On This Day: 19 January
Anniversary
In 2010, lifelong Hammers fans David Sullivan and David Gold acquired an initial 50 per cent stake in West Ham United. Mr Gold and Mr Sullivan joined the club as joint chairmen with Karren Brady appointed vice-chairman.
Mr Sullivan said at the time: "It will be an immense privilege to lead this great football club and more importantly its supporters. The club is now back in the hands of East Enders, people who understand the community and its passion for the Hammers. I believe that depth of feeling will also bring us through what has been a difficult period."
Mr Gold's connection with the club also runs deep; he was born across the road from Upton Park at number 442 Green Street and also represented the club as youth team player, including scoring the winner against Glasgow Youth in 1951 as a 'nippy left winger'.
He said: "Finally I have come home to the club I love with all my heart. This is an incredibly sweet moment but we have to put the romance aside now and get on with a difficult job."
Name: Tommy Hodgson
Date of birth: 19 January 1903
Clubs: Hetton Colliery, West Ham United, South Luton Town
Born in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, on 19 January 1903, Tommy Hodgson was a no-nonsense full-back who worked as a coal miner before being snapped up by West Ham United in 1921. A regular in the Hammers defence, Hodgson would have totalled far more than the 92 first-team appearances he made for the club had his career not been blighted by illness and injury.
Brought to London from works side Hetton Colliery, the defender made his debut in a 3-1 defeat at Blackpool on the final day of the 1921/22 season. Hodgson would go on to become a member of West Ham United's famed '5-H' quintet of himself, Edward Hufton, Jack Hebden, William Henderson and George Horler.
Hodgson was not part of the club's run to the final of the FA Cup in 1923, but returned to the side and featured regularly until joining South Luton Town in 1930. In Bedfordshire, he would become a legend, representing the club that would later become known is Luton Town as player, captain, director, managing director, chairman and president. He would also lead Luton out at Wembley in the Hatters' 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Nottingham Forest in 1959. Hodgson passed away in 1989.
Classic Match
West Ham United 2-0 Preston North End
Second Division
19 January 1980
West Ham United, who would end the season by lifting the FA Cup at Wembley, were in the middle of an eight-match Second Division unbeaten run when Preston North End arrived at the Boleyn Ground for the club's third league fixture of the new decade.
It took some 55 minutes for the Hammers to break down the visitors' resistance however, when Ray Stewart converted from the penalty spot. North End manager Nobby Stiles, who won the World Cup alongside Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst 14 years previously, would have no complaints about referee Toseland's decision to penalise Don O'Riordan for clattering into Geoff Pike.
The home side's second goal would arrive courtesy of Paul Allen with 13 minutes remaining, the youngster taking advantage of a handling error by Preston goalkeeper Roy Tunks to secure victory for the Hammers. The game also saw Billy Bonds accidentally kicked in the head by defensive partner Alvin Martin, causing a wound that required seven stitches.