West Ham United today is merely a dark horse in the Premier League with very few appearances in Europa League in the past twenty years. This is somehow in contrast to what they were recognised in 1960s and 1970s. Back then The Hammers was highly reputable English team with star players in the squad. Their return to Europa League in 2021/22 season would be a step to rekindle their golden memory of their past. The European games in London Stadium with 60,000 fans in it would bring an incredible atmosphere unlike any other neighbouring venues.
In their glorious days in the past, West Ham have had big names in the squad for their distinguished campaign in the continental second tier competition. Martin Peters, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, Alan Sealey, Ronnie Boyce, Billy Bonds, Frank Lampard Sr and Trevor Brooking are some of the figures who helped the team engrave their name on the silverware as well as made remarkable progress in Europe. They were the member of the winning squad in mid 1960s and mid 1970s under two well-respected managers in West Ham history, Ron Greenwood and John Lyall.
West Ham’s Top Achievements in the Europa Cup
West Ham won a memorable accolade in their first entry of European competition, 1964/65 UEFA Cup Winners Cup, the second tier of European football system. Ron Greenwood’s men came strong and eased past Sparta Prague, Lausanne and Real Zaragoza to the summit and thumped 1860 Munchen 2-0 at Wembley final. In the following season, The Hammers were on a mission to retain the title but failed at the semi final. Borussia Dortmund knocked out Bobby Moore and Co by 5-2 on aggregate.
In 1975/76 season, West Ham managed to reach the final again in the same competition. Unfortunately, this time they had to suffer a 2-4 defeat against Anderlecht in a thrilling encounter in Heysel Stadium, Brussels. Unfortunately, that was their last appearance at the latter stages of any continental competitions and their era of inconsistency began in 1980s. The only season they played in Europe afterwards without being beaten at the earlier stage was in 1981 Cup Winners cup by progressing to the quarter final.
Iconic Moments For West Ham
The Hammers’ have some
Iconic Moments
in their good old days. The most important one in West Ham’s history is the 1965 Winners Cup final when they crushed the German side, 1860 Munich 2-0. Alan Sealey’s brace enabled them to lift their European trophy in their first entry. The next iconic moment was in 1976 semi final. Trevor Brooking and Co were able to seal a comeback win against Eintracht Frankfurt at the second leg. Brooking himself netted a brace plus Keith Robson’s goal cancelled out Frankfurt 2-1 win in the reverse fixture and sent John Lyall’s side to the final in Heysel.
Sadly, the last game in Heysel ended in disappointment. The Hammers did not succeed in repeating their success in the previous eleven years as they were trashed by Anderlecht 2-4. Another terrible moment for their European campaign was the 1966 semi final. Their ambition to defend the title was buried in the last four by the eventual Champions, Borussia Dortmund.
