West Ham’s claim as the Academy of Football is rooted in the men who won England the World Cup and a long line of homegrown talent. These are the ten greatest Hammers.

1. 1

   Bobby Moore

   West Ham United · England

   The 1966 World Cup-winning captain and, to most, the greatest defender England has produced.

2. 2

   Geoff Hurst

   West Ham United · England

   A prolific striker and the scorer of a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final.

3. 3

   Trevor Brooking

   West Ham United · England

   An elegant one-club midfielder and a beloved club and England servant.

4. 4

   Billy Bonds

   West Ham United · England

   The club’s record appearance-maker and a wholehearted, long-serving captain.

5. 5

   Martin Peters

   West Ham United · England

   A 1966 World Cup winner once called “ten years ahead of his time”.

6. 6

   Paolo Di Canio

   West Ham United · Italy

   A mercurial cult hero remembered for some of the club’s most spectacular goals.

7. 7

   Alan Devonshire

   West Ham United · England

   A gifted, graceful midfielder of the club’s cup-winning 1980s side.

8. 8

   Julian Dicks

   West Ham United · England

   A combative, cult-hero left-back adored on the Chicken Run.

9. 9

   Rio Ferdinand

   West Ham United · England

   A homegrown defender of rare composure who launched a stellar career.

10. 10

    Declan Rice

    West Ham United · England

    A homegrown midfield leader and trophy-winning captain of the modern era.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.