Boys of '86 midfielder and all-time West Ham United hero Alan Dickens looks back on his favourite Boleyn Ground strike.
Dickens, who scored 30 goals in 234 appearances between 1982 and 1989, became a firm fan favourite for his elegant play in the centre of the park, and a central figure in John Lyall's outstanding side.
Dickens’ favourite goal was an inch-perfect finish in the 2-1 Division One victory over Ipswich Town on 30 April 1986 – a result that kept Lyall’s Hammers firmly in the race for their first league title. Dickens equalised before Ray Stewart’s late penalty secured all three points.
“My favourite goal would be Ipswich in 1986,” he told West Ham TV. “We were desperate to win the game and it was a full house and the place was really rocking.
“We went 1-0 down and Paul Goddard knocked it into me [via Frank McAvennie] on the edge of the box, I just had a little touch and just clipped it into the far corner. It was quite a good finish on my left foot and on a big occasion and I needed to score, so I think that was my best goal here.
“I ran to the fans, it was one-all and we needed to win the game to stay in the title race, so the noise was fantastic!”
West Ham would ultimately finish third, but that could not take the gloss of a fabulous finish from midfield maestro Dickens.
You can watch this and many more Green Street Goals on West Ham TV, which is free to access now!
Dickens, who scored 30 goals in 234 appearances between 1982 and 1989, became a firm fan favourite for his elegant play in the centre of the park, and a central figure in John Lyall's outstanding side.
Dickens’ favourite goal was an inch-perfect finish in the 2-1 Division One victory over Ipswich Town on 30 April 1986 – a result that kept Lyall’s Hammers firmly in the race for their first league title. Dickens equalised before Ray Stewart’s late penalty secured all three points.
“My favourite goal would be Ipswich in 1986,” he told West Ham TV. “We were desperate to win the game and it was a full house and the place was really rocking.
“We went 1-0 down and Paul Goddard knocked it into me [via Frank McAvennie] on the edge of the box, I just had a little touch and just clipped it into the far corner. It was quite a good finish on my left foot and on a big occasion and I needed to score, so I think that was my best goal here.
“I ran to the fans, it was one-all and we needed to win the game to stay in the title race, so the noise was fantastic!”
West Ham would ultimately finish third, but that could not take the gloss of a fabulous finish from midfield maestro Dickens.
You can watch this and many more Green Street Goals on West Ham TV, which is free to access now!