GOALKEEPERS
1. ROBERT GREEN
Born: Jan. 18, 1980; Chertsey, England
Ht: 6-3 / Wt: 205
International: England 1 cap
Robert Green earned his place in West Ham United folklore by spectacularly playing his part in the remarkable escape from relegation in 2007. Then came a new contract for Green, who originally signed on a £3m deal at the start of 2006/7, which will keep him at the Boleyn Ground until 2011. Last season, his value was highlighted again as he was a regular between the sticks and was awarded the Hammer of the Year trophy. The former Norwich City goalkeeper made nearly 250 appearances at Carrow Road after making his debut in April 1999. A place in the England squad at the 2006 World Cup would have surely come had he not been injured in a 'B' international against Belarus.
21. RICHARD WRIGHT
Born: Nov. 5, 1977; Ipswich, England
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 200
International: England 2 caps
The Ipswich-born Richard Wright began earning accolades while playing for his hometown club, where he made his top-flight debut aged 18 in August 1996. He suffered three playoff disappointments before saving a penalty in the 2000 final to help Ipswich into the Premier League. Five days later, he made his England debut against Malta and saved a penalty again, earning a place in the Euro 2000 squad. He then moved to Arsenal, where he spent a season. Next was a move to Everton but knee and ankle problems harmed him before West Ham United gave him a chance to resurrect his form in summer 2007. He was sent on a successful loan to Southampton towards the end of the 2007/08 season.
23. JIMMY WALKER
Born: July 9, 1973; Sutton-in-Ashfield, England
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 186
Jimmy Walker's personality makes him a popular figure around the club, which has been the case since he joined from Walsall in summer 2004. He had to wait until January 2005 to make his Championship debut, but after playing in the final 11 games of that promotion-winning season, he was out of most of the 2005/06 season with knee ligament damage. He managed his Premier League debut against Portsmouth in March 2006 but has been mainly used as a trusty back-up goalkeeper since then. Walker was also a Walsall fans' favourite during 11 years there as he clocked up 476 matches, including a spell of 157 in a row.
DEFENDERS
2. LUCAS NEILL
Born: March 9, 1978; Sydney, Australia
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 171
International: Australia 34 caps
Alan Curbishley handed Lucas Neill the captain's armband at the start of last season, showing how highly he regards the versatile defender. The Australia captain signed from Blackburn in January 2007. Although he was born in Sydney, he has been in England since he was 17 as he joined Millwall in November 1995 after a football scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport. Following six years with Millwall, Neill went to Blackburn Rovers in a £1 million deal for the 2001/02 campaign. He featured in Australia's impressive run beyond the group stage at the 2006 World Cup.
3. GEORGE McCARTNEY
Born: April 29, 1981; Belfast, Northern Ireland
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 156
International: Northern Ireland 24 caps/1 goal
George McCartney was made West Ham United's regular left back by Alan Curbishley when he took charge, but he originally signed for the club in summer 2006 after a £1 million deal took him to the Boleyn Ground from Sunderland. The Belfast-born player worked his way up to Sunderland captain after making his first team debut in September 2000. His international career took off in September 2001 when he won his first cap against Iceland in a World Cup qualifier. He was out of the international picture for two years after getting his 20th cap, but was brought back in August 2007. The only ever-present in the 2007/08 campaign, his campaign finished with him being voted runner-up for Hammer of the Year.
4. DANNY GABBIDON
Born: Aug. 8, 1979; Cwmbran, Wales
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 187
International: Wales 39 caps
Being voted Hammer of the Year in his first season in 2005/06 was a fitting tribute to Danny Gabbidon. His second season was more frustrating because it was all over by January, thanks to injuries, but his comeback to fitness last season was rewarded with a 35th Wales cap, a game in which he was made captain, as his team lost a Euro 2008 qualifier against Germany. He had started off by coming through West Brom's youth ranks but soon he was on his way to Cardiff City. That was in August 2000 for a bargain £175,000. Gabbidon was a colossus for Cardiff at the back while earning a Wales call-up for the first time against Czech Republic in March 2002. He was named in the PFA First Division Team of the Year in 2003/04, prompting West Ham United to secure his services.
