WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
John Lyall
The Manager
John Lyall was a legendary figure at West Ham United, dedicating 34 years to the club as a player, coach, and manager. Born on February 24, 1940, in Ilford, England, Lyall joined West Ham as a youth player in 1955. Unfortunately, his playing career as a defender was cut short by a knee injury in 1963, after making just 36 first-team appearances.
Lyall transitioned into coaching and rose through the ranks, eventually becoming West Ham's manager in 1974. He led the team to significant successes, including two FA Cup victories in 1975 and 1980. Under his guidance, West Ham also reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1976 and achieved a club-record third-place finish in the First Division during the 1985-86 season.
Known for his commitment to the "West Ham Way" of playing attractive, attacking football, Lyall was a beloved figure among fans. Despite facing challenges, such as relegation in 1978, he rebuilt the team and brought them back to the top flight. His tenure as manager ended in 1989, but his legacy endured.
Lyall passed away on 18 April 2006, and the club honoured him by naming the main gates at the Boleyn Ground after him in 2009.
The Football Association Coaching Certificate
Mr. John Angus LYALL has attended an
Football Association Course for Coaches, has satisfied the
requirements of the examiners and is approved as a Football Association Coach.
Football Association Coaching Certificate
The West Ham United manager receives the Bell's Scotch Whisky manager of the Month award before the home match with
Ipswich Town on 19 October 1974.
Presenting John with a gallon bottle of whisky and a £100 cheque is Bell's Sales Director Tony Derry.
Football Managers Award
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Football Manager of the Month
September 1974
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP FINAL
Fulham v. West Ham United
Wembley Stadium
3 May 1975
The Fulham team contained two former England captains in former Hammers’ captain Bobby Moore and Alan Mullery. West Ham won 2–0, with both goals scored by Alan Taylor. The first came in the 60th minute when Fulham goalkeeper Peter Mellor parried Billy Jennings' shot into Taylor's path; the second came four minutes later when Taylor capitalised after Mellor failed to hold on to Graham Paddon's shot. The 1975 West Ham team remains the last all-English team to win the FA Cup.
Day
McDowell, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor T., Lock, Taylor A., Paddon, Jennings, Brooking, Holland
FA Cup Final Managers Winners' Medal
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHARITY SHIELD
Derby County v. West Ham United
Wembley Stadium
9 August 1975
Derby County captain Roy McFarland lifting the 1975 FA Charity Shield at Wembley Stadium following the Rams’ 2-0 victory over West Ham United. As the reigning First Division champions, Derby faced the reigning FA Cup winners, West Ham ahead of the 1975/76 season.
59,000 fans were in attendance at Wembley to watch two first-half goals hand Dave Mackay’s men the victory. Kevin Hector struck first in the 20th minute with a low right-footed effort from the right of the box. McFarland put the Rams firmly in control just ahead of half-time from a set piece. A corner was headed back into the six-yard box by Francis Lee and the Rams’ skipper was there to find the back of the net from two yards out. Derby were able to see the game out in the second half before making their way into the stands to be presented with the shield.
The silver and black bakelite miniature replica of the
Football Association Charity Shield is inscribed
Liverpool v. West Ham United
Wembley
9th August 1980
Day
McDowell, Lampard, Holland, Taylor T., Lock,
Taylor A., Paddon, Jennings (Coleman),
Brooking, Gould (Robson)
Charity Shield
ANGLO-ITALIAN CUP WINNERS' CUP
ACF Fiorentina v. West Ham United
The Stadio Communale
3 September 1975
Upton Park
10 December 1975
West Ham early season forage into European football was a dress rehearsal for their forthcoming European Cup Winners’ Cup campaign but it proved disappointing. The Hammers lost both legs to single goals each scored coincidently in the 19th minute of play. The Viola club from Florence may have come off best in the Anglo-Italian Cup Winners Cup but it was the Hammers who fared the better of the two sides in the European Cup Winners Cup.
West Ham went on to reach the Brussels’ final against Belgium club RSC Anderlecht, while the Italians had been eliminated on penalties by Sachsenring Zwickau of East Germany in the second round.
With the passing of time, West Ham United would also have the pleasure of defeating 'The Purples' by two goals to one in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final in Prague.
Anglo-Italian Cup Winners' Cup
European Cup Winners' Cup Final
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Stade du Heysel, Brussels
5 May 1976
The crowd, mostly Anderlecht supporters, were shocked when Pat Holland gave West Ham United a 28th minute lead. This stung the Belgian team into action and Rob Rensenbrink equalised three minutes before half-time. The second half was even more entertaining end-to-end football. François Van der Elst made it 2-1 only for Keith Robson to level the scores after 68 minutes. Rensenbrink put Anderlecht 3-2 up five minutes later and, with West Ham frantically trying to force extra-time, Van der Elst – who went on to play for the ‘Hammers’ in the 1980s – clinched an epic 4-2 win in a final which had been an advertisement for attacking football.
Despite the loss, Lyall's leadership and the team's journey to the final were significant achievements for West Ham United. The match remains a memorable moment in the club's history.
