West Ham United 1980 FA Cup Final Admiral Jacket

Trevor Brooking: "10th May 1980 was a very special day, indeed".  

Wembley Stadium. The 1980 FA Cup Final. Second Division West Ham United versus the FA Cup Holders. First Division Arsenal, who were clear favourites to retain the FA Cup. Yet when John Lyall led The Hammers, with every player wearing The West Ham United 1980 FA Cup Final Admiral Jacket, out of the Wembley Tunnel and into the bright sunlight under the Twin Towers, The Manager had two things 'up his Claret and Blue sleeve': 1). A 4-5-1 formation tactical plan designed to stifle, and to neutralise Arsenal’s midfield and in particular, for West Ham's Paul Allen, at the time the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup Final, to man-mark Arsenal’s Liam Brady. 2). In 1980 West Ham United finished 7th in the old Second Division but, this Hammers side were no Second Division outfit. In fact, they were a very, very good team. And they were about to prove it.

Phil Parkes had been signed from QPR for £565,000 in 1979. A world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. Ray Stewart was the 1979 Scottish Professional Footballers Association Young Player of the Year and had been signed from Dundee United for a British record transfer fee for a teenager. Frank Lampard, Billy Bonds and Trevor Brooking had all starred in West Ham's 1975 FA Cup Final victory. Stuart Pearson had played, scored in, and won the Silver Jubilee FA Cup Final with Manchester United in 1977. Alvin Martin, the 1980 Hammer Of The Year was already on the way to becoming one of the finest footballing centre halfs English football would ever see. Alan Devonshire would be selected by Three Lions Manager Ron Greenwood for his full England international debut just ten days after The Cup Final, and it was Devonshire's 12th minute left sided foray deep into Arsenal territory that lead to the only goal of The 1980 FA Cup Final. Dev's flighted far post ball fell to David Cross who saw his shot blocked. Stuart Pearson instinctively stabbed the loose ball goalwards 'ish, and Trevor Brooking headed Pancho's cross-shot past Pat Jennings in the Arsenal goal. The Irons defended the lead superbly. Captain Billy Bonds, Alvin Martin, Frank Lampard and Ray Stewart, were tirelessly supported by Paul Allen and Geoff Pike, in protecting the unflappable Phil Parkes in the West Ham goal. Arsenal never really looked like equalising.  

With The Cup won, West Ham's victorious XI, plus non playing substitute Paul Brush who had played vital part in every round on the way Wembley, were serenaded with I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles, and West Ham's three non-playing matchday squad members Pat Holland; Jimmy Neighbour and Bobby Ferguson continued to wear The West Ham United 1980 FA Cup Final Admiral Jacket.

To this day West Ham United 1980 are the last team from outside the Top-Flight of English football to win The FA Cup. 

Billy Bonds: “We may have been in the old Second Division, but our 1980 FA Cup team that beat Arsenal was the best side I ever played in.”

Score Draw Official Retro Shirt Match:

West Ham United 1 v 0 Arsenal.

Saturday 10 May 1980.

FA Cup Final. 

Wembley Stadium. 

Attendance 100,000.

West Ham United: 1.Phil Parkes. 2.Ray Stewart. 3.Frank Lampard. 4.Billy Bonds. 5.Alvin Martin. 6.Alan Devonshire. 7.Paul Allen. 8.Stuart Pearson. 9.David Cross. 10.Trevor Brooking. 11.Geoff Pike. 12.Paul Brush.