West Ham: all about the football team

West Ham United is a team from London that doesn't chase the big headlines but always stays in the game. Founded in 1895 as a football club of shipyard workers, it grew over the years into a full-fledged participant in the Premier League and European Cups.

The club has its history, its traditions, its heroes — and even its own song, which everyone who has been to a match at least once knows. They do not promise mountains of gold here, but honestly work in the field. And this is West Ham's greatest asset.

\n
\"West Ham are a team that proves that true strength lies in tradition and character.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

West Ham history

At first it was just a team of factory workers who were going to chase the ball after the shift. But over time, the matter became serious. In 1900 the club changed its name to the one it bears today. West Ham played in the lower divisions for a long time until it made its way to the Higher League, where it began to gain momentum.

**The very first FA Cup final for West Ham was in 1923 - the one that went down in history as the \"white final\" because of the crowd at Wembley. Then the team lost, but it was already talked about.

In the 60s the club really opened up. The players of West Ham — Moore, Hurst, Peters — were the basis of the England team, which won the World Cup in 1966.

\n
\"Then there were different periods. There were years in the First Division, there were also in the Championship. But West Ham always came back.\"
\n

In the 2000s, the team found a new rhythm — building itself from the bottom up. In 2016 it moved from good old Upton Park to a new arena — London Stadium. And in 2023 it won the European Cup — the UEFA Conference League. This is not just a trophy, but proof that the path was the right one.

\n","club_identity_html":"

West Ham Stadium

London Stadium is the current home of West Ham. A large arena built for the 2012 Olympics and later converted into a football stadium. There are more than 60,000 seats, and it is one of the largest venues in the country. Located in Stratford — the new center of London, it is convenient to get there by train and underground.

Until 2016, the club played at Upton Park — an old, cozy, slightly cramped, but home stadium. Many fans miss that atmosphere. It was close, loud, in its own way. But the new arena is a different level, more spectators, more opportunities.

\n
\"At the London Stadium, the team plays with confidence. There have already been victories against the top teams here, and it was here that West Ham won the matches that led them to the Conference League final.\"
\n

West Ham achievements

West Ham doesn't have a shelf full of trophies, but the ones there are not random:

The team won the FA Cup three times — in 1964, 1975 and 1980.
In 1965 she won the Cup of Cups — it was the first international trophy.
In 2023, West Ham reminded of itself again — won the UEFA Conference League, beating Fiorentina in the final. It wasn't just a win, it was the culmination of years of team building.

In different years, the club played in the League Cup finals, reached the Eurocup quarterfinals, and was in the top 6 of the championship several times. It is a stable club that sometimes rolls down but always comes back up.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

West Ham famous players

Even those who have never watched football have heard of Bobby Moore. He is the symbol of West Ham and the captain of the national team that won the World Cup. Next to him is Jeff Hurst, who scored three goals in that final. And Martin Peters, another hero of that lineup.

In recent times the club played Joe Cole, Trevor Sinclair, Carlton Cole, as well as Frank Lampard - it was at West Ham that he started his career. Mark Noble is another important image. He did not play in the top teams, but he was the heart of the team for more than 15 years.

\n
\"Of the latter is Declan Rice, who became a captain and a real leader until he joined Arsenal.\"
\n

Jarrod Boen, who scored the winning goal in the Conference League Final, also became a fan favorite.

West Ham interesting facts

West Ham Anthem is the song \"I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles\". It is sung before every match, and the stands launch soap bubbles. It looks childish, but in fact it is a strong tradition. It is about hope, about faith in the best, even when it is difficult.
\n
The club is nicknamed \"hammer breakers\" — in honor of its working class origin. These symbols have remained on the emblem until today.
\n

\n
\"West Ham is not ashamed of its roots - on the contrary, it is proud of them.\"
\n