European Cup Winners' Cup Final
Football Managers Award
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Football Manager of the Month
February 1979
Zenith Engraved Presentation Watch
West Ham United v. Aston Villa
Boleyn Ground
8 March 1980
Shortly before the FA Cup quarter-final tie against Aston Villa at Upton Park, John Lyall was reluctantly summoned to the boardroom by a staff member at Chairman Mr. Len Cearns' request. Frustrated by the disruption to his pre-match preparations, he grudgingly complied, where he was presented with a personalised engraved Swiss Zenith wristwatch. After thanking Mr. Cearns and the Board members, he firmly insisted they never interrupt him like that again.
W.H.U.F.C.
WELL DONE
JOHN
MARCH 1980
Zenith Presentation Watch
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CUP FINAL
Arsenal v. West Ham United
Wembley Stadium
10 May 1980
The final involved Arsenal, who had played in the previous two FA Cup Finals and were a strong First Division side, and two time F.A. Cup winners West Ham United, a Second Division side that had only ever played at Wembley five times before and were huge underdogs on the day. West Ham won by a single goal, scored by Trevor Brooking. To date, it is the last time a team from outside the top flight has won the FA Cup.
Parkes
Stewart, Lampard, Bonds, Martin, Devonshire,
Allen, Pearson, Cross, Brooking, Pike
FA Cup Final Managers Winners' Medal
Cup Winning Squad Award
West Ham United's journey to their 1980 FA Cup success was a remarkable one. The Hammers, then a Second Division side, defied the odds to lift the trophy by defeating Arsenal 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium on 10 May 1980.
Their road to the final saw them overcome several tough opponents, including West Bromwich Albion, Leyton Orient, Swansea City, Aston Villa, and Everton. Despite being underdogs, West Ham's team, led by manager John Lyall, played with determination and belief. Trevor Brooking scored the only goal of the final with a memorable header, securing West Ham's third FA Cup triumph
Inscription reads:
IN RECOGNITION
OF THE
1980’S CUP
WINNING SQUAD
Recognition Award
Football Managers Award
Manager of the Season 1979-80
JOHN LYALL
West Ham United F.C.
Presented by
ARTHUR BELL & SONS LTD
Scotch Whisky Distillers
Perth, Scotland
The Football League
Division II
Silver Salver
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHARITY SHIELD
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 close range. Bob Paisley's team then wasted many chances, and West Ham might have rescued themselves when Ray Clemence saved at Nicky 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
TOKEN of APPRECIATION
It has often be said that John Lyall was one of the nicest people in football and had a great repour with the media and sports reports, whether it be from the newspaper or TV reporters that covered the hundreds of games he was in charge of the Club. From the local reporters of Newham Recorder and those from the national press in Fleet Street.
It was not unusual from John to offer lifts to the media on the team coach to away games. As such many of his close media friends from the Press Association gave him a gold ring as a token of appreciation.
Club Crested Ring
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.
Second Division Champions
Football Managers Award
Manager of the Season 1980-81
JOHN LYALL
West Ham United F.C.
Presented by
ARTHUR BELL & SONS LTD
Scotch Whisky Distillers
Perth, Scotland
The Football League
Division II
Silver Salver
Football Managers Award
September 1981
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Football Manager of the Month
Football Manager of the Month
HJK Helsinki 75th Anniversary Friendly
The Hammers flew to Finland at the invitation of the HJK club of Helsinki. This was for a match to celebrate their 75th anninversary. The attendance of 6,380 was good by Finnish standards, and the game was an enjoyable one. A 68th minute headed goal by Alan Devonshire was the only score of the encounter.
75th Anniversary medal
Football Managers Award
October 1982
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Divisional Manager of the Month
Divisional Manager of the Month
Football Managers Award
September 1982
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Divisional Manager of the Month
Football Manager of the Month
Football Managers Award
November 1985
Nominated by a panel of Leading British Sportswriters as Football Manager of the Month
Football Manager of the Month
Best Ever Award
The 1985-86 season saw manager John Lyall lead
West Ham United to their highest league finish, coming a close third behind Liverpool and Everton.
They won 26 of their 42 games and finished with 84 points. As a mark of achievement the Hammers’ Board of Directors presented the manager with a commemorative wooden scroll plaque.
Inscription reads:
BEST EVER AWARD
MR JOHN LYALL
WEST HAM UNITED
DIVISION I
1985-86
Best Ever Award
The Football Association Coaching Licence
22 May 1986 to 31 December 1992
This is to certify that Mr. J.A. LYALL has obtained
The Football Association Coaching Licence
and is competent to coach Association Football at all levels.
Football Association Coaching Licence
Manager Service Award
John Lyall remains one of the most influential figures in West Ham United's history, serving as manager from 1974 to 1989.
His tenure spanned 15 years, making him the club’s longest-serving and most successful manager. Despite a setback in 1978, when West Ham was relegated to the Second Division, Lyall rebuilt the squad with key signings such as Phil Parkes and Ray Stewart.
His efforts paid off when the club won the Second Division title in 1981, securing promotion back to the top flight. Under his leadership, West Ham also claimed another FA Cup victory in 1980, famously defeating Arsenal.
One of Lyall’s most memorable achievements came in the 1985-86 season, when West Ham finished third in the First Division, their highest-ever league position.
Unfortunately, the club struggled to maintain its momentum, and after relegation in 1989, Lyall departed. His legacy, however, remains intact - his commitment to attacking football and his loyalty to the "West Ham Way" shaped the club’s identity for generations.
Manager 1974 - 1989
