Close links

Leigh Edwards looks at some close links between the Hammers and Portsmouth...

MANAGING TO SUCCEED
Harry Redknapp has achieved managerial success at both West Ham United and Portsmouth. Signing professional at Upton Park in March 1964, the former England youth international winger netted seven goals in 149 First Division games for the Hammers before reuniting with John Bond at AFC Bournemouth in August 1972. He assisted Billy Bonds for two years prior to succeeding him as West Ham United's manager between August 1994 and May 2001. After a period as Pompey's director of football, he was manager from March 2002 until November 2004 and is currently in his second spell in charge at Fratton Park.

ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL

England international striker Teddy Sheringham has played for both Portsmouth and West Ham United. Moving to Fratton Park from Tottenham Hotspur in July 2002, he scored nine times in 32 Premiership games for Pompey prior to arriving at Upton Park in July 2004. He netted 20 goals in 33 League outings as the Hammers won promotion last season. Former striker Svetoslav Todorov was leading marksman in Pompey's 2002-03 First Division title triumph and the likes of Eyal Berkovic, Hayden Foxe, Sebastian Schemmel and Dave Unsworth have also played for both clubs in recent times.

IN SAFE KEEPING
Former Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is currently in his second spell at West Ham United. Initially moving to Upton Park from Newcastle United in July 1998, the Trinidad & Tobago international made 105 Premiership appearances for the Hammers before reuniting with Harry Redknapp at Portsmouth in July 2002. He was ever-present in Pompey's 2002-03 First Division title triumph and played 93 League games prior to rejoining West Ham United in July 2005. Fellow keeper Peter Shearing made six First Division appearances for the Hammers prior to joining Portsmouth in July 1961.

PROMOTION WINNER
Former Portsmouth midfielder Martin Allen was an influential figure in West Ham's 1990-91 and 1992-93 promotion successes. Moving to Upton Park from QPR for £675,000 in August 1989, the former England under-21 international also featured as West Ham were FA Cup semi-finalists in 1990-91 and netted 25 goals in 190 League games for the Hammers prior to joining Portsmouth initially on loan in September 1995. The deal was made permanent for £500,000 in February 1996 and he scored four times in 45 First Division outings while at Fratton Park until a knee injury ended his playing career.

LOAN SPELL
Ex-West Ham United midfielder John Moncur had a loan spell at Portsmouth during the 1988-89 campaign. Moving to Pompey on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in March 1989, he helped John Gregory's side to narrowly avoid relegation that season and made seven consecutive Second Division appearances while at Fratton Park. He joined West Ham United from Swindon Town for £900,000 in June 1994 and netted six goals in 175 League outings while at Upton Park. Striker Lee Chapman scored twice in five League games for Pompey before joining West Ham United in September 1993.

WEMBLEY WINNER

One-time Portsmouth goalkeeper Jim Standen was an important figure in West Ham United's 1964 FA Cup final triumph. Moving to Upton Park from Luton Town in November 1962, the footballing-cricketer also starred as Hammers won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1965 and were League Cup finalists in 1966, making 178 First Division appearances for the Hammers prior to joining Detroit Cougars in May 1968. He joined Portsmouth from Millwall in July 1970 and provided experienced cover for John Milkins, playing 13 League games while at Fratton Park.

TWO SPELLS
Former Hammers central defender Adrian Whitbread had two spells at Portsmouth. Moving to Upton Park from Swindon Town for £650,000 in August 1994, he contested a first-team slot with Alvin Martin and Marc Rieper, making ten Premiership appearances for the Club. He was loaned to Portsmouth in November 1995 and played 13 League games while at Fratton Park. Rejoining Pompey for £250,000 in October 1996, he became captain and scored twice in a further 134 League games before moving to Reading initially on loan in February 2001.

FOOTBALLING CRICKETER

Surrey cricketer Ron Tindall played for both West Ham United and Portsmouth. Moving to Upton Park from Chelsea in exchange for Andy Malcolm in November 1961, he netted three goals in 13 First Division games for the Hammers prior to joining Reading in October 1962. He joined Portsmouth in September 1964 and was converted from forward to defender, starring as Pompey finished fifth in the Second Division in 1967-68. Scoring seven times in 162 League outings while at Fratton Park, he succeeded George Smith as Pompey's manager from April 1970 until May 1973.

EVER-PRESENT
Former Portsmouth central defender Alan Stephenson was ever-present for West Ham United in 1968-69. Moving to Upton Park from Crystal Palace for £90,000 in March 1968, the England under-23 international played alongside Bobby Moore in the heart of West Ham's defence and made 108 First Division appearances prior to joining Portsmouth for £32,000 in May 1972. He missed just one match in 1972-73 and played 98 League games while at Fratton Park. The likes of Billy James, Alex Kane, Nicky Morgan, Roy Smith and Steve Smith have also played for both clubs.