West Ham United guide - history, emblem, titles, Upton Park map

West Ham United

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Full Name: West Ham United Football Club
City: London
Founded: 1895
Stadium: Upton Park (35,303)
Colors: Claret, Blue
Previous Name: Thames Ironworks Football Club (1895-1900)
Nicknames: The Hammers, The Irons, The Academy of Football
Rivals: Millwall, Tottenham Hotspur

Description:

West Ham is a neighborhood of East London. Thames Ironworks FC were formed by and for workers of the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company in 1895. They were founder members of the London League in 1896 and played in that league for two years (and winning the league title in the second) before moving to the Southern League. In 1900 they adopted the name of the surrounding neighborhood of West Ham, becoming known as West Ham United. In 1919 they were elected to the Football League.

An explanation of some of the club's nicknames: Hammers is a reference to the club's name (and is on the logo), the Irons is a reference to the club's origins as an iron works company, the Academy of Football is a reference to the club's tradition of developing young players and playing attractive soccer. West Ham supporters famously sing 'I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles' at matches. The club's emblem includes the Boleyn Castle and a pair of riveting hammers, a reference to the club's Ironworks origins.

Major Trophies:

Second Tier League Titles

Football League Second Division (1958, 81)

Cup Titles

FA Cup (1964, 75, 80)
Charity Shield (1964*)

International Titles

European Cup Winner's Cup (1965)

Title marked with * was shared with another club.

Stadium:

Upton Park - Boleyn Ground

The stadium is located on the grounds of the former Boleyn Castle, named after Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn. Upton Park is the neighborhood of London where the stadium is located, just east of West Ham. Previous stadiums - Memorial Ground (1895-1904).