Top 10 greatest West Ham legends of all time: Who was the best?

Top 10 greatest West Ham legends of all time: Who was the best?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:57 PM

West Ham United is one of the top London-based clubs playing in the English Premier League. The team has enjoyed a significant amount of success in its history, including producing great footballers. In this article, we rank some of the best West Ham legends of all time.

West Ham legends of all time
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Although the Hammers have never won the Premier League, they have attracted several talented footballers. Some of them have become legends of the club, loved and honored by fans worldwide.

West Ham legends of all-time

Our West Ham legends list is based on players' impact and contribution to the team, including titles, won, and caps.

10. Frank Lampard Snr.

Old West Ham players
Frank Lampard in action for the Hammers. He is among the club's top legends. Photo: Peter Robinson
Source: Getty Images

The legendary left-back is a product of the Hammers academy. He spent 18 years at the club and established his legacy among the best West Ham legends defenders in history. He is also the father of ex-Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Frank Richard George Lampard
  • Date of birth: 20 September 1948
  • Place of birth: East Ham, England
  • Age: 73 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.8m
  • Weight: 80kg
  • West Ham career: 1967-1985
  • Games: 660
  • Goals: 22
  • Trophies: FA Cup (1975, 1980)
  • Net worth: $2 million

9. Mark Noble

Mark Noble's passion and dedication to the club from the youth to the senior level cannot go unrecognized.

The iconic midfielder is also the captain and longest-serving player in the current squad. Moreover, he is one of the best West Ham players since 2000.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Mark James Noble
  • Date of birth: 8 May 1987
  • Place of birth: England
  • Age: 34 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.8m
  • Weight: 68kg
  • West Ham Career: 2004-date
  • Games: 542 (as of March 2022)
  • Current goals: 62
  • Honors: West Ham player of the Year (twice)
  • Networth: $28.2 million

8. Alvin Martin

Alvin is regarded as one of the best West Ham football legends following a successful campaign with the club.

Alvin was a classy central defender and a loyal servant of the Hammers. He also ranks among the team's longest-serving players.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Alvin Martin
  • Date of birth: 29 July 1958
  • Age: 63 (as of March 2022)
  • Place of birth: Walton, Liverpool
  • Nationality: English
  • West Ham career: 1976-1996
  • Games: 586
  • Goals: 27
  • Net worth: $5 million

7. Paolo Di Canio

West Ham football legends
Paolo Di Canio of the Hammers controls the ball against Derby County in the FA Carling Premiership match at Upton Park in London. Photo: Gary M Prior
Source: Getty Images

Paolo Di Canio is considered an icon of the Hammers. However, he spent a relatively short time at the club compared to the other West Ham legends on our list. Nevertheless, his skills and passion for the team made him one of the fans' favorites.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Paolo Di Canio
  • Date of birth: 9 July 1968
  • Age: 53 (as of March 2022)
  • Place of birth: Rome, Italy
  • Nationality: Italian
  • West Ham career: 1999-2002
  • Games: 138
  • Goals: 50
  • Net worth: $15 million

6. Julian Dicks

Biggest West Ham legends
Julian Dicks of the Hammers shouts to his teammates during an FA Carling Premiership match against Newcastle United at Upton Park in London. Photo: Anton Want
Source: Getty Images

The left-footed full-back was a threat to many opponents during his time with the Hammers. Fans loved watching his powerful runs along the left wing. Julian is considered the best left-back ever to play for the club.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Julian Andrew Dicks
  • Date of birth: 8 August 1968
  • Age: 53 (as of March 2022)
  • Place of birth: Bristol, England
  • Nationality: English
  • West Ham career: 1988-1993, 1994-1999
  • Games: 326
  • Goals: 65
  • Honors: West Ham's player of the Year (Four times)
  • Net worth: $19 million

Top five famous West Ham legends

Let's look at some of the best West Ham legends in history and their achievements. Who has West Ham's most appearances?

