Here are my favourite keepers in half a century of supporting West Ham

In 52 years of watching West Ham play in the flesh, I’ve seen a wide range of goalkeepers come and go. During my time, 35 goalies have passed through the Hammers’ ranks. From Bobby Ferguson and Mervyn Day in the 1970s to Phil Parkes and Tom McAlister in the 1980s.

We mustn’t forget Ludek Miklosko’s dominance in the 1990s and a flirtation with North American goalkeepers including Craig Forrest and Ian Feuer. There was a fondness for England goalkeepers such as David James, Joe Hart and even Peter Shilton although he never played a first team game.

Recent times have seen a steady stream of imports of which Lukasz Fabianski has been the best. But what does it take to fill this most unique position; and who are the 10 greatest goalies to have pulled on a green (or yellow) jersey for West Ham? The characteristics of a great goalkeeper can be reduced to four key elements.

Firstly, positioning; in his autobiography Gordon Banks said ‘the mark of a good goalkeeper is how few saves he has to make during a game. A spectacular save is the last resort when all else – positioning, anticipation, defence – have failed’. That legendary save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup was in Banksy’s view the result of poor positioning.

As Jairzinho crossed from the right, Banks moved off his line, seemingly convinced of the ball’s trajectory. However, it landed much deeper and closer to the far post which forced him to quickly readjust. In reaching Pele’s header and turning it around the post, Banks demonstrated the next characteristic.

Secondly, agility; England’s most capped goalkeeper Peter Shilton devised a punishing training regime as a young player at Leicester. There were sessions where he worked on different positions to counter shots from multiple angles. Therefore, agility became second nature and overlearned to the point he could react in an instant.

Thirdly, distribution; the best goalkeepers will be in tune with outfield players. A well-placed goal kick or throw to a player in space will surprise an opponent and spark an attack. The introduction of the no pass back rule forced goalkeepers more into open play. The ‘sweeper keeper’ soon emerged as the best goalies were comfortable with the ball at their feet.

Those who can extend their distribution skills in this way can provide defensive cover whenever needed. There are many sweeper keepers in the modern game and several play for Premier League clubs including Nick Pope, Alisson, Emi Martinez and Jordan Pickford. Whilst such skill is valuable it does make the exponents more prone to errors.

Finally, courage; they occupy the most dangerous position on the pitch and regularly risk injury to ply their trade. Goalies routinely dive at the feet of players and engage in aerial tussles which make them especially vulnerable.

In his autobiography, former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson described an appalling catalogue of injuries that included concussion, a dislocated shoulder and elbow, bruised ribs and broken fingers. Whilst they are more protected than before it’s not a role for the faint hearted.

There were of course great goalies at West Ham prior to the 1970s, and can boast a long line of bruised and battered heroes between the sticks. Ted Hufton was the Hammers’ last line of defence between the wars. He served in the Coldstream Guards during the Great War and was wounded in action.

Whilst recuperating he guested for West Ham in unofficial games. Hufton was eventually signed from Sheffield United in 1919. Promotion to the First Division was secured in 1922/23 and a memorable season ended with an appearance in the first Wembley Cup Final.

He made 402 appearances in total and kept 113 clean sheets. Over a six year period Hufton was capped six times by England and typified the hard as granite players of the era. He stares determinedly from black and white pictures wearing a roll neck sweater – evidently a ‘must have’ for all goalkeepers at the time.

The Stratford-born Ernie Gregory signed professional for West Ham in May 1939. After serving with the Army and RAF during the war, Gregory made his league debut in December 1946. He won an England ‘B’ cap and was a mainstay of the side that won the Second Division title in the 1957/58 season.

After 406 appearances and 87 clean sheets, Gregory began a much longer career as a member of the club’s backroom staff. He became the fulcrum of the Hammers’ boot room, coaching both the reserves and first team. Most significantly Gregory worked with successive generations of goalkeepers who followed him.

There could be no finer servant who eventually retired in 1987 after 51 years’ service as a Hammer. Jim Standen was something of a journeyman when he joined West Ham in 1962. He was signed as cover for regular goalie Lawrie Leslie who was injured. But quickly won his place with a series of stirring performances often against the strongest opposition.

