Throughout the 2024/25 season, we're taking a look at some of the best players to have worn a range of squad numbers for West Ham United, since they were introduced for the start of the 1993/94 campaign.
Vote for your favourite No2 from the four chosen nominees below!
All West Ham No2s since 1993/94 | |
|---|---|
1993-1999 | 2006-2007 |
1999-2001 | 2007-2009 |
2001-2006 | 2010-2021 |
2006 | 2022-2024 |
Tim Breacker
DOB: 02.07.65 WHU: 1990-1999 Apps: 296 Goals: 8
Tim Breacker arrived at the Boleyn Ground aged 26 in the summer of 1990, having helped former club Luton Town win their first – and only to date – major trophy in 1988, the League Cup, and will always be remembered by West Ham fans as Club legend Billy Bonds’ first-ever signing, after deciding to drop down a division to sign for West Ham United in October 1990. The right-back made an outstanding start to his time in east London, producing a consistent series of displays that saw him build a strong defensive partnership with Steve Potts and Julian Dicks in a campaign that saw West Ham finish second and earn promotion back to the top-flight, where he appeared in 27 games. Breacker similarly featured in 47 games in all competitions in 1992/93, when he was involved in another promotion-winning season, and established himself as first choice in his position for much of the decade, playing 296 times.
Tomáš Řepka
DOB: 02.01.74 WHU: 2001-2006 Apps: 188 Goals: 0
Czech Republic international Tomáš Řepka was snapped up for a then-Club record fee of £5.5 million from Italian club Fiorentina in September 2001 by Glenn Roeder, having previously spent time at Banik Ostrava and Sparta Prague in his homeland. Throughout his five-year spell in east London, Řepka earned a forever place in the hearts of West Ham supporters for his dominance on the pitch, being unforgiving in his tackles, challenging for everything in the air and demanding the best of his teammates. Řepka was part of the squad that was somehow relegated with 42 points in 2002/03, but remained in east London. After losing 1-0 to Crystal Palace in the 2004 First Division Play-Off final, he chose to remain at the Club again, and helped the Hammers return to the top tier, starting the 2005 Play-Off final win over Preston North End at the Millenium Stadium. He departed in January 2006.
Lucas Neill
DOB: 09.03.78 WHU: 2007-2009 Apps: 89 Goals: 1
Lucas Neill was an influential and consistent presence on and off the pitch throughout his two-and-a-half years in Claret and Blue. His first half-season at the Boleyn Ground saw the full-back help the Hammers pull clear of the Premier League relegation zone with a memorable run of seven wins in their final nine matches, before he was appointed as captain in the summer of 2007, replacing the outgoing Nigel Reo-Coker. He then led the Hammers to comfortable mid-table finishes in 2007/08 and 2008/09, before joining David Moyes’ Everton. The Australia international was also captain of his country, being handed the armband after helping the Socceroos to their first FIFA World Cup finals since 1974, in Germany in 2006.
Winston Reid
DOB: 03.07.88 WHU: 2010-2021 Apps: 222 Goals: 10
Winston Reid spent over a decade at West Ham United and undoubtedly proved to be one of the best signings of the Premier League era, arriving from Danish club Midjylland following his fine performances for New Zealand at the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals. A wholehearted defender, Reid helped the Hammers win promotion in 2012, then establish themselves back in the Premier League. Voted Hammer of the Year in 2012/13, Reid then etched his name into the Club’s history books by scoring the dramatic winner against Manchester United in the final game at the Boleyn Ground in May 2016. Fittingly, Reid ended his career having made 222 appearances in Claret and Blue, albeit that end came early due to unfortunate injury issues.
