John Lyall Archives - Blowing Bubbles

What history tells us about our chances of bouncing back to the top

September 28, 2026 Brian Penn 0

In 107 years as members of the Football League, we have been relegated on only seven occasions. During that time we have never played outside of the top two tiers – a feat achieved by

History repeats itself as West Ham follow European glory with another tragic relegation

June 15, 2026 Gary Pitty 0

I recently looked back to West Ham life in the 1980s where we finished in our highest league position (third) in the Top tier of English football in 1986, and three years later, we were

Allen McKnight: ‘West Ham still have my heart and I watch them every time I can’

April 18, 2026 Julian Shea 0

For West Ham fans, the 80s were a golden age – of nicknames. Some of the most unforgettable monickers were given to players, who have been defined by them for decades. David Cross, better known

Gary Strodder: ‘I love the old grounds, and the old days – it was a better game then’

March 13, 2026 Julian Shea 0

Anyone who finds West Ham’s transfer dealings frustrating these days would be well advised to look back at how the club did its recruitment in the 1980s. In October 1983, for what remains the only

West Ham’s biggest wins: The Hammers’ record goal-scoring victories

March 12, 2026 Brian Penn 0

West Ham’s brand of attacking football has remained largely unchanged throughout our colourful history. Such a tendency will always produce goals. In fact, a 0-0 scoreline is a rare occurrence for the Hammers as we pursue

The Lorenzo golden ticket: Luck, Bobby, and Barkingside legends

December 12, 2025 Julian Shea 0

In football, just like in life in general, a lot of things come down to luck. One moment can make a lifetime of difference. To put that in a West Ham context, good luck is

Hilkka’s Influence: Brooking’s life, the West Ham Way and his”laziness”

December 9, 2025 Neil Clack 0

A lady who inadvertently had quite a big influence on the history of West Ham died in June – Hilkka Brooking. I say that because Trevor was offered the job of full-time manager on at

Macari Months: Gambling, scandal, and a slide into chaos

December 8, 2025 Robert Banks 0

Lou Macari had what can only be described as an average start to his time at West Ham. But fears about his perceived long ball style proved unfounded as the team played football at times

The Macari Months: Chaos, controversy, and the manager who changed West Ham’s culture in 1989

November 17, 2025 Robert Banks 0

The Shock Succession: Lyall Out, Macari In Despite the rapid decline in West Ham’s fortunes following their third place finish in 1986, it still came as something of a shock when the board voted unanimously

The great betrayal: How Lyall’s £2M transfer failure sealed West Ham’s relegation

October 25, 2025 Robert Banks 0

Tony Cottee left for Everton in the summer of 1988 for a then British record fee in excess of £2m. Manager John Lyall chose to spend less than half, investing £600,000 in David Kelly and

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