Standen kept goal in two Wembley Cup Finals and made 235 appearances including 45 clean sheets. Jim Standen was also a skilled first class cricketer who enjoyed a parallel career with Worcestershire. The medium pace bowler took 313 wickets at an average of 25.34 and played in the County Championship winning side of 1964.

A true guardian of the Corinthian spirit who played football in the winter and cricket in the summer. There is a chocolate box selection of goalies that now come within my purview. Unlike their predecessors, I have seen them play in the flesh and am not restricted to written accounts and statistics.

I have witnessed how they react under pressure and respond to errors. Clean sheets are a good indicator but don’t necessarily tell the whole story. A goalkeeper might concede four goals yet have a great game, in spite of a defence that goes missing in front of him.

There’s nowhere for a goalkeeper to hide if he makes a mistake. Unlike outfield players who can easily shift the blame to the goalie if it suits them. With all of those factors in mind here are the ten greatest goalkeepers I’ve seen play.

10: Tom McAlister – 100 appearances, 18 clean sheets 1981-1989

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A native of Clydebank, McAlister was signed ostensibly as cover for first choice goalkeeper Phil Parkes. Such was the dominance of his senior, McAlister only played when Parkes was injured. He managed 32 league appearances in the 1984/85 season which proved to be his busiest in the first team. His final appearance that season was against QPR where he sustained a broken rib and punctured lung, which once again underlines the perilous nature of a goalkeeper’s lot. A thoroughly reliable deputy who stepped up whenever he was required.

9: Stephen Bywater – 65 appearances, 20 clean sheets 1998-2006

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Whilst seen as a product of the club’s youth academy, Stephen Bywater was born and raised in the North West. He played one first team game for Rochdale before signing for West Ham in 1998. Bywater was assimilated as a Hammers ‘product’ and appeared in the 1998 FA Youth Cup winning side alongside Joe Cole and Michael Carrick. However, he never quite managed to make the position his own and was often third choice goalkeeper. His best season was 2004/05 when he featured in 38 games and helped secure promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. A capable goalkeeper who never quite fulfilled his potential at top level.

8: David James – 102 appearances, 29 clean sheets 2001-2004

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Although a full England international, David James was surprisingly light on medals when he joined West Ham. Seven years with Liverpool had produced one solitary League Cup win. He was forever labelled as a member of the Spice Boys, a gaggle of underachieving pretty boys so prevalent at Anfield in the 90s. Prior to the 1996 FA Cup Final, they sported cream Giorgio Armani suits that made them look more like ice cream salesmen than elite athletes.

It was a personal nadir they all struggled to live down. He joined West Ham from Aston Villa for a fee of £3.5 million in July 2001. Typically, he picked up a knee injury playing for England and his debut was delayed by four months. Whilst there was no doubting his ability James was hopelessly inconsistent, leaving fans and teammates guessing what he might do next. The nickname ‘Calamity James’ was sadly well earned, particularly when he had the ball at his feet. But he could be a commanding figure in the penalty box and was a highly effective shot stopper.

7: Shaka Hislop – 157 appearances, 49 clean sheets 1998-2002 and 2005-2006

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This Hackney-born goalie had a circuitous career route that took him stateside before returning to play in the country of his birth. Shaka Hislop grew up in Trinidad and played youth football for collegiate side Howard Bison. He later played for Reading and Newcastle before joining West Ham. The club enjoyed three top 10 finishes with Hislop in goal, which included fifth place in 1998/99. He enjoyed one last flourish when he played in the 2006 FA Cup Final.

6: Mervyn Day – 234 appearances, 58 clean sheets 1973-1979

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Upon making his debut Ron Greenwood declared that Mervyn Day would be West Ham’s goalkeeper for the next 10 years. Such dominance never quite materialised but the early signs were encouraging. He played in the FA Cup winning side of 1975 whilst still a teenager.

Day won five England Under 23 caps and received the PFA Young Player of the Year award. All looked rosy for a goalkeeper barely into his 20s. Yet for some inexplicable reason Day suffered an alarming loss of form. His confidence deserted him and was cruelly dubbed ‘Dracula’ for his apparent fear of crosses.
Injuries didn’t help but the arrival of Phil Parkes was the final nail in Day’s West Ham career.

