On this day - 17 July

Former West Ham United centre-half John Cushley signed professional forms with the Club on this day in 1967.

The Hamilton-born defender made his name with Glaswegian giants Celtic, forming part of the squad that travelled to Lisbon for the 1967 European Champion Clubs' Cup success.

Cushley made the move south later that same summer, making his senior debut in an opening-day 3-2 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. He was in good company, however, with Billy Bonds also making his Hammers bow that day.

In a three-year stint at the Boleyn Ground, Cushley would go onto make 46 league and cup appearances for the Club, many of which were alongside Bobby Moore, no less, at the heart of the defence.   

After leaving east London in March 1970, he returned to his native Scotland to play for Dunfermline Athletic and Dumbarton. He subsequently worked as a teacher and was also Celtic's education and welfare officer. Cushley sadly passed away on 24 March 2008, aged 65.