After suitably impressing manager Harry Redknapp, Two days before his 24th birthday, ‘Skippy’ put pen to paper and signed for West Ham United for a fee of £300,000.
He made his Premier League debut on 11 September 1995 as a substitute in the 3-1 reverse against Chelsea at Upton Park, but spent most of his first two seasons in the Reserves before establishing himself in the campaigns to follow. The winger was an excellent crosser of the ball, he scored three goals in 87 games in claret and blue before swapping the Boleyn Ground for St Andrews and Birmingham City for a fee of £1.6m.
He was successful with the Blues, collecting a League Cup runners-up medal in 2001, and going on to make 191 league appearances up to 2006, before returning to Australia to sign for Perth Glory. He played 13 games for his hometown club before retiring in 2008.
Second Debut
IAIN DOWIE
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#637
LES SEALEY
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Sealey joined Coventry City as an apprentice in 1976 and spent the next five years at the Midlands club before joining Luton Town in 1983. In December 1989 he was loaned to Manchester United and signed on a permanent basis, and was their regular goalkeeper throughout the 1990-01 season. Turned down a further one-year contract at Old Trafford and instead signed for Aston Villa.
Lost his place to Nigel Spink and was loaned out to Birmingham City during the opening weeks of the 1992-93 season before returning to Manchester United on a free transfer, this time as understudy to Peter Schmeichel. It meant his last four appearances for United were a Cup Winners Cup Final, two League Cup Finals and an FA Cup Quarter Final. At the end of the season he was given a free transfer and Joined Blackpool, but within six-months he had left Bloomfield Road and returned to the Premiership with the Hammers on 28 November 1994 as understudy to Ludek Miklosko.
This nomadic 'keeper who bizarrely made his League bow for the Hammers' as an outfield substitute against Arsenal at Highbury in a 0-1 reverse 16 September 1995. With Ludo a firm fixture between the sticks, "The Cat" was confined to the bench before moving to Third Division club Leyton Orient on a free transfer in May 1996. In December 1996, the 39-year-old returned to Upton Park just five months later in exchange for 47-year-old England international Peter Shilton who had been training with the Hammers but was desperate to make his 1000th Football League appearance.
Les made two further outings his last first-team appearance on the final day of the 1996-97 season, fittingly against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He came on as substitute for Ludek Miklosko. He was loaned out to Bury but didn’t make a first-team appearance. Upon his return to the Boleyn he made the transition to goalkeeping coach at the Boleyn. Sealey was still employed as goalkeeping coach when he died of a heart attack on 19 August 2001 at the age of 43.
#638
JOHN HARKES
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Team USA skipper John Harkes joined West Ham on loan until the end of 95-96 campaign after Derby County sold him to the newly-formed US Soccer Federation for £500,000. The likeable Harkes finally got the all-clear to play against his old club Sheffield Wednesday 28th October 1995 at Hillsborough just minutes before the deadline in a 1-0 victory. Firstly, the US Soccer Federation had to organise payment to Derby County - around £500,000 - for his services before they were able to loan him out to the Hammers. Coventry City were also keen, but a difference of opinion between the Sky Blues and the American authorities concerning Roy Wegerie ensured Upton Park was always going to be the most likely destination. Manager Harry Redknapp completed the fairy-tale by introducing him into the fray 20 minutes from time against his old club. Moved back across the Atlantic at the end of the campaign to compete in the new American Professional Soccer League.
#639
NEIL FINN
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New Year's Day 1996 will be a day that Neil Finn will never forget. It was just three days past his 17th birthday and, following the suspension of first-choice goalkeeper Ludek Miklosko and freak injury in training to his deputy Les Sealey the day before saw manager Harry Redknapp make a series of frantic phone calls to the Premier League to seek permission to sign a replacement on loan. Thoes requests were denied by the Premier League, and Finn became the then youngest player ever to appear in a Premiership match. And still remains the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear in the competition. A product of the Hammers' Academy, the youngster had only played three reserve games but made an accomplished senior debut. Despite suffering with hamstring problems, he performed well in a 2-1 defeat by Manchester City at Maine Road. In March 1998, Neil went on loan to Dorchester Town and, on being released by the Hammers at the end of the season, joined Aldershot Town on a free transfer. After a spell out of the game, he joined non-league Romford in 2004. Outside of football Finn worked at a timber merchant which gave him the necessary work experience to own his own timer business, Living Stone Ltd.