It is worth noting that West Ham remains a unique example of how a club can maintain its identity in modern football. Will the team be able to consolidate their European ambitions? One thing is certain — the London Stadium spirit and the Hammer traditions make West Ham a special place where work ethic meets football dreams and every victory is earned by honest work. This is a club that proves that real power is not in money, but in character and dedication.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/496_a3ecd8b63a.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_496_a3ecd8b63a.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_496_a3ecd8b63a.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_496_a3ecd8b63a.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_496_a3ecd8b63a.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_496_a3ecd8b63a.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_496_a3ecd8b63a.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}},"team_b":{"id":49673,"name":"Brentford FC","short_name":"Brentford","tla_name":"BRE","type":"club","gender":"male","status":"active","official_name":"Brentford Football Club","founded":1889,"colors":"Red,White,Black","nicknames":"The Bees","createdAt":"2024-11-04T12:40:32.759Z","updatedAt":"2025-08-11T14:18:06.741Z","website":"http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk","address":"27 Great West Road","address_city":"Hounslow, Borough of London","address_zip":"TW8 9BW","locale":"en","stb_id":"brentford-fc","tier":null,"description":null,"top_position":null,"history_and_foundation":"## Brentford: a football revolution with intelligence\n\n**Brentford** is a **London club** that for a long time **did not attract much attention**, but suddenly began to **change the perception of modern football**. Founded in **1889**, this club from **west London** has long been **\"own for its own\"** - with narrow stands, a modest budget and loyal fans.\n\nToday, **Brentford** is no longer just a **pretty underdog**, but a **well-organized, intelligent team** that gives a fight even to the top teams. Not because he spends more — but because he **thinks better**.\n\n> \"Brentford proves that to be competitive in the Premier League, you don't have to spend millions — you just have to have a system and a mind.\"","sporting_achievements":"## Brentford history\n\nFor a long time, the **story of Brentford** was written **without loud headlines**. The club played in **lower English leagues**, changed **coaches**, **stadiums**, **structure**, but always remained a part of **local culture**.\n\nIn the **1930s**, the team rose to the **First Division**, but after the **World War II** they went down again and settled for a long time in **League 1 and League 2** - effectively the **third and fourth tiers** of English football.\n\nEverything began to change in **2012**, when the club bought **Matthew Benham** — an **analyst** who decided to build football **on data, not intuition**. Since then, **Brentford** began to **select players based on statistics**, hire coaches with a **modern vision** and even **rejected the classic academy**.\n\nIn **2021** the club entered the **Premier League** for the first time in history via the **play-offs**, after several dramatic attempts. This became a **recognition of the built system**: the team not only remained in the elite, but also began to **confidently beat big rivals**.\n","club_identity":"## Brentford Stadium\n\n**Brentford Community Stadium** is the team's new home, opening in **2020**. It is **compact** — a little more than **17 thousand seats**, but **modern and comfortable**. Each seat has a **good view**, and the atmosphere combines **coziness and energy**.\n\nBefore that, the club played at **Griffin Park** — an old stadium known for its **four corner pubs**. Many fans remember it with nostalgia, but admit: **new arena** is **the right step**.\n\n> \"Brentford Community Stadium is an example of how you can make a modern arena without pathos, but with care for the fans.\"\n\n## Brentford achievements\n\n**Brentford** don't have a shop window lined with trophies, but there are **achievements that are more important than cups**:\n\n* **Exit to the Premier League** in **2021** — for the first time in history.\n* **Enshrining in the elite** and **stable play** against top clubs.\n* **Victory in the play-off final** over **Swansea** that lifted the \"curse of the last step\".\n\nToday, **Brentford** is a **full-fledged player of the Premier League**, which builds success not on random victories, but on **systematicity and strategy**.\n","current_status_and_future":"## Brentford famous players\n\n* **Ivan Toney** is the top scorer who came from the lower leagues and became a candidate for the **England team**.\n* **Brian Mbeumo** is an example of **successful scouting**.\n* **David Raya** is a top-level goalkeeper, currently at **Arsenal**.\n* **Christian Eriksen** is a player who has bounced back from **heart problems** with a move from **Brentford**.\n\n> \"They don't buy stars here - they create them here.\"\n\n## Brentford interesting facts\n\n* **The first club in England** to **abandon the classic academy**, focusing on players aged 17+.\n* Has his own **analytics company** that selects players based on statistics and **mental qualities**.\n\n**It is worth noting** that **Brentford** is **an example of a football revolution** where **smart strategy, not money** comes to the fore. This is a club that has proven: **systematic, analysis and the right approach** can lift even an **underdog to the top**.","stb_internal_id":"0192f730-ee70-7370-9323-88657fd23934","overrides":null,"has_social_media_links":true,"has_social_media_relations":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":true,"has_article_relations":false,"history_and_foundation_html":"

