January 2010 marked a big moment in West Ham United’s history as lifelong Hammers and businessmen David Sullivan and David Gold took a 50% stake in the Club.
West Ham stumbled to 17th in the Premier League in 2009/10 and, shortly after the end of the campaign, manager Gianfranco Zola departed.
Into his seat came the former Israel and Chelsea boss Avram Grant, who brought a number of high-profile signings to the Club, including Germany midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger, Mexico winger Pablo Barrera, Nigeria forward Victor Obinna and a young New Zealand defender named Winston Reid.
Despite the outlay, and the arrival of more big names in January 2011 – including Republic of Ireland forward Robbie Keane, Senegal striker Demba Ba and England left-back Wayne Bridge – West Ham ended a disastrous season bottom and were relegated.
Grant departed after just one season in charge, to be replaced in June 2011 by former Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce.
Big Sam immediately set about turning the Club’s fortunes around, signing former Bolton captain Kevin Nolan and a host of experienced professionals. His reward was a trip to the Championship Play-Off final, where West Ham edged Blackpool 2-1 through Ricardo Vaz Te’s late winner.
Back in the Premier League for a third stint, the owners and manager set about re-establishing the Hammers in the top division for the long haul
Jussi Jaaskelainen, Mohamed Diame, former Hammer James Collins and club-record signing Matt Jarvis were all brought in on permanent deals, while deadline day saw the Club announce the season-long loan capture of England centre forward Andy Carroll from Liverpool.
The new-look squad started well and never looked in danger of being relegated, picking up 23 points in each half of the 2012/13 season to finish in tenth position, with the highlight being a 3-1 home win over European champions Chelsea and the highest average home attendance in the Club’s history.
Off the pitch, West Ham were named preferred tenants for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium, only for the process to be re-opened the following year. In March 2013, the Club was confirmed as anchor concessionaire, with the 54,000-capacity UEFA Category 4 stadium set to be open for the start of the 2016/17 season.
The 2013/14 campaign was less certain, with the Hammers floundering at the bottom end of the table amid a maelstrom of injuries and suspensions. However, four straight wins in February 2014 paved the way to survival and an eventual 13th-place finish.
The Club also reached the League Cup semi-finals for the second time in four seasons - Birmingham City had edged through in extra-time in 2011 - but Manchester City proved far too strong over the two legs.
During his four-years in charge, Allardyce steadied West Ham back in the top flight with three mid-table finishes before his contract expired at the end of the 2014/15 season.
