On this day 12 years ago, West Ham United made one of the most most significant transfers in recent Club history as Ricardo Vaz Tê joined the Irons from Barnsley.
One of three deals done by Sam Allardyce’s side that day, there is no denying that Vaz Tê’s impact stands the test of time. Less than five months later, the Portuguese forward would score the goal that sent West Ham United back to the Premier League.
It means, 12 years on, the attacker is still fondly remembered by the Claret and Blue Army.
“How could I not love my time with this Club?” Vaz Tê smiled. “I met my wife – the love of my life – while I was with this Club. We now have our beautiful kids, and all of that comes from being at West Ham United.
“I also got stability and good friends, and a Club that has always shown me love, respect and consideration. There is nothing that compares for me.”
BOOMING AT BARNSLEY
It is fair to say, half-a-year before becoming a West Ham player, that Vaz Tê’s career was somewhat in the wilderness.
Short spells with Greek side Panionios and Scottish team Hibernian had failed to yield long-term contracts, and the then 22-year-old found himself desperately searching for an opportunity to prove himself.
That chance would come at Championship team Barnsley, who took Vaz Tê on trial. That trial turned into a full-time deal, and the striker found his form for the Tykes in late 2011.
While, from the outside in, Vaz Tê looked right at home at Barnsley, there were still complications.
“I know it seems like I hit the ground running at Barnsley but I don’t think it was the case,” he said. “I didn’t properly start playing until the October. I remember playing against Nottingham Forest at the start of the season and then we played a cup game, against Wycombe Wanderers, and I played poorly. We lost and the manager Keith Hill was outraged and tried to kick me out of the club.
“But after that, I started playing and from there, started to show what I could do. I feel like a lot of my career has been about proving myself.”
Although he had scored against Burnley and Cardiff, it was in December that Vaz Tê truly found his best form. Further finishes against Peterborough and Ipswich Town were followed by two goals against Crystal Palace and a hat-trick versus Leeds United.
The forward was flying.
“David Flitcroft, Keith’s assistant, was my boy,” he explained. “He was the good cop in the relationship and was always putting his arm around me, and told me I mattered and made me feel welcome.
I had good teammates too. I owe a lot to Miles Addison, a midfielder who was there at the same time. Addison was doing extra training all the time. I singled him out and knew I needed to follow his example. I think that’s where my drive to be more professional came from.”
IRONS INTEREST
It was on the back of five goals in four Championship matches that Vaz Tê and his Barnsley teammates visited the Boleyn Ground in mid-December 2011.
It was a cold winter fixture that West Ham won 1-0 but, more importantly for the attacker, it was the first indication that a move to east London could be on the cards come the transfer window.
“The first hint was when we came to play at the Boleyn Ground. The night before, I stayed in a room with Jacob Butterfield and he was saying that West Ham was interested in him. I was really pleased for him and wanted him to play well in the game,” Vaz Tê said.
“But when the match actually started, Kevin Nolan kind of gave it away. He was asking me loads of questions during the game like ‘what’s your contract with Barnsley like?’
“I first took it as him trying to throw me off and distract me from the match, and I think there was an element of that too, but there was also something genuine in those questions. Then the official interest came through my agent and Barnsley.”
Of course, a transfer to West Ham would mean a reunion with Sam Allardyce, the manager who had brought Vaz Tê through the Bolton Wanderers system and into the first team.
By Vaz Tê’s own admission, the two had a turbulent relationship at Bolton, something the forward puts down to his own naivety as a young player.
“To be honest, my relationship with Sam at Bolton was confusing at times. But that was on me, as a young player. I can see, now I’m older, how the coaches think and want to impact a young player.
“I know Sam and his coaches had the best intentions, but it just didn’t work for me. I wasn’t the kid who was receptive to that. Now though, I can see what Sam was trying to do with me. He was trying to shape me and make me a much better player.
“I remember once, he got Sammy Lee to watch Manchester United v Sporting Lisbon at Old Trafford with the instruction of watching what Cristiano Ronaldo did. That’s what he wanted for me. The problem was that the way he went about it did not match with who I was as a person.”
DEADLINE DAY
Vaz Tê was one of three Deadline Day deals done by the Hammers in January 2012, with Ravel Morrison moving to the Club from Manchester United and striker Nicky Maynard signing from Bristol City.
Vaz Tê felt like the underdog in that trio, but the forward was determined to make the most of his transfer and prove to himself ‘Big Sam’ and the Claret and Blue Army of his worth.
“Nicky was flying at Bristol City and everyone projected him to do really well, and everyone knows about the talent Rav had too,” he continued. “I came in as the underdog. I think some people labelled me just as part of the old Bolton Wanderers group.
“I knew I had to hit the ground running because I was joining a Club the magnitude of West Ham. I wanted my focus to be completely on making the biggest impact.
“For the gaffer, I think he wanted to know that I had matured. I believe he had faith in my abilities but, if I was still the rebellious kid then I don’t think he would have signed me.
“When I came to do the medical with West Ham, I went in and saw him, and all he wanted to know was if I had matured. After five minutes, he told me he could see I was different and we were going to be alright.”
Vaz Tê’s signature was scrawled on the West Ham contract, but the Hammers were not the only side interested in adding the attacker to their squad.
Indeed, had the Portuguese youngster taken another offered path, he may have even lined up on the other side of the Championship Play-off final at Wembley Stadium six months later.
He said: “I was attracted by the magnitude of West Ham United. This is a really big Club. I remember Ian Holloway, who was at Blackpool at the time, called me directly and begged me to go there. When he went to Crystal Palace, he also called me and asked me to go there too.
“Southampton were also interested but I really believed in the West Ham United project and the potential of the Club. You can see how far West Ham has come in the last few years and there’s no reason the Club can’t go even further.
“There is a big history at this Club too and I believe West Ham could be a true global force.”
HAMMERS HISTORY
With his place at West Ham secured, Vaz Tê’s efforts would be crucial in the second half of the campaign. Ten goals in 15 league games, including a hat-trick against Brighton & Hove Albion, secured third in the Championship and a place in the Play-offs.
Once again, Vaz Tê’s goals would be pivotal. An assist in the semi-final first-leg, away at Cardiff City, was followed by a goal in the second leg.
Then, of course, there was the goal that every West Ham United fan remembers; a winner at Wembley Stadium on 87 minutes to fire the Irons back to the Premier League.
Netting 19 goals in 61 appearances, it will always be the winner against Blackpool that fans want to talk about. It is a mutual love, shared between player and supporters. One that will always endure.
“What I honestly didn’t see was my goals being needed as much as they were needed, but did I visualise myself scoring goals for West Ham United? Yes I did,” Vaz Tê added. “The bit I would never have predicted was the Play-off Final, the need for the late goal, and the storybook scenes.
“This Club means so much to me. The fans are incredible. Everywhere I go, I feel the love from West Ham fans. I remember going to Cancun on holiday and, when I arrived at the hotel, I met West Ham fans!
“I am always greeted with love and I feel so much gratitude for that. The fans mean a lot to me, and I hope I mean a lot to them too.”