Brentford: a football revolution with intelligence

Brentford is a London club that for a long time did not attract much attention, but suddenly began to change the perception of modern football. Founded in 1889, this club from west London has long been \"own for its own\" - with narrow stands, a modest budget and loyal fans.

Today, Brentford is no longer just a pretty underdog, but a well-organized, intelligent team that gives a fight even to the top teams. Not because he spends more — but because he thinks better.

\n
\"Brentford proves that to be competitive in the Premier League, you don't have to spend millions — you just have to have a system and a mind.\"
\n

\n","sporting_achievements_html":"

Brentford history

For a long time, the story of Brentford was written without loud headlines. The club played in lower English leagues, changed coaches, stadiums, structure, but always remained a part of local culture.

In the 1930s, the team rose to the First Division, but after the World War II they went down again and settled for a long time in League 1 and League 2 - effectively the third and fourth tiers of English football.

Everything began to change in 2012, when the club bought Matthew Benham — an analyst who decided to build football on data, not intuition. Since then, Brentford began to select players based on statistics, hire coaches with a modern vision and even rejected the classic academy.

In 2021 the club entered the Premier League for the first time in history via the play-offs, after several dramatic attempts. This became a recognition of the built system: the team not only remained in the elite, but also began to confidently beat big rivals.

\n","club_identity_html":"

Brentford Stadium

Brentford Community Stadium is the team's new home, opening in 2020. It is compact — a little more than 17 thousand seats, but modern and comfortable. Each seat has a good view, and the atmosphere combines coziness and energy.

Before that, the club played at Griffin Park — an old stadium known for its four corner pubs. Many fans remember it with nostalgia, but admit: new arena is the right step.

\n
\"Brentford Community Stadium is an example of how you can make a modern arena without pathos, but with care for the fans.\"
\n

Brentford achievements

Brentford don't have a shop window lined with trophies, but there are achievements that are more important than cups:

Exit to the Premier League in 2021 — for the first time in history.
Enshrining in the elite and stable play against top clubs.
Victory in the play-off final over Swansea that lifted the \"curse of the last step\".

Today, Brentford is a full-fledged player of the Premier League, which builds success not on random victories, but on systematicity and strategy.

\n","current_status_and_future_html":"

Brentford famous players

Ivan Toney is the top scorer who came from the lower leagues and became a candidate for the England team.
Brian Mbeumo is an example of successful scouting.
David Raya is a top-level goalkeeper, currently at Arsenal.
Christian Eriksen is a player who has bounced back from heart problems with a move from Brentford.

\n
\"They don't buy stars here - they create them here.\"
\n

Brentford interesting facts

The first club in England to abandon the classic academy, focusing on players aged 17+.
Has his own analytics company that selects players based on statistics and mental qualities.

It is worth noting that Brentford is an example of a football revolution where smart strategy, not money comes to the fore. This is a club that has proven: systematic, analysis and the right approach can lift even an underdog to the top.

\n","logo":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/500_eb70804ea7.png","mime":"image/png","caption":null,"formats":{"large_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_avif_500_eb70804ea7.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"large_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/large_webp_500_eb70804ea7.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"small_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_avif_500_eb70804ea7.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"small_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/small_webp_500_eb70804ea7.webp","mime":"image/webp"},"medium_avif":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_avif_500_eb70804ea7.avif","mime":"image/avif"},"medium_webp":{"url":"https://media.top2u.io/877/879/medium_webp_500_eb70804ea7.webp","mime":"image/webp"}}}}}}]}

Marc Popow: Career