#640
FRANK LAMPARD
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Lampard made his senior debut against Coventry City at Upton Park in a 3-2 victory on the 31st January 1996. Stamped his mark on the Premiership scene in 1997-98, scored with his first touch after coming on as a second half substitute in the opening game of the season at Barnsley. Enjoyed an excellent season in the top flight which was rewarded with the captaincy of the England Under-21 side for the Toulon tournament. Son of assistant manager and one time Hammers player, Frank Lampard, and nephew of manager Harry Redknapp. An attacking midfielder with a great goalscoring record, Frank was the subject of a £4.5m bid from Tottenham Hotspur in March 1999. With the sudden departure of Harry Redknapp which also saw his father Frank senior leave, young Frank was left with no option but to ask for a transfer out of Upton Park, The Blues of Chelsea tabled an £11m bid which was accepted by the West Ham board on the 14 June 2001.
#641
DANI Da CRUZ CARVVALHO
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Portuguese international. Began his footballing career in the Sporting Lisbon youth section, released on A £130,000 loan deal to the Hammers in the middle of the 1995-96 season because of Sporting's financial difficulties. Made his League debut as substitute against Nottingham Forest in a 1-0 victory 3 February 1996. He became an instant hit with the Hammers' fans as he made 9 first-team appearances, 6 as substitute, scoring the winner against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane 12th February. Dani's brief but eventful flirtation with the Premiership finally ended in tears just 24 hours before Hammers' match at relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers. For when he failed to show for Friday morning training at Chadwell Heath, it was definitely 'game off' as far as Harry Redknapp was concerned. "He just didn't report in and that's not the first time that's happened. Dani's a nice kid, but he must decide if he wants to be a footballer or a playboy". Played his last game for West Ham against Sporting Lisbon in Hammers Centenary Friendly which ended in a 1-4 reverse. Dani later played for Ajax in the Dutch league, then joining Benfica before settling down at Atletico Madrid.
#642
SLAVEN BILIC
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Signed from German club Karlsruhe for £1.65m in January 1996. Invoked a clause in his contract that enabled him to leave the Bundesliga following Hammers' bid for him. Super Slav quickly became an Upton Park favourite with some emotional defensive displays. Made his Hammers bow against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a 1-0 victory at White Hart Lane 12th February 1996. His form for the Hammers saw him selected for the Croatian national team for the Euro 96 held in England.But clauses and the Croatian went hand in hand throughout a West Ham career punctuated with speculation over his future and extended contracts. Effectively agreed to join Everton midway through the 1996-97 season but pledged to stay and fight relegation...and collect a substantial end-of-season loyalty bonus! Slaven made the move to Goodison Park for £4.5m July 1997 declaring that by joining a bigger club he could win trophies. Injuries and relegation dog-fights have merely added to his Mersey misery. Linked with a return to Upton Park but the deal fell through on medical grounds. He later played for Hajduk Split before embarking on a managerial career as Croatian National coach.
#643
ILIE DUMITRESCU
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Signed from Tottenham Hotspur for £1.5m January 1996. Insular Romanian international - and favourite of former dictator Ceausescu - who put himself on the map at World Cup USA '94. Arrived in England as one of Ossie Ardiles' Famous Five before West Ham United became entangled in work permit red tape forcing local MP Tony Banks to help finally smooth the way for Dumitrescu to move from White Hart Lane to east London.
Hampered by hamstring pulls and a marked failure to reproduce anything like the form that had persuaded Spurs to pay a whopping £2.6m for him. Dumitrescu embarrassingly made just five league starts, and red-faced Hammers knew that their unpopular, goalless striker - who had insisted on a bonus if he won the Golden Boot!