5. Vic Watson

Vic Watson was a lethal center-forward who bagged 13 hat-tricks for the Hammers. He is the club's record goalscorer with 326 goals.

Watson is also remembered for scoring six goals in the 8-2 home victory over Leeds United on 9 February 1929. He is one of the best old West Ham players on the list.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Vic Watson
  • Date of birth: 10 November 1897
  • Place of birth: Girton, England
  • Date of death: 3 August 1988 (aged 90)
  • Nationality: English
  • West Ham career: 1920-1935
  • Games: 505
  • Goals: 326

4. Geoff Hurst

West Ham legends players
Geoff Hurst of the Hammers during a League Division One match against Leeds United at Upton Park in London, UK, 21 November 1964. Photo: Evening Standard
Source: Getty Images

Fourth on our top legends of the Hammers is the iconic striker, Geoff Hurst. The goal-scoring machine helped the Hammers win their first-ever FA Cup in 1964. Hurst also stirred England to World Cup glory in 1966.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Geoff Hurst
  • Date of birth: 8 December 1941
  • Place of birth: England
  • Age: 80 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.82m
  • West Ham career: 1959-1972
  • Games: 499
  • Goals: 248
  • Trophies: FA Cup (1964)
  • Honors: UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (1968), English Football Hall of Fame (2004), West Ham's player of the Year (Three times)
  • Net worth: $62 million

3. Billy Bonds

The combative midfielder ranks third in our list of West Ham legends players. In addition, he boasts of the most appearance for the club (793), stretching over 20 years.

Bonds also bagged numerous trophies and accolades with his beloved club.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Arthur Billy Bonds
  • Date of birth: 17 September 1946
  • Place of birth: Woolwich, England
  • Age: 75 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • West Ham career: 1967-1988
  • Games: 799
  • Goals: 61
  • Trophies: FA Cup (1975, 1980)
  • Honors: West Ham's player of the Year (1971, 1974, 1975, 1987)
  • Net worth: $1 million - $9 million

2. Trevor Booking

Trevor Booking was another phenomenon during his 17-year career with the Hammers. The attacking midfielder has a stand at Upton Park named after him.

Trevor later returned to manage the team on two occasions.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Trevor Brooking
  • Date of birth: 2 October 1948
  • Place of birth: England
  • Age: 73 (as of March 2022)
  • Nationality: English
  • West Ham career: 1967-1984
  • Games: 643
  • Goals: 102
  • Trophies: FA Cup (1975, 1980)
  • Honors: West Ham's player of the Year (four times)
  • Net worth: $72 million

1. Bobby Moore

Talk of one of the greatest defenders of all time, and Bobby Moore's name will pop up. He received several praises for his leadership and defensive skills.

Moore captained England to the 1966 World Cup triumph. He also won the 1964/65 UEFA Cup Winners Cup with the Hammers and much more.

Profile summary

  • Full name: Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore
  • Date of birth: 12 April 1941
  • Place of birth: Barking, Essex, England
  • Place of death: 24 February 1993 (aged 51)
  • Nationality: English
  • Height: 1.83m
  • Weight: 78kg
  • West Ham career: 1958-1974
  • Games: 646
  • Goals: 27
  • Trophies: FA Cup (1964), UEFA Cup Winners Cup (1965), International Soccer League (1964)
  • Honors: Ballon D'Or Runner Up (1970), FWA Footballer of the Year (1964), West Ham player of the Year (1961, 1963, 1968, 1970), PFA Team of the Century (2007)
  • Net worth: $8 million

West Ham legends FIFA 22

Paolo Di Canio, Geoff Hurst, and Trevor Booking are the leading iconic stars of the club from the FIFA 22 heroes ratings.

Not many players replicate their impressive club performances to their national teams. However, most West Ham legends have also proved their talents on national duties. Meanwhile, the Hammers continue producing a pool of talents across generations.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.