5. ANTON FERDINAND
Born: Feb. 18, 1985; Peckham, England
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 154
The longest-serving player at West Ham United, Anton Ferdinand and his older brother Rio now enjoy the distinction of both having played more than 100 games each for West Ham United. The Peckham-born Ferdinand has become a respected center back since his first-team debut as a full-back on August 9, 2003. His rise was rewarded with an England Under-21 debut against Ukraine in August 2004. His 2005/06 efforts showed he could handle the Barclays Premier League, which is something that has been confirmed in the two seasons since. In 2007/08 a hamstring injury accounted for two months' absence, but he was back in December - and scored against Rio's Manchester United.
6. MATTHEW UPSON
Born: April 18, 1979; Stowmarket, England
Ht: 6-1 / Wt: 158
International: England 8 caps
Matthew Upson has recovered commendably from the frustration he suffered with a calf injury soon after he arrived at West Ham in January 2007. Last season he was back, making 29 appearances and memorably scoring a winning goal against Manchester United. When the England defender joined from Birmingham, it was in a £6 million deadline day deal that could rise to £7.5 million. His first club had been Luton Town but, after just two minutes of playing, he was lured to Arsenal in a £2m deal. Loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Reading were next, then joining Birmingham in January 2003. He has caught the eye of Fabio Capello and played alongside Rio Ferdinand in the 2-1 win against Switzerland in February 2008.
18. JONATHAN SPECTOR
Born: March 1, 1986; Arlington Heights, Illnois USA
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 176
International: USA 12 caps
Alan Curbishley was delighted to be reunited with Jonathan Spector at West Ham United, having been impressed by the player while they were together at Charlton Athletic. The United States international, who was signed for £500,000 from Manchester United in June 2006, was raised near Chicago but came to England aged 17. His experiences at Old Trafford in 2004/05 helped him earn his U.S. debut in November as a substitute against Jamaica. The following season was when he went to Charlton, on a season-long loan, but a dislocated shoulder ruled him out of the World Cup. Since joining West Ham United, he has shown his adaptability, even featuring in midfield, but his best position is in the heart of defence. A hip operation in summer 2008 cost him a place at the Beijing Olympics.
19. JAMES COLLINS
Born: Aug. 23, 1983; Newport, Wales
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 200
International: Wales 20 caps/1 goal
James Collins joined West Ham United in summer 2005 from Cardiff City, where he was a rock in defence. He has represented Wales at every level and looks destined to feature for his country for many years to come, having burst on to the scene in November 2000. He was just 17 but made his debut for Cardiff against Bristol Rovers in an FA Cup tie, then after a couple of seasons, he was on his way to east London. The deal that brought him to the Boleyn Ground included a move for his Cardiff teammate Danny Gabbidon, with whom he has a fantastic on-pitch relationship and understanding. He made 19 appearances in his debut season but a serious knee injury in January 2008 put an end to the rest of the campaign last year.
27. CALUM DAVENPORT
Born: Jan. 1, 1983; Bedford, England
Ht: 6-4 / Wt: 196
Calum Davenport has been bitterly unfortunate with injuries. His first West Ham United spell was on loan for three months, shortly after he had joined Tottenham Hotspur in August 2004. Three years later, he was back at the Boleyn Ground on a permanent basis. In between those spells - and before them - he has enjoyed an eventful journey. His professional career began at Coventry City, then went to Tottenham, who sent him out on further loan deals to Southampton and Norwich City. He joined West Ham United full time in January 2007, but has needed a hernia operation since then and also suffered a neck injury in a short-lived loan with Watford.