Due to injury and loss of form, Dumi hadn’t played the required amount of games to earn an extension to his work permit. Rather than risk losing him for nothing, the Hammers finally severed their ties with the Romanian international and offloaded the 28-year-old to Mexican side Club de Futbul America for just under £1million.
There he made 14 appearances, scoring one goal before transferring to the Mexico City based Atlante, before finally ending his playing days with Romanian side Steaua Bucurest. Following his short-lived career as a player agent, Dumitrescu took his first position as a manager in 2000 signing with Romanian side Otelul Galati, before serving a host of clubs until 2010 when he focused on running a high-class restaurant.
#644
MARK WATSON
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Signed from Istmian League side Sutton United for £50,000 on 9 May 1995. Top Man window dresser who convinced Harry Redknapp that he might be able to sell a few dummies after netting 23 goals in 35 Diadora outings for Sutton United. Woeful finishing saw him cruelly tagged Pele by some of his senior professionals who quickly recognised that he was never going to land the odds at the top level. He made one league appearance for the Hammers as a substitute against Queens Park Rangers on 27 April 1996 in a 1-0 victory. He had spells on loan at Leyton Orient, Cambridge United and Shrewsbury Town before moving to Bournemouth - as part of the Steve Jones deal in May 1996 - where he made 15 appearances for the Cherries, scoring twice, before transferring to Welling United, then returned to Sutton United between 1998 and 2000 before moving to Woking FC, Chesham United and finally Aldershot Town for the 2001/02 campaign.
#645
RIO FERDINAND
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Widely regarded as the finest defensive prospect that English football has seen for many years and coveted by every top club in the land. Even before being called up to the England World Cup squad for France 1998, Rio was being hailed as a certain international for the next decade. The Peckham born defender, who signed schoolboy forms in 1994, was a vital member of the record breaking South East Counties championship team of 1996, when he also picked up an F.A. Youth cup runners up medal. Ferdinand made his initial debut as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday at Upton Park on the 5 May 1996. He began his breakthrough into the first team in the 1996/97 season and by the end of that campaign, was already one of the first names on Harry Redknapp's team sheet. Rio picked up "Hammer of the Year" for his consistently outstanding performances in the 1997/98 campaign cumulating with his inclusion in Glen Hoddle's England 22 for France '98. Aged 22 Rio became the world's most expensive defender when he signed for Premiership rivals Leeds United for £18m in November 2000 after the Yorkshire club had an earlier £15m bid turned down by the Hammers. Rio turned his back on the Yorkshiremen soon after the World Cup Finals of 2002 when Manchester United stepped in to take him to Old Trafford for an incredible £30m.
Second Debut
STEVE JONES
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#646
PAULO FUTRE
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Harry Redknapp pulled off a coup-and-a-half as one of the Euro-legends of modern times swapped pasta for pie-and-mash and sign for West Ham United on 2 July 1996 to the delight of the Eastenders.
Paulo Jorge Dos Santos Futre - boasts a career record of 75 goals from nearly 300 outings - started out with Sporting Lisbon before moving to FC Porto where he helped them to two championships and a European Cup Final victory over Bayern Munich in 1987. Subsequently moved across the border to Atletico Madrid and won successive Spanish Cup Finals against Mallorca (1991) and Real Madrid (1992) before getting itchy feet once again. Briefly returned to his homeland to help Benfica to a Portuguese Cup victory over Boavista, before embarking on a whirlwind tour of France and Italy with Olympique Marseille, Reggiana and, finally, AC Milan.
