Few names are written larger in the West Ham United history books than that of Winston Reid.
The New Zealand international was a virtual unknown when he signed from Danish club Midtjylland in 2010, having appeared and scored for his country at that summer’s FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.
His first season in east London ended in the disappointment of relegation from the Premier League. His second ended in the elation of promotion via a dramatic EFL Championship Play-Off final at Wembley Stadium. His third ended with Reid being voted as the Hammer of the Year by the Claret and Blue Army.
The No2’s fourth season saw Reid score in a memorable 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, but it was at the end of his sixth that saw the Auckland-born centre-back ensure his place in West Ham folklore.
It was Wednesday 10 May, ten minutes remained in the final game to be played at West Ham’s historic home of 112 years, the Boleyn Ground, and the Hammers were drawing 2-2 with Manchester United. Dimitri Payet crossed from the left and Reid flew through the air to head the ball past David de Gea and provide the perfect farewell.
Reid returned to Upton Park for the first time since that night to record Iron Cast with his former teammate James Collins and his co-host Chris Scull, reminiscing about his unforgettable goals against Manchester United, Tottenham and Millwall, the Play-Off final win over Blackpool, playing under Sam Allardyce and Slaven Bilić and sharing a dressing room with the likes of Collins, Michail Antonio, Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble.
Hear from a true West Ham legend here!
