On this day - 20 March

Anniversary

Trevor Morley
Born: 20 March 1961
Clubs: Nuneaton Borough, Northampton Town, Manchester City, West Ham United, Reading SK Brann, Sogndal

Nottingham-born frontman Trevor Morley joined the Hammers in 1989, as both he and Ian Bishop made the switch from Manchester City.

In only his second season at the Boleyn Ground, Morley plundered 17 goals to fire West Ham to promotion to the old First Division. Though relegation followed, Morley struck a further 22 times back in the second tier, as the Hammers won promotion to the top flight for a second time in three seasons.

In the club's first season in the Premier League, Morley racked up 16 goals, to top the Hammers' scoring charts for a third time in just four campaigns, with Billy Bonds' side finishing a creditable 13th. His goalscoring feats also earned him the prestigious Hammer of the Year prize.

However, for all the success of the previous year, the 1994/95 campaign was to prove his West Ham swansong as the return of Tony Cottee saw him make just ten starts, without scoring. He was subsequently allowed to depart, joining Reading, including intermittent spells with Norwegian side Brann. Morley ended his spell in east London having netted 70 times in 215 appearances.

Classic match

Manchester City 1-2 West Ham United
FA Cup sixth round
20 March 2006

A memorable evening at Eastlands nine years ago saw Dean Ashton strike in either half to book West Ham United's place in the last four of the FA Cup.

With four minutes of the first half to play, the former Norwich City forward fired the Hammers ahead, as he rounded off a stylish move, skipping past Sylvain Distain before slamming home at David James' near post.

West Ham's grip on proceedings tightened after the break, courtesy of Sun Jihai's dismissal, as he saw red for an injudicious swing at Matthew Etherington.

Alan Pardew's men would make their numerical advantage count in the 69th minute, albeit in somewhat controversial circumstances.

As a stricken Christian Dailly lay on the touchline, City opted to play on, only for Reo-Coker to dispossess Kiki Mussampa in his own half. With the hosts horribly exposed, Reo-Coker played in Israel international Yossi Benayoun, who in turn squared for Ashton, handing the Crewe Alexandra graduate the simplest of tasks to slot home.

The travelling Hammers were to endure a nervy final few minutes, when Mussampa spectacularly volleyed past Shaka Hislop in the 85th minute, but they would cling on to set up a semi-final date at Villa Park against Middlesbrough.

Complete record - 20 March

1920 South Shields 3-0 West Ham United (Division Two)
1926 West Ham United 3-1 Tottenham Hotspur (Division One)
1933 West Ham United 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue (Division Two)
1937 Burnley 2-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1948 Barnsley 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1954 West Ham United 2-1 Doncaster Rovers (Division Two)
1961 Blackburn Rovers 4-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1965 Blackburn Rovers 4-0 West Ham United (Division One)
1971 West Ham United 2-2 Ipswich Town (Division One)
1976 Arsenal 6-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1982 Middlesbrough 2-3 West Ham United (Division One)
1991 West Ham United 1-0 Bristol City (Division Two)
1993 West Ham United 2-0 Tranmere Rovers (Division One)
1999 West Ham United 2-0 Newcastle United (Premier League)
2006 Manchester City 1-2 West Ham United (FA Cup)
2010 Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United (Premier League)
2012 West Ham United 1-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)

Played 17, Won 8, Drawn 3, Lost 6, Scored 24, Conceded 27