When a knee injury restricted him to just a single Serie A appearance and ruled him out of his country’s Euro ’96 challenge, Italian giants AC Milan opted to cut their losses on the pedigree Portuguese international. Futre reportedly turned down offers from Japan, USA, Switzerland, Middlesbrough, Derby County and Birmingham City to join Redknapp at Upton Park. After joining on a pay-as-you-play basis, the highly strung player stormed out of Highbury on the first day of the season after being handed the double whammy of a subs’ berth and the number 16 shirt. All was forgotten when John Moncur relinquished his number 10 shirt when Futre made his Hammers debut as a 53rd minute substitute against Coventry City in a 1-1 draw on the 21 August 1996. Paulo's knees and lungs were always suspect though and before the year had ended, having made just four starts and five sub outings, Futre had been slashed from the wage bill when his contract was terminated by mutal agreement. Later played 10 games for Spainish side Atletico Madrid the following season.
#647
MARK BOWEN
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Versatile defender who can play in either of the full-back berths. Despite playing scrum-half for Aberavon District in his native South Wales, soccer was always Mark's first love and he first signed apprentice forms for Tottenham Hotspur in June 1980. Bowen found his first team outings few and far between, eventually joined Norwich City for a bargain £90,000 in July 1987. Enjoyed 10 seasons at Carrow Road where he played in two FA Cup semi-finals and also helped the chirpy Canaries into a best-ever third place during the 1992-93 term. Jumped at the chance to return to the Premiership on a free transfer from Norwich City July 1996. Made his Hammers debut against Southampton at Upton Park in a 2-1 victory 24th August 1996. Experienced Welsh international who proved an excellent squad man. Yen-ned to go to Japan when former team-mate Ossie Ardiles made him an offer of a lifetime. And facing the twilight of his career, 'H' generously agreed to let him go to the Land of the Rising Sun after just 21 appearances and one goal. Subsequently returned to England and joined Charlton Athletic. Later played for Wigan Athletic and Reading.
#648
FLORIN RADUCIOIU
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Bucharest born, Florin made his league debut for hometown club Dinamo Bucharest at the age of 16, and his international bow for Romania just four years later. After impressing in the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Florin found himself moving to Serie A as Bari signed him. That was the start of a five-year spell in Italy as Florin moved on to Verona, Brescia and AC Milan on loan. It was during the 1994 World Cup in America that he staked his claim as one of the world's top strikers, finishing as top scorer for Romania with five goals. In 1995 he moved further along the continent to sign for Spanish giants Espanol. "Flo" became West Ham's record signing in the summer of '96 when he signed for £2.4 million from Spanish club Espanol. A vicious elbow in the face, melted out in a pre-season 'friendly' at Torquay, provided a rude awakening for the record signing. The Romanian striker's lack of heart left Harry Redknapp tearing his hair out. Add an alleged Christmas shopping expedition to the West End when he should have been at Stockport County, and Florin was not worth two-bob as far as 'H' was concerned. Not even brilliant solo goals against Manchester United and Sunderland could redeem him. But having finally seen some Radi-cool finishing, many of the Upton Park faithful felt he was still finding his feet when 'H' - accepting a £700,000 loss - slapped a 'Return to Sender' label on the Espanol-bound striker. Later played for VfB Stuttgart, Brescia, Dinamo Bucharestand AS Monaco. Raducioiu retired in 2004 after a short stint with modest French side US Creteil-Lusitanos.
#649
STEVE MAUTONE
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Signed from Canberra Cosmos in a £60,000 deal towards the end of the 1995-96 season. Previously tried his hand in Italian football as a raw teenager before heading home to Oz, an Italian passport holder. In Australia he finally established himself as one of the country's most promising young 'keepers, which prompted Hammers to sign him. A calf injury to Ludek Miklosko enabled Mautone to make the first of only three First-team appearances against Barnet in the Coca-Cola Cup at Under Hill on the 18 September 1996 in a 1-1 draw. The young goalkeeper was frustrated at the lack of first team football at West Ham, and after giving several magnificent displays on loan first to Crewe Alexandra (September 1996) then Reading. After playing 15 loan games for the Berkshire, the Elm Park club came in with a £250,000 offer on deadline day March 1997 that Harry Redknapp could not afford to turn down. Mautone spent the 1999/00 season making a handful of appearances.at various clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Crystal Palace and Gillingham. He eventually moved to non-league Slough Town FC where he spent a couple of seasons and made over 50 appearances before eventually returning to Australia to pursue a coaching career.
