1985–86 West Ham United F.C. season

English football team season March 2015 October 2020 West Ham United 1985–86 Len Cearns John Lyall Boleyn Ground First Division 3rd FA Cup Sixth round League Cup Third round Frank McAvennie (26) Frank McAvennie (28) 31,121 vs Ipswich Town (30 April 1986) 9,282 vs Swansea City (24 September 1985 League Cup) 21,179 _bluelines _shoulder_stripes_bluer_stripes _bluelines 581515 581515 581515 1984–85 1986–87 The 1985–1986 season saw manager John Lyall lead West Ham United (known as "The Hammers") to their highest ever league finish, coming a close third behind Liverpool and Everton. They won 26 of their 42 games and finished with 84 points, two behind Everton and four behind eventual double winners Liverpool. The Hammers team of 1985–86 became known as The Boys of 86. Events of the season August The most notable pre-season changes to the West Ham side were midfielder Mark Ward and striker Frank McAvennie, signed from Oldham Athletic and St Mirren respectively.https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/dec/04/features.sport4 Mark Ward: 'When my career ended, I wound up with nothing. I'd never been in trouble before, now I'm serving eight years' The Guardian 4 December 2005 21 April 2015http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140613/on-this-day-13-june_2236884_3895155 On this day – 13 June whufc.com 21 April 2015 27 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150427111344/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140613/on-this-day-13-june_2236884_3895155 dead Both players made their debuts on the opening day of the season in a 1–0 defeat by Birmingham City at St Andrew's.Game played on 17 Aug 1985. Westhamstats.info (17 August 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. McAvennie played in midfield, but an injury to Paul Goddard gave the Scot the opportunity to establish himself as first choice strike partner to Tony Cottee, who was in his third full season as a regular player despite only being 21. It was a slow start to the season for the Hammers as they managed just one win from their five games in August, a 3–1 defeat of London rivals Queens Park Rangers in which McAvennie scored his first two goals for the club. He added two more in a 2–2 draw with Liverpool on 31 August. The month ended with West Ham lying 17th in a table led by Manchester United, who had a 100% record.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=31&Month=Aug&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 31 Aug West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 31 August 1985 23 January 2013Game played on 20 Aug 1985. Westhamstats.info (20 August 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 31 Aug 1985. Westhamstats.info (31 August 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. September Things got better for the Hammers in September, as they completed the month unbeaten in the league, beating Leicester City 3–0 and Nottingham Forest 4–2 at Upton Park, and drawing at Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City.Game played on 3 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (3 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 7 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (7 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 21 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (21 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 14 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (14 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 28 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (28 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. They began their Milk Cup involvement by winning 3–0 at home to Swansea City in the second round first leg.Game played on 24 Sep 1985. Westhamstats.info (24 September 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. The Hammers ended September in 13th place.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=28&Month=Sep&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 28 Sep West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 28 September 1985 23 January 2013 October October was another successful month, as the Hammers completed an aggregate win over Swansea in the Milk Cup and also managed league successes over Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town which helped them climb to seventh by the end of the month.Game played on 8 Oct 1985. Westhamstats.info (8 October 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 5 Oct 1985. Westhamstats.info (5 October 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 19 Oct 1985. Westhamstats.info (19 October 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013.Game played on 26 Oct 1985. Westhamstats.info (26 October 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. Manchester United still led the table, 10 points ahead of nearest challengers Liverpool and 15 ahead of the Hammers.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=26&Month=Oct&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 26 Oct West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 26 October 1985 23 January 2013 Disappointment came in the Milk Cup on 29 October with a third round exit at Old Trafford. Game played on 29 Oct 1985. Westhamstats.info (29 October 1985). Retrieved on 25 January 2013. November The Hammers muscled in on the title challenge by winning all five of their games in November, bookended by a 2–1 win over defending champions Everton and a 4–0 demolition of relegation-threatened West Bromwich Albion. The Hammers ended the month in third place, a mere five points behind leaders Manchester United, raising hopes that the league title would arrive at the club at long last.