30. JAMES TOMKINS
Born: March 29, 1989; Basildon, England
Ht: 6-3 / Wt: 164
One eventful week in spring 2008 gave James Tomkins a taste of the high life. On March 22 he made his first start for West Ham United, then on the following Tuesday, the cultured defender then struck twice for England Under-19s in a win against Russia. The Basildon-born youth product has achieved all this for club and country despite struggling with two shoulder injuries in 2006/07. He regained full fitness in October 2007. He then played his part for England in reaching the July 2008 European U19 Championship.
MIDFIELDERS
7. FREDDIE LJUNGBERG
Born: April 16, 1979; Vittsjo, Sweden
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 154
International: Sweden 75 caps/14 goals
Freddie Ljungberg has become a superstar in Sweden, having represented his country with distinction. The midfielder, who signed for West Ham United in a £3 million deal in July 2007, has scooped a host of honours in England too. He won the league and cup double with Arsenal in 2002, scoring in that season's FA Cup final against Chelsea, and won the title in 2004 plus FA Cup successes in 2003 and 2005. Overall it was a happy time under Arsene Wenger, with whom he spent nine years, starting with a debut goal in a 3-0 win over Manchester United in September 1998. Before arriving in England, he had starred at Halmstads, a club that he joined at the tender age of five. He made his Sweden debut in January 1998.
8. SCOTT PARKER
Born: Oct. 13, 1980; Lambeth, England
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 164
International: England 3 caps
Alan Curbishley was the man to launch Scott Parker's career in football more than a decade ago at Charlton Athletic. A biting tackler in midfield, Parker has played for England and could have become a regular if injury had not deterred him. He signed for Curbishley's Charlton as a trainee in August 1997. In November 2000, he was loaned out to Norwich but soon became a Charlton regular and then had his England debut against Denmark in November 2003. At the start of the following year, he made a £10 million move to Chelsea and played in the Champions League semifinals. That season he was Young Player of the Year but a foot injury in December 2004 was a huge blow. At the start of 2005/06, he headed to Newcastle for £6.5m before joining West Ham United just over a season later for £7 million.
11. MATTHEW ETHERINGTON
Born: Aug. 14, 1981; Truro, England
Ht: 5-10 / Wt: 152
Matthew Etherington has been described as an 'old-fashioned winger' because of his crossing and dribbling style. The left-sided player came through the youth team levels speedily at Peterborough, where his wing wizardry was appreciated very early - he made his first team debut aged just 15 in May 1997. In 1998/99, he made a £500,000 move to Tottenham, then West Ham United gave him his chance by signing him at the end of 2002/03. He was Hammer of the Year in his first season and, with a new contract through summer 2012, he will be confident of displaying his talents further. Along with Anton Ferdinand is the longest-serving player at the club - having both made their debuts on August 9, 2003.
16. MARK NOBLE
Born: May 8, 1987, West Ham, England
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 168
Homegrown talent Mark Noble became the youngest player to represent West Ham's reserves, aged just 15, in February 2003. His first team debut came, aged 17, against Southend United in a League Cup game in August 2004. After loan spells at Hull City and Ipswich Town in 2006, he was brought back into the first team picture by Alan Curbishley. Noble was in the England Under-21 squad for the 2007 European Championship and scored three goals in 25 West Ham appearances last season.
17. HAYDEN MULLINS
Born: March 27, 1979; Reading, England
Ht: 5-11 / Wt: 166
A tireless workrate in the heart of midfield ensured Hayden Mullins was Alan Pardew's first signing as West Ham United manager in October 2003. Mullins was previously at Crystal Palace, who he played more than 250 games for during a six-year spell. His Palace exploits helped him earn an England Under-21 call-up in March 1999 against Poland in Southampton. Mullins made his West Ham United debut against Nottingham Forest and the rest of the season was a success for him personally but, ironically, it ended with playoff defeat against former club Palace. He was also unfortunate to miss the 2006 FA Cup Final through suspension.