#650
HUGO PORFIRIO
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Born in Lisbon, Hugo Cardoso Porfirio o graduated from Sporting Lisbon’s prolific youth academy, joining the professionals for the 1992/93 season. After some substitute appearances he had loan spells with fellow Primeira Liga clubs F.C. Tirsense and U.D. Leiria.
Porfirio returned to the Estadio jose Alvalade for 1996/97, but because the Portuguese club were financially in bad shape he was allowed to join West Ham United on loan in October for the remainder of the season, but had until February 1997 to decide whether they want to take up the option to buy the £800,000 rated striker.
Pirfirio made his League debut on 29 September 1996 against Liverpool at Upton Park when he came on as a second half substitute in a 1-2 reverse.
At the end of the season the 23-year-old attacker told the Hammers he would not join them permanently, the on-loan winger was left scarred by the battle against relegation. He admitted "I want to fight for the title or win cups. I don't know if West Ham can offer me that in the next few years. Porfiro became frustrated by a lack of opportunities and wanted to leave despite the Hammers’ boss Redknapp pleading with him to stay. Porfirio was rated as one of the league's most skilful players but he struggled against physical sides.
Joined Racing Santander of Spain and later played for Benfica, followed by a loan spell with Nottingham Forest. His next stop was with Maritimo before returning to Benfica again, before ending up in Saudi Arabian with Al-Nasr.
#651
MIKE NEWELL
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Mike joined the Hammers on a month's loan from Birmingham City with a view to a permanent move. Signed as cover for the injured Iain Dowie. Mike made his West Ham debut in the 1-3 defeat by London rivals Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 21st December 1996. The Hammers were not impressed with his overall performance in the matches played and decided to despatch him back to St. Andrew's. Mike joined Aberdeen for £175,000 in July 1997 then joined Bradford. Later went into management with Hartlepool in February 2003.
#652 =
PAUL KITSON
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One of Redknapp's most inspired signings. The striker was languishing behind Shearer, Asprilla and Ferdinand at Newcastle United when 'H' saw him as the man whose goals could steer Hammers away from relegation. With proven scoring pedigree at Leicester City and Derby County. Kitson was signed from the St James's Park outfit for a fee of £2.3m on 6 February 1997, just days before John Hartson was transferred from Arsenal. Kitson made his Hammers debut along with Hartson against his former club Derby County at the Baseball Ground 15th February 1997 but finished on the wrong ended of a 1-2 scoreline. The pair immediately hit it off "Kits" responded with eight strikes in 14 games as his lucrative 13-goal partnership with Hartson put Hammers on the fast lane to safety, which justified Harry Redknapp spending spree to ward off almost certain relegation at the end of the 1996-97 campaign. A string of injuries to Paul disrupted the partnership for the start of the following season. At the end of the season the Geordie underwent a groin operation after failing to shake off a niggling problem. Paul's injury problems persisted and was allowed to join Charlton Athletic on loan at the end of the 99-00 campaign helping the Addicts back to the Premiership. Further loan spells to Crystal Palace and Birmingham City followed before he finally signed for newly-promoted first division Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer August 2002.
