It is May 1980 and, out of promotion contention, West Ham United’s season comes down to an FA Cup final showdown against one of the strongest teams in the country.
Overwhelming favourites on the day, Arsenal boasted one of the most resolute defences in the country and a formidable attacking presence consisting of free scoring duo Alan Sunderland and Frank Stapleton.
To combat this, head coach John Lyall made a bold tactical decision – still talked about among Hammers fans to this day – to move an extra player into midfield, to try and nullify Arsenal’s offensive threat. It worked, Trevor Brooking scored, and the Irons won 1-0.
Over 40 years on from West Ham’s date with destiny, the Any Old Irons – many of whom were at Wembley that day – came together in Hadleigh to look back at the Hammers’ ‘glory years’ with Lyall’s son – and honorary member of the Any Old Irons – Murray.
“I’m fortunate enough be made an honorary member of the Any Old Irons,” said Murray on his second visit to the group. “I take it very seriously, I think they’re a great bunch of people, brilliantly supported by the Foundation, and embodying the Club’s community spirit.
“They’re all very respectful of my father, so it’s great to be able to bring all of these memorabilia for them and to talk about Dad’s successes at the Club.”
The memorabilia comprised of Lyall’s England Youth cap, his signed autobiography – ‘Just like my Dreams’ – and a selection of silverware including the 1975 and 1980 FA Cup winner’s medals.
The collection of items was an opportunity for the group to reminisce over some of their fondest memories. With Lyall at the helm, the Club won two FA Cups, reached a League Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup final and achieved their highest-ever league finish of third in 1985/86.
“I had the pleasure of meeting John at his book singing in Newham, ‘Just like my dreams’,” recalled Any Old Irons member John Chapman. “We were able to have a chat about some of the games. He was the most engaging man, so easy to like. Signing autographs was not a problem, he was very helpful and so courteous.”
But arguably Lyall’s greatest success was the 1980 FA Cup upset, when West Ham beat Arsenal to become only the eighth team – and the most recent – from outside the top-flight to win English football’s oldest cup competition, an achievement yet to be emulated to this day.
“His tactics on the day against Arsenal were unbelievable,” added Murray. “The way he counteracted a really great Arsenal team, with such a wide threat of Liam Brady, Graham Rix, Sunderland and Stapleton – you don’t get any better than that in the day – by bringing in an extra midfielder from attack was brilliant. The rest as they say, is history!”
“The joy of the fans was unbelievable,” added Chapman. “I also remember with great fondness the return back to the East End that evening, going down Barking Road, seeing people enjoying themselves, almost disbelieving the fact that we’d won.
“But even that was eclipsed by the events of the following morning, when the team came back to the east end, in an open top coach, parading the cup from Newham Town Hall. The scenes were tumultuous and will always live in my memory.”