20. JULIEN FAUBERT
Born: Aug. 1, 1983; Le Havre, France
Ht: 5-10 / Wt: 162
International: France 1 cap/1 goal
Julien Faubert was the first man to wear the France No. 10 jersey following Zinedine Zidane's departure. That game was in August 2006 against Bosnia-Herzegovina and it was Faubert's debut - he scored the winner. Faubert first followed in Zidane's footsteps by being offered a place at the Cannes Academy, just like Zidane, and then also trod the same path as the now retired maestro to Bordeaux. The versatile midfielder signed in September 2004 and enjoyed a second-place finish in 2006. That prompted Alan Curbishley to bring him to West Ham United for £6.1 million after seeing off stiff competition, but last season did not go according to plan as he endured an Achilles tendon rupture in July 2007 during preseason. Faubert had to wait until January 12, 2008 to make his debut.
26. NIGEL QUASHIE
Born: July 20, 1978; Peckham, England
Ht: 6-0 / Wt: 192
International: Scotland 14 caps/1 goal
The Scottish international's wealth of experience began as a 17-year-old when he was given a baptism of fire by making his debut for Queen's Park Rangers against Manchester United at Old Trafford in December 1995. England Under-21 recognition was achieved while he was at Loftus Road, but he switched to Nottingham Forest in August 1998 for £2.5 million. After two seasons there, he joined Portsmouth for £600,000. A Scotland debut in May 2004 followed. He moved to Southampton in January 2005 for £2.1m, then switched to West Brom on deadline day in January 2006 before making the £1.5m move to West Ham United a year later.
29. LEE BOWYER
Born: Jan. 3, 1977; Canning Town, England
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 152
International: England 1 cap
Now playing for the club that he supported as a boy, Lee Bowyer started his career at Charlton Athletic, for whom he made his debut as a 17-year-old in September 1994, featuring in a League Cup game against Swindon Town. Leeds United spent almost £3 million to recruit him in July 1996, earning him the title of most expensive teenager in English football. A Champions League semifinal in 2001 was the highlight of his Elland Road experience and, a year later, he was capped by England in a 1-1 draw against Portugal. After a brief spell at West Ham United from January 2003, he moved on to Newcastle United. His return to the Boleyn Ground came in June 2006.
31. JACK COLLISON
Born: Oct. 2, 1988; Watford, England
Jack Collison was handed a dream first-team debut for West Ham United against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on January 1, 2008. Then on April 12, he was given his first start at Bolton Wanderers. His rise into West Ham United's first-team picture caught the eye of Wales, who fast-tracked him into their own first-team squad and handed him his first two senior caps at the end of the 2007/08 season. The central midfielder was spotted by West Ham United while playing for Cambridge United and was granted a scholarship in summer 2005. An impressive preseason last year led to him being made reserve team captain despite his age.
32. KIERON DYER
Born: Dec. 29, 1978; Ipswich, England
Ht: 5-8 / Wt: 141
International: England 33 caps
The England forward sustained a double fracture of his right leg in August 2007 in only his third appearance for the West Ham United. Had he been fit, he would no doubt have hit the heights that have been predicted for him since he joined his hometown club, Ipswich Town. His debut for Ipswich was on Boxing Day 1996 at Crystal Palace and, after earning England Under-21 honours, he was signed by Newcastle United for £6.5 million in July 1999. His debut was followed a month later by his full England debut against Luxembourg. He featured regularly as a substitute for England during the 2002 World Cup. The following season, Dyer he was in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season. Joining West Ham United ended an eight-year spell at Newcastle.
FORWARDS
9. DEAN ASHTON
Born: Nov. 24, 1983; Crewe, England
Ht: 6-2 / Wt: 203
International: England 1 cap
Within a week of Fabio Capello giving Dean Ashton his England debut in the Trinidad & Tobago friendly on June 1, 2008, the striker signed a new five-year deal with West Ham United. A late goal-scoring spree last season was a tantalising taste of what a fully-fit Ashton could deliver. When he joined West Ham for £7.25 million in January 2006 from Norwich City, it was a club record deal at the time and within five months he had scored in the FA Cup Final. One of Dario Gradi's famous Crewe Alexandra academy products, he made his debut in October 2000. In January 2005, he went to Norwich City and earned England Under-21 status before Alan Pardew brought him to the Boleyn Ground.
