What’s
all the fuss about? Last game at “The Boleyn Ground” or Upton Park. Three
photographs that will tell you why. 1964. 1965. 1966
1964
West Ham United win the FA Cup
Captain:
Bobby Moore Geoff Hurst
1965
West Ham win the European Cup Winners Cup
Captain:
Bobby Moore Geoff Hurst Martin Peters
1966
England win the World Cup
Captain
Bobby Moore
Geoff Hurst (3) Martin Peters (1)
Many,
including Alex Ferguson, have claimed to have no idea what the “West Ham Way”
is. In 1953, England lost 3:6 at home to a superior Hungarian team. It was the
first loss after a 24 game stretch of success and showed the tactical frailties
of the English system of coaching.
Teams
like West Ham set about adapting and moving the game in England forward to
enable our teams, and then country to be competitive on a European and World
stage. The first English club to win a European title was Tottenham Hotspur, in
1963. The second, West Ham United, in 1964.
Despite
years of European success by other English clubs, the standard was set in the
east end of London. That success combined to enable England to lift the Jules
Rimet Trophy in 1966.
The
term “The Academy of Football” was coined at West Ham United – academy now,
globally, a term used to describe the best an organization can offer in terms
of development.
So,
as May 10th plays out, regardless of the result at Upton Park. A
legacy draws to a close at a place we owe much.
Forever
blowing bubbles, pretty bubbles in the air.