#652 =
JOHN HARTSON
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The former Luton Town striker joined Arsenal in January 1995 for £2.5 million and went on to record 70 appearances for the Gunners. Hartson represented a huge punt when manager Harry Redknapp plucked the ill-disciplined, out-of-favour striker from the Highbury sidelines on Valentine’s Day 1997 to become an Upton Park record £3.2m signing. Made his League debut a day later along-side Paul Kitson in the 2-1 defeat by Derby County at the Baseball Ground. He responded with five goals in 11 starts to help stave off relegation and by the following Christmas, he was a big fish in the Upton Park pond, leading the scoring charts with 17 goals from 20 starts. But with disciplinary problems on-and-off the field resulting in an inexcusable clash with Eyal Berkovic, on the kicking fields of Chadwell Heath which was the beginning of the end for the fiery Welsh dragon at Upton Park. Joe Kinnear paid a whopping £7.5 million in January 1999 which saw the in-form striker join the 'Crazy Gang' at Wimbledon. His time with the Dons was marred by injury, though he still managed a respectable goal tally, first in the Premier League, then the First Division following the club's relegation in 2000. Proposed moves to Rangers, Tottenham Hotspur and Charlton Athletic fell through due to doubts over the player's fitness. Hartson instead joined Coventry City on a pay-for-play deal in February 2001. In August 2001 he went north-of-the-boarder and signed for Glasgow Celtic in a £6 million transfer. He played for the Scottish Premier League club for five seasons and made 146 league appearances scoring 88 goals. By June 2006 he had moved on to West Bromwich Albion and later had a loan spell with Norwich City. These days Hartson is a regular pundit, and often appears on BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage as a match summariser.
#654
EMMANUEL OMOYINMI
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Nigerian born Emmanuel Omoyinmi was a strong, pacey and skilful player. The tongue-twister named player signed apprenticeship forms with West Ham on 11 June 1994 and quickly became known as “Manny”. A product of the Hammers very successful youth scheme, he was a member of the side that won the South East Counties League title in 1995-6. Signed professional forms on 15 May 1996, and in September 1996 he joined AFC Bournemouth on a two-month loan deal. Made his Hammers League debut against Leeds United at Elland Road 1 March 1997 in a 0-1 reverse. Little Manny made his mark on the first team, scoring twice after coming on as substitute against Crystal Palace at the end of the 1997-98 season. Gained valuable experience with loan spells with Dundee United, Leyton Orient and Gillingham. Omoyinmi was to make the biggest headline of his career when coming on for the last eight minutes of extra-time in Hammers' quarter-final clash with Aston Villa in the Worthington Cup at Upton Park December 1999. The final 2-2 scoreline, led to penalties with Villa's Gareth Southgate repeating his England miss from ten yards which catapulted West Ham into a semi-final spot. Two days later it emerged that "Manny" had played two games in the same competition for Gillingham whilst on loan to the "Gills" earlier on in the campaign. The match was expunged from the record book as West Ham were ordered by the Football League to replay the game which Hammers' lost 1-3. "Manny" was despatched on loan to the other 'Irons' Scunthorpe United for his own safety, as e-mail death threats were received by the club. Hammers club secretary Graham Mackell and football secretary Alison O'Dowd both resigned over the incident. Further loan spell at Barnet followed before being finally off-loaded to Oxford United on a free transfer in June 2000. He made 77 league and cup appearances for Oxford in four years, scoring nine goals. He also had loan spells during the 2003–04 season at Margate and at Gravesend & Northfleet. Omoyinmi joined Gravesend on a permanent basis in May 2004, making 35 appearances and scoring six goals. He later played for Lewes and Worthing.
#655 =
RICHARD HALL
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Former England Under-21 captain who joined Hammers from Southampton in July 1996 for £1.9m. A tall, courageous central defender who has broken his nose no less than seven times. Started out at Scunthorpe United and after just 22 outings for the fourth division club, Richard incredibly found himself on the way to The Dell for £200,000 in February 1991. In 1993 he won the last of his 11 caps when he skippered the young lions of England to glory over their French hosts in the final of the prestigious Toulon tournament. Like Simon Webster, another ill-fated central defender who was earmarked for the skipper's armband, only to succumb to a career-ending pre-season injury. This time a whack on the foot in a friendly at Carshalton, just weeks after his arrival, saw his dreams fade and die. Made his long awaited debut against Middlesbrough at Upton Park on the 9th April 1997 in a 0-0 draw, but this was the start of only 7 full appearances for the club before agonisingly quitting the game he loved in April 1999, aged just 27. In 2006 Hall rejoined his youth team Ipswich Town, as reserve team coach and later joined East anglian rivials Colchester United as the club’s Development Coach.
