On Saint Patrick’s Day, we have fun West Ham United’s many links with the island of Ireland…
West Ham United have been represented by a gentle stream of gamers from throughout the Irish Sea.
The first Irishman to put on Claret and Blue was Alex McCartney, who joined from Everton in 1905 and made six appearances as a right-back in the Southern League First Division.
Born in Ballynafeigh in the southern half of Belfast in 1882, McCartney performed for Distillery and Linfield earlier than transferring to Everton. He returned residence to play for Belfast Celtic in 1906 and was capped six occasions by Ireland.
Since then, no fewer than 28 different males born on the island of Ireland have performed for the Hammers, with the most up-to-date being teenage striker Mipo Odubeko in an FA Cup tie at Manchester United in January.
In all, 17 Hammers have been capped by Ireland or the Republic of Ireland.
The First International
While the aforementioned McCartney (pictured, proper) was capped by Ireland after leaving West Ham, the first participant to be capped whereas a Hammer was Charlie Turner, who captained Ireland in a 2-2 attract Czechoslovakia in May 1938.
By then, the island had been break up into two components, established in 1922 by the Anglo-Irish Treaty that ended the Irish War of Independence, with Northern Ireland comprising six counties in the north east, and the Irish Free State comprising 26 counties overlaying the the rest of the landmass.
Both soccer associations, the Northern Ireland-based IFA and the Irish Free State-based FAI, claimed jurisdiction and chosen gamers from throughout the whole island.
Born in Athlone, County Westmeath, centre-half Turner moved to to Lancashire as a teen and, after enjoying for Leeds United and Southend United, he joined Second Division West Ham halfway by the 1937/38 season following the retirement of long-serving defender Jim Barrett.
Turner stored a clear sheet in a profitable debut towards Sheffield Wednesday in February 1938 and performed eleven video games in whole earlier than becoming a member of Hartlepools United in summer time 1939.
However, the Second World War put paid to his profession in England and he returned residence to Ireland, the place he performed and coached at Waterford earlier than managing Dublin-based Shelbourne.
Most Appearances
The Republic of Ireland was declared in 1949 and three years later the late Noel Cantwell made his West Ham debut.
One of the most interesting full-backs of his technology, Cantwell represented the Hammers on 278 events between November 1952 and September 1960 – greater than another Irishman – having been noticed enjoying for his hometown membership Cork Athletic.
Cantwell captained the Irons to promotion from the Second Division in 1958, ending a 26-year absence from the top-flight, earlier than being an ever-present and main the workforce to their joint-best League end of sixth in the previous First Division the following season.
Off the pitch, Cantwell was a deep thinker about the recreation and, alongside the likes of Malcolm Allison, Phil Woosnam and Dave Sexton, helped mould the teaching and tactical approaches that might create the Academy of Football.
On departing West Ham, Cantwell joined tonight’s guests Manchester United, who he captained to FA Cup glory in 1963, whereas he was capped 36 occasions by his nation.
Later in life, he managed Coventry City, Peterborough United and in the United States, whereas he additionally scouted for England supervisor Sven-Goran Eriksson, earlier than passing away in 2005 at the age of 73.
The Greatest
Arguably the best Irish footballer of all-time, Liam Brady, wore a West Ham shirt between March 1987 and May 1990.
Born in Dublin in 1956, the attacking midfielder excelled for St Kevin’s Boys earlier than becoming a member of Arsenal at the age of 15 in 1971 – the similar yr the Gunners received the Double.
Brady debuted at 17 in 1973 and went on to spend seven seasons in the first workforce, profitable Arsenal’s Player of the Year award 3 times, lifting the FA Cup in 1979 and signing off with an look in the 1980 European Cup Winners’ Cup remaining.
The left-footed playmaker received back-to-back Italian Serie A titles with Juventus earlier than transferring on to Sampdoria, Inter Milan and Ascoli.
In March 1987, aged 31, he determined to return to London, as he needed to deliver his kids up in England. After a £100,000 deal was agreed, Brady joined West Ham.
Arguably his best second in Claret and Blue got here when the Irons beat an all-conquering Liverpool facet 4-1 in the League Cup in November 1988.
Relegation meant Brady would spend the remaining season of his profession in the Second Division, the place he signed off with a memorable strike in a 4-0 Upton Park victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in his 532nd and final league recreation as knowledgeable in May 1990.
Born in England, performed for Ireland
A small quantity of West Ham United gamers have been capped by each Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, regardless of not being born on the island or Ireland, by their Irish ancestry.
We have already touched upon German-born Northern Ireland captain Steve Lomas.
However, earlier than him, Chris Hughton performed twice for Republic of Ireland in 1991, having been born in Forest Gate, simply down the highway from Upton Park. He earned 53 caps in whole, having certified by his Irish mom.
Gary Breen was born in Hendon in Middlesex, however certified for to play for the Republic, which he did 63 occasions between 1996-2006, together with on 9 events whereas a West Ham participant between 2002-03.
Breen was a teammate of David Connolly, who earned three of his 41 caps whereas a West Ham participant. He was born in Willesden in north west London.
More just lately, Academy graduates Declan Rice, who was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, and Josh Cullen, who was born in Southend-on-Sea, each represented the Republic of Ireland.