10. CRAIG BELLAMY
Born: July 13, 1979; Cardiff, Wales
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 152
International: Wales 49 caps/15 goals
A club record fee of £7.5 million was spent in summer 2007 to bring Craig Bellamy to the Boleyn Ground and he showed signs of his potential last season. Bellamy is an on-pitch leader who has worn the captain's armband for Wales, having made his debut aged just 18 and is now at the 50-cap mark. The forward made his name at Norwich City, getting his debut in March 1997. Three years later, he moved to Coventry City then went to Newcastle United in 2001. In his first season, he won the PFA Young Player of the Year award, scoring 16 goals in the process. He bagged 10 more the following season, but injuries in 2003/04 hindered him and he went on loan to Celtic when he was fit again. One season at Blackburn Rovers and then another at Liverpool, including a memorable Champions League goal away to Barcelona, followed before his move to London.
12. CARLTON COLE
Born: Oct. 12, 1983; Croydon, England
Ht: 6-3 / Wt: 198
Carlton Cole has long been considered one of the most promising strikers in English football. His West Ham United career got off to a dream start. He scored with his first touch, playing against Charlton, after joining the club in summer 2006. Chelsea was where the England Under-21 star began his career, making his debut aged 18 against Everton in April 2002. Loan spells at Wolves, Charlton and Aston Villa - the latter two lasting a season each - persuaded manager Jose Mourinho not to let Cole go from Stamford Bridge. Eventually, though, Cole was allowed to make a switch and he made the move to the Boleyn Ground.
13. LUIS BOA MORTE
Born: Aug. 4, 1977; Lisbon, Portugal
Ht: 5-9 / Wt: 174
International: Portugal 26 caps/2 goals
Luis Boa Morte became a key man at Fulham during his 6-1/2-year spell at Craven Cottage before becoming Alan Curbishley's first signing as West Ham United manager in January 2007. Sporting Lisbon was where Boa Morte learned his trade as a left-winger and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger quickly saw his gifts, signing him in the summer of 1997. Boa Morte left Highbury for a loan spell at Southampton, then joined Fulham on a similar basis, but this time he earned a full-time deal. He went on to become Fulham's club captain and Player of the Year in 2005 and later was a part of Portugal's World Cup squad in 2006, which eliminated England.
40. FRED SEARS
Born: Nov. 27, 1989; Hornchurch, England
Sears is the latest of the club's Academy players to make an immediate impact. The lifelong fan suffered a broken foot at the end of 2007, but scored 25 goals in 24 reserve and youth games. That earned him a new contract and his first team chance. He was put on the bench for the Blackburn Rovers game on March 15, brought on with 16 minutes to play and scored five minutes later. It has been a fantastic start for Sears, who joined the club aged 11. He has also represented England Under-19s. West Ham United (trainee; from 01.07.07): P/FL: 1+6/1
MANAGER
ALAN CURBISHLEY
Born: Nov. 8, 1957
Managing West Ham United has been a dream come true for Alan Curbishley, who first played for the club in 1975. Curbishley said: "If you'd have said to me when I was at West Ham at the age of 17 that one day I'd be manager, I'd have thought it impossible." But the seemingly impossible became a reality in December 2006. At that stage, relegation had looked a distinct possibility, but Curbishley led West Ham United to a dramatic survival with a late surge in form. Last season, fielding a settled side was impossible as a sizeable list of injuries stifled West Ham United but Curbishley still managed to guide the club to a solid mid-table finish despite the difficult circumstances. Curbishley had previously been boss at Charlton for 15 years, starting in 1991. He took them up to the Barclays Premier League in 1998 and, despite relegation, he promptly earned promotion again and established the club in the top flight before leaving in 2006. Curbishley was a player for West Ham from 1975 to 1979.
