We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season
West Ham United
West Ham United were initially founded by Dave Taylor and Arnold Hills in 1895 of the Thames Ironworks Shipbuilding Company, who were the last surviving shipbuilder on the River Thames.
Originally going by the name of ‘Thames Ironworks’ and starting off in the London League, Ironworks entered the Southern League Second Division in 1898 and turned professional upon entering the new league.
The Irons won promotion to the Southern League First Divison at the first time of asking in 1899 and following disputes over finances of the club, ‘Thames Ironworks’ was disbanded and relaunched at West Ham United.
The Hammers moved to the Boleyn Ground in the Upton Park area in 1904, which remained their home until 2016 after moving to the London Stadium.
United joined the Football League in 1919 and were promoted to the top-flight in 1923 where they were also FA Cup runners-up.
Up until the formation of the ‘Premier League’ in 1993, West Ham spent time in both Division One and Two winning the FA Cup three times in 1964, 1975 and 1980 with club legend Sir Geoff Hurst finishing Hammers top-scorer in six successive seasons between 1966-1971.
The Hammers spent 10 years in the Premier League winning the Intertoto Cup in the process before being relegated in 2003.
United looked to ignite their return back to the top-flight at the first attempt but lost to Crystal Palace in the play-off final at the Millenium, before winning the same final at the same venue just 12 months later against Preston North End.
The London club finished strong in their first season back in the Premier League and also came FA Cup runners-up in the same 2005/06 campaign but were relegated back to the Championship in 2011.
However, the Hammers returned instantly and after winning another play-off final this time against Blackpool at Wembley, United were back the following season and have remained in the top-flight since.
Although domestic cup success has been sparse over recent seasons, United have qualified for the Europa League three times since their return, reaching the semi-final in 2022 and most recently winning the Europa League Conference in May this year.
Stadium: London Stadium (62,500) – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 2ST
Nickname(s): The Hammers, The Irons
Manager: David Moyes
2022/23 finishing position: 14th
2022/23 top scorer (all competitions): Michail Antonio (14)
Played for both:
Maxwel Cornet – Ivory Coast international Cornet signed for the Clarets in August 2021 from Lyon. The attacker made his Premier League debut against Arsenal at Turf Moor and finished the Club’s top-scorer in his only season in Burnley finishing on nine goals in 26 appearances. Cornet then departed the Clarets 12 months after signing to join West Ham United. The wideman’s played 21 times in his first season in East London, winning the UEFA Europa League in the process.
Matt Taylor – Taylor arrived at the Boleyn in 2011 from Bolton Wanderers and helped United secure promotion to the Premier League in his first season. The midfielder spent three seasons with the Hammers making 90 appearances before signing for the Clarets in 2014. Taylor played 39 times for Burnley over two seasons before joining Northampton Town in 2016.
David Unsworth – The defender signed for the Irons from Everton in 1997. Unsworth spent just one season with the Hammers making 41 appearances before joining Aston Villa the following year. The Chorley-born centre-back then spent time at Portsmouth, Ipswich, Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic before moving to the Clarets in 2007. Unsworth stayed at Turf Moor for a season and featured 31 times before leaving for Huddersfield Town in 2008.
Full record against (competitive): P – 94, W – 35, D – 20, L – 39
Last time we met: 17.04.2022 – WHU 1 [Souček] – 1 Burnley [Weghorst] (PL)
Last win against: 08.07.2020 – WHU 0-1 Burnley [Rodriguez] (PL – COVID)
2023/24 Fixtures: H – 25/11/2023 / A – 09/03/2024