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=30&Month=Nov&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 30 Nov West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 30 November 1985 23 January 2013 Frank McAvennie was now the Football League's highest scorer with 17 First Division goals. December December was a mixed month for West Ham. They managed wins over Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham, but were held to a goalless draw at Luton Town and then beaten 1–0 by Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Boxing Day. The Hammers were still third in the league as 1985 drew to a close, level on points with second placed Liverpool and four adrift of a Manchester United side whose title bid appeared to be slowly falling apart after a blistering start to the season.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=26&Month=Dec&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 26 Dec West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 26 December 1985 23 January 2013 January 1986 began on a high note for the Hammers, as they eliminated neighbours Charlton Athletic from the FA Cup in the third round before winning 1–0 at Leicester in the league the following weekend. However, their title hopes suffered a blow in the next game on 18 January when they lost 3–1 to Liverpool at Anfield. They now found themselves fifth in the league and seven points behind leaders Manchester United, albeit with a game in hand.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=18&Month=Jan&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 18 Jan West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 18 January 1986 23 January 2013 The month ended with a goalless home draw against struggling Ipswich in the FA Cup fourth round. February The Hammers' 2–1 win over Manchester United on 2 February proved to be the turning point in the title race, as Ron Atkinson's side were deposed from the top of the table for the first time, allowing Everton go top. The FA Cup replay against Ipswich at Portman Road ended in another draw before West Ham won a second replay 1–0 in extra time. Due to severe weather, however, there was no more action for the Hammers that month. March West Ham went head to head with Manchester United in the race for the double as the two met in the FA Cup fifth round. The first match at Upton Park ended in a 1–1 draw, but the Hammers won the replay 2–0 at Old Trafford. However, the double dream died in the quarter-finals three days later when they were beaten 2–1 at Sheffield Wednesday.http://www.11v11.com/matches/sheffield-wednesday-v-west-ham-united-12-march-1986-215621/ Sheff Wed 2–1 West Ham 11v11.com 18 June 2013 The league title dream also appeared to be on the wane when the Hammers lost their next two games, but they ended the month on a high by avenging Sheffield Wednesday 1–0 before demolishing Chelsea 4–0 at Stamford Bridgehttp://www.whufc.com/articles/20130329/on-this-day-29-march_2236884_3125177 On this day 29 March whufc.com 18 June 2013 1 April 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130401074356/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20130329/on-this-day-29-march_2236884_3125177 dead (making a huge dent to their London rivals' title ambitions) and beating Tottenham 2–1 at Upton Park.http://www.11v11.com/matches/west-ham-united-v-tottenham-hotspur-31-march-1986-88015/ West Ham 2–1 Tottenham 11v11.com 18 June 2013 As March ended, the title challenge was firmly back on track – the Hammers were fifth in the league, 10 points adrift of leaders Liverpool but with the advantage of five games in hand.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=31&Month=Mar&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 31 Mar West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 31 March 1986 23 January 2013 April April 1986 was one of the most memorable months in the history of West Ham United Football Club. It began on a disappointing note with a 2–1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, but the Hammers showed no sign of tiredness and went into overdrive by winning eight of their next nine games, including an 8–1 demolition of Newcastle in which Alvin Martin joined the select group of defenders to score a hat-trick, scoring each goal against a different Newcastle goalkeeper!.http://www.whufc.com/articles/20071018/martin-treble-in-newcastle-rout_2236895_1328714 Martin treble in Newcastle rout whufc.com 18 June 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20120924154607/http://www.whufc.com/articles/20071018/martin-treble-in-newcastle-rout_2236895_1328714 24 September 2012 dead They ended the month in third place, four points behind leaders Liverpool but with a game in hand. There was still a chance of title glory.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=28&Month=Apr&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 28 Apr West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 28 April 1986 23 January 2013 May The final Saturday of the league season saw the Hammers win 3–2 at doomed West Bromwich Albion,http://www.11v11.com/matches/west-bromwich-albion-v-west-ham-united-03-may-1986-88093/ West Brom 2–3 West Ham 11v11.com 18 June 2013 but on the same day Liverpool sealed the title by winning at Chelsea. West Ham's final match of the season would be a straight shoot-out for second place between them and Everton.http://www.westhamunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadgen.asp?Day=03&Month=May&ssnno=115&teamno=551 Snapshot Tables 1985–1986 3 May West Ham United — West Ham United FC — Hammers Mad Westhamunited-mad.co.uk 3 May 1986 23 