#655 =
STEVE LOMAS
Born: 14 March 1974, Hanover, Germany
Signed: Manchester City
Date: 27 March 1997
Fee: £1.6m
Debut: 9 April 1997, Middlesbrough (H)
Last game: 12 March 2005, Reading (A)
Appearances: 216/11
Goals: 13
Transferred: Queens Park Rangers
Date: 31 August 2005
International: Northern Ireland (27 caps)
Individual honours:
Intertoto Cup Winner (1999),
Play-off finalists (2004)
Combative, uncompromising and a born leader blessed with a never-say-die attitude. Steve Lomas was not what you might call a typical West Ham United player, but the flame-haired midfielder became a firm favourite among the Claret and Blue Army during his eight years at Upton Park, enduring a feast of thrills and spills including promotion, relegation and the 1999 UEFA Intertoto Cup win.
The Northern Ireland international – who was born in Germany, and briefly lived in Hong Kong as a child – started his career with Irish club Coleraine before being spotted by Manchester City, following a productive six-year spell with the Maine Road club he signed for Harry Redknapp’s Hammers on 27 March 1997. Lomas made his Premiership debut in a 0-0 draw against Middlesbrough at Upton Park on 9 April 1997.
The midfielder’s first three seasons were a big success as Redknapp’s side finished eighth, fifth and ninth in the Premier League and won the UEFA Intertoto Cup in the summer of 1999. Injuries restricted the popular player’s appearances over the next few seasons, and he played through the pain barrier as West Ham battled unsuccessfully to avoid relegation from the Premier League in 2003. Lomas remained loyal to the club and, after the disappointment of a Play-Off final defeat in 2004; he was in the squad which won promotion back to the top flight the following year.
At international level, Lomas was capped 45 times by Northern Ireland, scoring three goals and captaining his country on a number of occasions. In his time in east London, he totalled 227 appearances, 13 goals and five red cards before joining Queens Park Rangers on 31 August 2005. After two seasons with the “Hoops”, Lomas joined Gillingham in July 2007.
After retiring from the game in January 2008, the popular player took up a short-term coaching role within Norwich City’s Academy before managing St Neots Town. In February 2011 the former Hammers captain returned to east London as the club’s new reserve-team manager.
In November 2011, he went north of the boarder and managed Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone where he led them to a top 6 finish. On 6 June 2013, Lomas was appointed manager of Millwall, his tenure with the Lions was to last just 6-months.
#657
LEE BOYLAN
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Boylan was a product of the club's very successful youth scheme and member of the South East Counties Championship winning team of 1995/96. He signed professional forms July 1997. Premiership debut as an 89th minute substitute appearance against Sheffield Wednesday in a 5-1 victory at Upton Park on the 3 May 1997. He’s cameo, one minute appearance in the Claret and Blue catapulted him into the Upton Park record books as the shortest playing time as a Hammer. The Republic of Ireland Youth and Under-21 international was a nippy, strong forward - reminiscent of Tony Cottee. He had been banging in the goals for the youth and reserves team for many years. Unfortunately Lee never establish himself in the big time and was released at the end of the 1998-99 campaign to join Swedish club Trelleborgs on a free transfer and then with Exeter City before dropping into non-league football with Kingstonian, Hayes, Stevenage Borough and then joining Canvey Island in 2001. Boylan had great success with Canvey Island, scoring over 170 goals in five years, including 26 in 53 Conference games, and helping Canvey Island get promoted to the Conference in 2004. When Canvey Island resigned from the Conference in 2006, he joined Grays Athletic on a one-year contract but after starting only 16 games in the 2006–07 season, he joined Chelmsford City in February 2007 on loan for the rest of the season. At the end of the season, he joined Cambridge United on a free transfer and scored eleven goals in 32 league appearances in the 2007–08 season as Cambridge reached the Conference play-off final in May 2008, narrowly losing to Exeter City. He joined Stevenage Borough in June 2008 for an undisclosed fee.