The Delorean Chronicles: West Ham United vs Oxford United

It is just as important to remember where you came from as it is where you are going. This phrase is key to the successes and failures of West Ham United and it strikes at the core of the club. Follow along as we start a new forum series and step into the way back machine.

The first time West Ham and Oxford United met was in 1985 in the old League Division One. Since then, they have only faced off 14 more times. The majority of their matches were in league play but the two sides have met 3 times prior in cups ties with the Hammers getting the better of the Yellows 2 games to 1.

If the Hammers can live up to their play at the moment, then this cup tie shouldn’t be much different as far as results go. In the history of these two clubs, there haven’t ever been too many memorable matches. However, during a preseason match in 1994, there were two different occurrences that show why football can be so entertaining.

The Hammers team that year had some serious “club legend” status players playing on it in the forms of Ludek Miklosko, Alvin Martin, and defender Steve Potts. Another name that drew attention to that match was the new signing of former Oxford United wonder kid, Joey Beauchamp. Even though Beauchamp was playing in front of his former club, fans, and family, his storied return was not the biggest story of the match.

The biggest story of the match rallied around West Ham fan Steve Davies and the, at the time, assistant manager Harry Redknapp ( I know, shocker). During the match Steve, like many Hammers faithful do, was giving Irons forward Lee Chapman a lot of stick for not playing well. As the second half approached, Redknapp went over to Steve and said “Oi, can you play as good as you talk?”

At that time and probably still accurate, no fan had ever come onto the pitch to play during a match, however, the rest of that day was history. Davies even went on to score for the Hammers and just a few weeks later Redknapp was promoted from assistant manager to manager, obviously not related or at least to our knowledge anyway.

I’m sure this Wednesday evening will bring all of the thrills and spills of a cup tie as West Ham travels to Oxford. There might even be some more history made between these two clubs but I doubt that it’ll come close to the day Harry Redknapp brought on a fan to play for the Hammers. Until then, COME ONE YOU IRONS!