5: Robert Green – 241 appearances, 62 clean sheets 2006-2012

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There are career defining moments for most players; for Robert Green they came at the very highest level in England’s colours. He was signed from Norwich and proved a sound goalkeeper with no obvious weaknesses. However Green joined a team that was struggling in the lower reaches of the Premier League, but eventually helped steer the club to two top 10 finishes.

West Ham were relegated in 2011 as Avram Grant’s ill-fated tenure came to an end, and Green was instrumental in the club’s immediate promotion back to the Premier League. He gained the unwanted distinction of being the first England goalkeeper to be sent off in a World Cup Qualifier against Ukraine. More ignominy followed in the World Cup Finals against USA. Green fumbled a long range effort from Clint Dempsey in a game that finished 1-1. A salutary lesson that shows a goalkeeper’s errors will be remembered more clearly than the countless saves they make.

4: Bobby Ferguson – 276 appearances, 70 clean sheets 1967-1980

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A persistent story nags Bobby Ferguson’s transfer from Kilmarnock to West Ham for a then record fee of £65,000. Ron Greenwood had the option to sign Gordon Banks who was transfer listed by Leicester City. But declined on the basis he had already ‘shaken hands’ on the deal to sign Ferguson.

The opportunity to have four members of the England World Cup winning team wasn’t enough for Greenwood to go back on his word. This shouldn’t obscure the fact that Ferguson was a very good goalkeeper who often sustained significant injury during a game and still played on. An invaluable quality in an age when substitute goalkeepers were not permitted.

3: Lukasz Fabianski – 207 appearances, 54 clean sheets (as at Nov 2024) 2018-present

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The only exception to the order of clean sheets is to account for the outstanding contribution of Lucasz Fabianski. The Polish international was signed from Swansea and immediately made an impact. He was a key member of the side that finished sixth in the 2021/22 season, and it is no overstatement to say he kept the club up on certain occasions. Now in his late 30s, Fabianski had stepped into cup games mode in favour of Alphonse Areola. But has come back into the frame this season as Areola’s frailties have been exposed. An outstanding keeper and fine servant to the club.

2: Ludek Miklosko – 373 appearances, 126 clean sheets 1990-1998

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Such was the affection for ‘Ludo’ that fans composed a chant in his honour. Whilst fans’ appreciation of European geography leaves something to be desired it remains a touching tribute. The Czech had big boots to fill following the departure of Phil Parkes but acquitted himself superbly. Rightly looked upon as a cult figure and a fully paid up member of the Hammers Hall of Fame.

1: Phil Parkes – 440 appearances, 146 clean sheets 1979-1990

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Eyebrows were raised when John Lyall paid a record fee of £565,000 for the services of Phil Parkes. But could his knees cope with the price tag that made him the world’s most expensive goalkeeper? Parkes’ joints took care of themselves as he went on to become West Ham’s greatest exponent between the sticks.

I have clear memories of Parkes’ signing and the excitement that greeted his debut against Oldham Athletic. As he took up position behind the South Bank goal the fans were desperate to greet him. The kick off was delayed by ten minutes because so many fans wanted to shake hands with him.

West Ham won 3-0 that day and were handily placed in 4th. Unfortunately, the Hammers missed out on promotion that season, but won the FA Cup Final in 1980 when Arsenal were turned over in fine fashion. Parkes was a key member of the Second Division Championship side promoted to the top flight in 1981.

Although troubled by injury, he was ever present in four seasons including 1985/86 when West Ham came within a whisker of the league title. As a goalkeeper he was strong in all departments, and can recall few major errors in all the years I saw him play.

It’s astonishing that Parkes was only awarded one full England cap. Admittedly, he played in the era of Gordon Banks, Peter Shilton, Ray Clemence and Joe Corrigan who provided fierce competition. But it doesn’t do justice to someone who was the complete goalkeeper. In any other era he would have won 70 caps and played in the World Cup.

One easily runs out of superlatives for a player who was obviously world class but fell into the margins by a simple twist of fate. At the very least he remains West Ham’s greatest ever goalkeeper and we were lucky to have him.