Green Street Hammers
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West Ham United by the numbers: Who wore each number best?

By Jeremiah Carson

LONDON, ENGLAND - 1980. FA Cut Final West Ham v Arsenal at Wembley Stadium Trevor Brooking after scoring the only goal of the match.11/05/1980. (Photo by David Ashdown/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - 1980. FA Cut Final West Ham v Arsenal at Wembley Stadium Trevor Brooking after scoring the only goal of the match.11/05/1980. (Photo by David Ashdown/Getty Images) /
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LONDON – MARCH 31: Bobby Zamora (C) of West Ham is congratulated by teammates, Matthew Etherington (L) and James Collins (R), after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premiership match between West Ham United and Middlesbrough at Upton Park on March 31, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
LONDON – MARCH 31: Bobby Zamora (C) of West Ham is congratulated by teammates, Matthew Etherington (L) and James Collins (R), after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premiership match between West Ham United and Middlesbrough at Upton Park on March 31, 2007 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) /

Only worn for than one year once, number 29 has to fall to the somewhat one-year wonderment of Emmanuel Emenike. From the current 28, Tomas Soucek to Marks brother David Noble (joking), Roger the Relegator, and the first of Manuel Lanzini‘s numbers at West Ham… these are certainly memorable here but Manu’s first season might’ve been his most electric giving him the win.

Number 27 is filled with the current Albian Ajeti, former one season wonders at the number in Marko Arnautovic, Tony Cottee, and Lucas Perez but clearly the best to ever wear 27 at West Ham was and is Dimitri Payet, no questions asked. At 26, the battle was between Arthur Masuaku, Zavon Hines, and a young Joe Cole and you should already know how I feel about Joe Cole!

25 has been worn by David Martin, Bobby Zamora, Anton Ferdinand, and Jermain Defoe. However, Zamora wore it the longest and the best for sure. Number 24 was worn a lot but never for long. Club legends like Noble and Carton Cole wore it as well at Fredericks now. With his future so bright and still going at this number, Ryan Fredericks takes the nod at 24.

Number 23 was worn by a lot of solid West Ham players. From Diop to Downing and Johnson to Potts by as far as fan favorites and solid moments go, Jimmy Walker gets the win. It’s back to back keepers because at 22 Craig Forrest takes the cake. It’s not that Haller won’t someday hopefully surpass him, but for now, Big Trees hold the title.

It is might be tough to see but Angelo Ogbonna has been a stronghold at the back and without him, the club surely wouldn’t be where they are. Oggy beats out Michael Carrick for number 21 and moving on to 20… the young superstar, Nigel Reo-Coker gets the shirt. He wore it the longest and has had the most success at it.