1985–86 West Ham United F.C. season

West Ham's highest ever league finish was during the 1985-1986 season, coming a close third behind the Merseyside giants of Liverpool and Everton. West Ham finished with 84 points; 2 behind Everton and 4 behind eventual double winners Liverpool. West Ham won 26 of their 42 games.

Events of the season

August

The most notable changes to the West Ham side for the 1985-86 season were midfielder Mark Ward from Oldham Athletic and Scotland striker Frank McAvennie from St Mirren.

McAvennie's debut came on the opening day of the season when he came on for injured striker Paul Goddard in a 1-0 defeat by Birmingham City at St Andrew's. He quickly established 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, who managed just one win from their first five games (a 3-1 home win over London rivals Queen's Park Rangers) and ended August in 17th place in a table led by Manchester United, who had a 100% record.

September

Things got better for the Hammers in September, as they completed the month unbeaten in the league, drawing with Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City, and beating Leicester City 3-0 and Nottingham Forest 4-2 at Upton Park. As an added bonus, they began their Football League Cup quest on a winning note by winning 3-0 at home to Swansea City in the second round first leg. The Hammers ended September in 13th place....
Read More