On this day - 18 September

Anniversary

Name: Brian Dear
Born: Plaistow, 18 September 1943
Clubs: West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion (loan), Fulham, Millwall, West Ham United

Former West Ham United striker Brian Dear turns 72 today.

Born in Plaistow, Dear began his career with the Hammers, joining the Club at the age of 15. He debuted against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1962 and was a member of the 1964/65 European Cup Winners' Cup winning side.

He played 65 league games during his first spell with the Hammers and scored 33 goals, and did not spend long away from the Boleyn Ground after departing for Fulham in 1969.

Just a year later he was back in E13 to play another five matches. He once scored five times in a game for the Hammers, in just 20 minutes either side of half time against West Bromwich Albion in April 1965.

After leaving West Ham he played in non-league for Woodford Town, was a publican for a number of years and later worked as catering manager at Southend United.

Classic match

West Ham United 6-0 Tranmere Rovers
League Cup second round replay
18 September 1974

West Ham welcomed Tranmere Rovers to the Boleyn Ground for a League Cup second round replay on this day 41 years ago.

Having drawn 0-0 in the first running of the tie at Prenton Park, West Ham were in far more ruthless mood on this occasion, running in six goals.

Bobby Gould notched three of them, including a penalty, while Billy Bonds also scored from the spot in his double. John Ayris scored the hosts' other goal.

West Ham's League Cup run would end, however, at the next stage as Fulham defeated them 2-1 at Craven Cottage.

Complete record - 18 September

1920 West Ham United 2-0 Fulham (Division Two)
1928 Huddersfield Town 2-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1937 Southampton 3-3 West Ham United (Division Two)
1948 West Ham United 3-0 Plymouth Argyle (Division Two)
1954 Plymouth Argyle 1-1 West Ham United (Division Two)
1961 West Ham United 2-2 Blackpool (Division One)
1965 Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1971 Manchester United 4-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1974 West Ham United 6-0 Tranmere Rovers (League Cup second round replay)
1976 Bristol City 1-1 West Ham United (Division One)
1982 West Bromwich Albion 1-2 West Ham United (Division One)
1993 Blackburn Rovers 0-2 West Ham United (Premier League)
1996 Barnet 1-1 West Ham United (League Cup second round second leg)
2004 West Ham United 1-1 Ipswich Town (Premier League)
2010 Stoke City 1-1 West Ham Unitef (Premier League)

Complete record Played 15, Won 6, Drawn 7, Lost 2, Scored 30, Conceded 18