West Ham United Football Club: Introduction
West Ham United Football Club, often simply referred to as West Ham, is a professional football club based in East London, England. The club is one of the most recognized in English football, known for its passionate fan base, historic significance, and a reputation for developing homegrown talent. Below is a comprehensive overview of West Ham United:
Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.
Founding and Early History
- Established: 1895
- Original Name: Thames Ironworks F.C. (workers of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company founded the club).
- Renamed: West Ham United in 1900 after the dissolution of Thames Ironworks F.C.
- Nickname: “The Hammers” or “The Irons,” reflecting their origins in the ironworks.
West Ham United Football Club: Stadium
- Current Home Ground: London Stadium, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, London.
- Capacity: Approximately 62,500.
- Opened: 2016 (West Ham moved from their previous home, the Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park).
- Former Home Ground: Boleyn Ground (Upton Park) from 1904 until 2016.
The West Ham supporters were not comfortable with the transition to the new ground, and the atmosphere was flat for a while. Also, the lack of security was an issue for some fans.
Whereas Upton Park had a capacity of 35,016, The London Stadium holds around 60,000. Let’s hope that the amazing atmosphere from the Upton Park days can happen at their new ground soon!
West Ham United Football Club: Colours and Crest
- Primary Colours: Claret and Blue.
- Crest: Features crossed hammers, symbolizing the club’s roots in the ironworking industry. The current crest was updated in 2016 to include the silhouette of the London Stadium.
Notable Achievements
- FA Cup Titles: Three (1964, 1975, 1980).
- European Success: Winners of the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1965.
- Intertoto Cup: 1999 (joint winners).
- Premier League: West Ham has not won the Premier League but has consistently been a competitive team in the top tier of English football.
- UEFA Europa Conference League: 2023.
West Ham United Football Club: League Performance
- League History: West Ham has spent the majority of its history in the top two tiers of English football.
- Premier League: Regular participants since the league’s formation in 1992, with a few seasons in the lower divisions.
- Best Premier League Finish: 3rd place in the 1985-86 season.
We all know that West Ham United FC are an old football club that commands much respect. Apart from the FA Cup wins, most other honours mainly come from minor football competitions. All in all, their trophy cabinet is a proud display of football history. At least it keeps the cleaner in a job!
Club Culture, Identity and Rivalry
- Supporters: West Ham has a loyal and passionate fan base, traditionally associated with East London. The club’s fans are known for their fierce loyalty and the famous anthem “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles,” which is sung before every home game.
- Rivalries: The most intense rivalry is with Millwall, known as the Dockers Derby, reflecting the historical links between the two clubs. West Ham also has significant rivalries with other London clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
- Apart from the London teams above, the fans share a rivalry with Sheffield United, too.
Notable Players
- Bobby Moore: West Ham’s most iconic player, captain of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team. Considered one of the greatest defenders in football history.
- Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters: Both were also key players in England’s 1966 World Cup victory.
- Paolo Di Canio: An Italian forward, beloved for his skill and passion, who played for the club in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
- Mark Noble: A modern-day West Ham legend, known as “Mr. West Ham,” who played his entire career at the club until his retirement in 2022.
West Ham United Football Club: Management
- Current Manager (2024): Julen Lopetegui.
- Ownership: The club has seen various ownership changes over the years. As of recent years, the club has been owned by David Sullivan and David Gold, with Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský holding a significant stake.
Recent Developments
- Stadium Move: The move to the London Stadium in 2016 was controversial among fans due to the sentimental attachment to Upton Park and initial teething problems with the new ground.
- European Ambitions: In recent years, West Ham has become more competitive in the Premier League and has participated in European competitions, reflecting the club’s ambitions to be a regular in the top six.
West Ham United Football Club: Fan Culture
- Songs and Chants: “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” is the iconic anthem. Fans also engage in several other chants that reflect their East End heritage and working-class roots.
- Community Involvement: The club is actively involved in community initiatives in East London, particularly in areas related to education, employment, and social inclusion.
Legacy and Influence
- Academy of Football: West Ham is famous for its youth academy, often referred to as “The Academy of Football.” The club has produced numerous top-class players, many of whom have gone on to have distinguished careers in football, both domestically and internationally.
West Ham United remains a key part of London’s football landscape, balancing its rich history and tradition with modern ambitions. The club’s commitment to its roots, combined with its aspirations for growth, makes it one of the most fascinating and enduring teams in English football.

Promote West Ham United FC
The Football Fan Base allows fans in the UK to highlight their beloved team, of course. So join in today and do this with West Ham United FC.
Indeed, you too can help promote West ham United here at the Football Fan Base. This is because we have a great medium in which to do this. Firstly, you can post articles here on the main blog. Secondly, we have an enormous football forum where you can spotlight West Ham.
Then, we give all members here the chance to build their very own supporters website complete with a forum. So, now that you can do all this here, go ahead and promote West Ham United FC
West ham United Fans Forum
Apart from our enormous soccer blogs here at the Football Fan Base, we also have some bulletin boards.
Both the blogs and football forum are the biggest of their type on the internet.
Not only that but we now include the West ham United Fans Forum in our bulletin boards. After all, you can’t have a football forum without West Ham being prominent!

So now that you know what the Football Fan Base is all about, go ahead and start writing. Indeed, there are football bragging rights to be had as well as the banter!
** Information updated on September 2, 2024.