The arguments will soon be over as we begin the search for the greatest Hammers XI - the ultimate Dream Team, as chosen by YOU! So don't miss the chance to have your say and contribute to an exciting new book.
Everybody's got their own opinion on West Ham United's all-time XI, which is why we are conducting this unique survey to find the definitive Dream Team, as selected by the people who know the club best...the fans.
We've listed some of the Upton Park greats from the last 30-odd years below to help get your brain into gear, but you may well have other favourites who are not featured. The choice is yours. All you need to do is list your line-up in a 4-4-2 formation - goalkeeper; two full-backs, two centre-backs, four midfielders and two strikers.
Once the dream team has been selected, by you the fans, a book will be written and published about the players - the great games, goals and the manager - you have chosen, complete with details of the players' West Ham United careers together with tributes, and anecdotes, from past and present colleagues. And what's more, every fan who votes will have their name listed in the book. You will also enter a prize draw, with the chance to win an original painting of the final dream team and a home shirt signed by the current first team squad.
It will be a unique book and a real Hammers collectors item because YOU will have contributed to it. So don't waste any time. Start selecting your dream team now! We'd also be delighted to have fans contribute their own views on their favourite players, so if you feel like telling us why you're a Paolo Di Canio fan or a Joe Cole devotee, you can e-mail us at [email protected]. Alternatively, you can write to us care of: West Ham United Dreamteam, Hamlyn, 2-4 Heron Quays, London, E14 4JP.
The book will be written by former Shoot editor and Neil Ruddock biographer Dave Smith in conjunction with Adam Ward, author of the club's official history. And to whet your appetite, the authors have compiled their own selection:
1. Phil Parkes
2. John Bond
3. Julian Dicks
4. Billy Bonds
5. Alvin Martin
6. Bobby Moore
7. Trevor Brooking
8. Alan Devonshire
9. Bryan Robson
10. Geoff Hurst
11. Martin Peters
Greatest manager: Ron Greenwood
Greatest goal: Paolo Di Canio v Wimbledon, March 2000
Greatest game: 4-1 v Liverpool, League Cup tie, November 1988
Make your selection from the list below and email us at:
[email protected].
Alternatively, you can write to us care of: West Ham United
Dreamteam, Hamlyn, 2-4 Heron Quays, London, E14 4JP.
Goalkeepers (Pick 1):
Phil Parkes, Ludek Miklosko, David James, Bobby Ferguson, Mervyn
Day, Jim Standen.
Full backs (Pick 2):
Frank Lampard, Julian Dicks, Ray Stewart, John Bond, Noel Cantwell,
Tim Breacker.
Central defenders (Pick 2):
Alvin Martin, Bobby Moore, Rio Ferdinand, Tony Gale, Ken Brown
(Snr), Malcolm Allison
Midfielders (Pick 4):
Trevor Brooking, Martin Peters, Billy Bonds, Alan Devonshire, Joe
Cole, Peter Brabrook, Trevor Sinclair, Frank Lampard Jr, Ronnie
Boyce, Johnny Dick, Malcolm Musgrove, Ian Bishop
Strikers (Pick 2):
Tony Cottee, Frank McAvennie, Bryan Robson, Geoff Hurst, Paolo Di
Canio, Johnny Byrne