January 2013 The contest was won by Everton, who triumphed 3–1. Everton's prolific striker Gary Lineker also defeated Frank McAvennie in the contest for the title as First Division leading goalscorer, with Lineker on 30 goals and McAvennie on 26.https://www.thefa.com/England/news/2007/garylineker_legends Gary Lineker thefa.com 23 April 2015 West Ham had the best home record of all teams in the First Division in the 1985–86 season. Of 21 games they won 17 and lost only two.http://www.statto.com/football/teams/west-ham-united/1985-1986 West Ham 1985–86 season statto.com 1 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20141111033125/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/west-ham-united/1985-1986 11 November 2014 live There would be no chance of a UEFA Cup challenge the following season, as UEFA voted for the ban on English clubs in European competitions (imposed the previous year in the wake of the Heysel disaster) to continue for a second season. On a more positive note, West Ham held onto their key players for the 1986–87 season, despite a growing trend for the league's top players to move abroad in order to be able to play in European competitions. League table 1985–86 Football League#First Division First Division y WHU Results West Ham United's score comes first Football League First Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 17 August 1985 Birmingham CityA0–111,164 20 August 1985 Queens Park RangersH3–115,530McAvennie (2), Dickens 24 August 1985 Luton TownH0–114,104 26 August 1985 Manchester UnitedA0–250,773 31 August 1985 LiverpoolH2–219,762McAvennie (2) 3 September 1985 SouthamptonA1–114,477McAvennie 7 September 1985 Sheffield WednesdayA2–219,287McAvennie, Cottee 14 September 1985 Leicester CityH3–012,125McAvennie, Devonshire, Cottee 21 September 1985 Manchester CityA2–222,001Cottee, McCarthy (o.g.) 28 September 1985 Nottingham ForestH4–214,540Cottee, McAvennie (2), Dickens 5 October 1985 Newcastle UnitedA2–126,709McAvennie, Cottee 12 October 1985 ArsenalH0–024,057 19 October 1985 Aston VillaH4–115,034McAvennie (2), Cottee (2) 26 October 1985 Ipswich TownA1–016,849Cottee 2 November 1985 EvertonH2–123,844McAvennie (2) 9 November 1985 Oxford UnitedA2–113,140Cottee, Ward 16 November 1985 WatfordH2–121,490McAvennie, Ward 23 November 1985 Coventry CityA1–011,042McAvennie 30 November 1985 West Bromwich AlbionH4–016,325Cottee, Parris, Devonshire, Orr 7 December 1985 Queens Park RangersA1–023,836McAvennie 14 December 1985 Birmingham CityH2–017,481McAvennie, Stewart (pen) 21 December 1985 Luton TownA0–014,599 26 December 1985 Tottenham HotspurA0–133,835 11 January 1986 Leicester CityA1–011,359McAvennie 18 January 1986 LiverpoolA1–341,056Dickens 2 February 1986 Manchester UnitedH2–122,642Ward, Cottee 15 March 1986 ArsenalA0–131,240 19 March 1986 Aston VillaA1–211,579Hunt (o.g.) 22 March 1986 Sheffield WednesdayH1–016,604McAvennie 29 March 1986 ChelseaA4–029,955Devonshire, Cottee (2), McAvennie 31 March 1986 Tottenham HotspurH2–127,497Cottee, McAvennie 2 April 1986 Nottingham ForestA1–217,498Cottee 8 April 1986 SouthamptonH1–022,459Martin 12 April 1986 Oxford UnitedH3–123,956Trewick (o.g.), McAvennie, Stewart (pen) 15 April 1986 ChelseaH1–229,361Cottee 19 April 1986 WatfordA2–016,651Cottee, McAvennie 21 April 1986 Newcastle UnitedH8–124,735Martin (3; 1 pen), Stewart, Orr, Roeder (o.g.), Goddard, McAvennie 26 April 1986 Coventry CityH1–027,251Cottee 28 April 1986 Manchester CityH1–027,153Stewart (pen) 30 April 1986 Ipswich TownH2–131,131Dickens, Stewart (pen) 3 May 1986 West Bromwich AlbionA3–217,651McAvennie, Cottee, Stewart (pen) 5 May 1986 EvertonA1–340,073Cottee FA Cup 1985–86 FA Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR35 January 1986 Charlton AthleticA1–013,037CotteeR425 January 1986 Ipswich TownH0–025,035R4R4 February 1986 Ipswich TownA1–1aet25,384CotteeR4RR6 February 1986 Ipswich TownA1–0aet14,515CotteeR55 March 1986 Manchester UnitedH1–126,441McAvennieR5R9 March 1986 Manchester UnitedA2–030,441Pike, Stewart (pen)R612 March 1986 Sheffield WednesdayA1–235,522Cottee League Cup 1985–86 Football League Cup +RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR2 1st leg24 September 1985 Swansea CityH3–09,282Cottee, McAvennie, Stewart (pen)R2 2nd leg8 October 1985 Swansea CityA3–2 (won 6–2 on agg)3,584Stewart (2 pen), CotteeR329 October 1985 Manchester UnitedA0–132,057 Squad statistics No.PlayerPositionLgeAppsLgeGlsFACAppsFACGlsLCAppsLCGlsTotalAppsTotalGlsDate signedPrevious clubWest Ham United F.C. 1985–86 First XI (Most appearances)1EnglandPhil ParkesGK427352-February 1979Queens Park Rangers2ScotlandRay StewartRB39661334810September 1979Dundee United3EnglandSteve WalfordLB273333-August 1983Norwich4EnglandTony GaleCB427352-August 1983Fulham5EnglandAlvin Martin (Captain)CB40473504July 1976Academy6EnglandAlan DevonshireLM38363473October 1976Southall7EnglandMark WardRM42373523August 1985Oldham Athletic8ScotlandFrank McAvennieCF412671315128June 1985St Mirren9EnglandAlan DickensCM40 (1)47350 (1)41982Academy10EnglandTony Cottee (Hammer of the Year)CF41 (1)20743251 (1)26September 1982Academy11ScotlandNeil OrrCM33 (3)21 (1)337 (4)2January 1982MortonPlayers with 10+ appearances3EnglandGeorge ParrisLB23 (3)170 (2)30 (5)11985Academy11EnglandGeoff PikeCM1051151September 1974AcademyOther players with appearances8EnglandPaul GoddardCF1 (5)10 (1)1 (6)1August 1980Queens Park Rangers5EnglandPaul HiltonCB22-1984Bury10EnglandGreg CampbellCF1 (2)1 (2)-1984Academy12EnglandBobby BarnesCF0 (1)0 (1)-1980Academy12EnglandSteve PottsRB0 (1)0 (1)-May 1984Academy References 1985-86 Category:1985–86 Football League First Division by team Category:1985 in sport in London Category:1986 in sport in London