West Ham United F.C.
English football team.
West Ham United Football Club, known as "The Hammers," was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC, a team created by workers from the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company. The club changed its name to West Ham United in 1900 and quickly established itself in local football. West Ham joined the Southern League and began to build a reputation as a competitive side. In 1904, the club moved to the Boleyn Ground in Upton Park, where it would play for over a century.The early 20th century saw West Ham experience moderate success, but it was during the 1960s that the club truly flourished. Under manager Ron Greenwood, West Ham won its first major trophy, the FA Cup, in 1964 by defeating Preston North End. The following year, they achieved European glory by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup, becoming the first English club to claim a major European trophy. This period was marked by legendary players such as Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst, and Martin Peters, who were instrumental in England's triumph at the 1966 World Cup.West Ham continued to enjoy success with additional FA Cup victories in 1975 and 1980. The club became known for its attacking style of play and its ability to produce talented players through its youth academy, earning it the nickname "The Academy of Football." This academy has produced numerous top talents who have gone on to have successful careers both at West Ham and in international football.Despite these successes, West Ham faced challenges in the following decades. The club experienced relegation from the top flight multiple times but consistently managed to bounce back. The late 1990s and early 2000s saw a resurgence under manager Harry Redknapp, leading to a memorable FA Cup run in 2006 when they reached the final but lost to Liverpool in a dramatic penalty shootout.In 2016, West Ham moved from the Boleyn Ground to the London Stadium, which had been built for the 2012 Olympic Games. This transition marked a new chapter for the club, providing a modern venue with a capacity of 60,000. While the move aimed to enhance the matchday experience for fans, it also brought challenges as the club adjusted to its new surroundings.In recent years, West Ham has established itself as a competitive force in the Premier League. Under manager David Moyes, who returned to the club for a second stint in charge, West Ham achieved notable success by finishing sixth in the Premier League during the 2020-21 season and qualifying for European competition for the first time in years. The club also won its first major trophy since 1980 by lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League title in 2023.West Ham's fierce rivalry with Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most intense in English football. Matches between these two clubs are highly anticipated and showcase passionate support from both sets of fans. The club’s anthem, "I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles," is iconic and resonates deeply with supporters.