Top 10 West Ham strikers

We got to a thinking recently, what with the recent acquisition of Chica and the dilemma we’ve faced up front in recent years. Who has been our most prolific striker or strike partnership at West Ham?

Over the years, decades and since the dawn of our football club we’ve produced some of the best strikers to have graced a football pitch. We’ve produced strike partnerships that have terrified defences across the land. But, who’s the best and who would you place at the top of the tree for West Ham?

This is our list, starting from 10...

10. Clyde Best (1968-1976)
47 goals in 186 appearances; Made his debut at a young age for the 60’s, just 18 and was the first black player to appear in West Ham colours on the pitch.

9. Jon Sissons (1962-1970)
37 goals in 213 appearances; Jon is the youngest player to score in an FA Cup final. Part of the team, in the early 60’s, that brought some celebrated years to West Ham.

8. Carlos Tevez (2006-2007)
Seven goals in a dismal season for the player and club but he’s temperament and work ethic earned him respect from the fans. And ultimately, it was his winning goal in the last game of the season at Old Trafford that helped get him on to this list.

7. Dean Ashton (2006-2009)
15 goals in just 33 appearances, he never regained his past form after suffering a nasty ankle injury whilst away on international duty with England.

6. Vic Keeble (1957-1960)
45 goals in only 76 appearances, before, just like with Dean he suffered an injury that placed him on the side-lines. One for the oldies, Vic had a fantastic strike rate which would’ve, no doubt, placed him amongst the greats if he had been lucky enough to continue his career.

5. Paolo Di Canio (1999-2003)
Scoring 48 goals in 118 appearances. A personality that endeared him to the hammers fans, not a shrinking violet but more of an explosive stick of dynamite. He had his fair-share of controversy on the pitch but his dedicated and passion to the cause won the hearts of many hammers fans.

4. Frank McAvennie (1985-1987)
A break to Celtic then back from 1989 – 1992: scoring 49 goals in 153 appearances – One part of a terrifying duo with Tony Cottee, moved to Celtic then returned in 89, snubbing Arsenal to get his hammers kit back on.

3. David Cross (1977-1982)
Embed from Getty Images

77 goals in 179 appearances. The winner of the Golden Boot award in the 1980 – 81 season, he was also part of the team that overcame Arsenal in the 1980 FA Cup Final.


2. Tony Cottee (1982-1988)
Embed from Getty Images

Re-joined 1994 – 1996: 116 goals in 280 appearances. A diehard hammers fan and a true out an out striker who stalked the oppositions box like a panther hunting down prey. His partnership with McAvenie was one of the best to come out of London.


1. Sir Geoff Hurst (1958-1972)
Embed from Getty Images

249 goals in 503 appearances. A great record of winning with West Ham; FA Cup in 1964, European Cup Winners in 1965 and he’ll always be fondly remembered for his hat-trick in the World Cup Final of 1966. One of the countries all-time greats.

***

What do you guys think? Would Sir Geoff Hurst be your number one, or are you a child of the '80s who roared for Cottee?

Fancy West Ham’s chances this season, for any kind of silverware? If you are a betting type why not put your money where your mouth is and check out the offers available from the Footy Accumulator guys. Check them out weekly for accumulator bets and get the best odds on Chica finding the target too.

We’ve managed to land Chica, though it’s not been the best start to the season, we’re at least beginning to look promising. You’ll not get great odds for us staying up, but where do you think we’ll end up? You’ll get good odds for getting our finishing position right.



* Like to share your thoughts on this article? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.

* Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the highlighted author/s and do not necessarily represent or reflect the official policy or position of KUMB.com.


More Opinion