Fans Vote For Top Five West Ham Captains of All-Time

4. Julian Dicks

• Joined West Ham: March 1988 from Birmingham City for £300,000
• Debut: April 2, 1988, vs. Sheffield Wednesday
• Hammer of the Year: Winner (1990, 1992, 1996, 1997); Runner-Up (1989)
• 326 appearances
• 65 goals

John Lyall signed Julian Dicks from Birmingham City as City were well on their way to relegation to the old Second Division in 1988. Dicks wanted to play regular first-team football in England’s top division, and he got that chance with the Hammers, making eight appearances in the 1987-88 season.

However, Dicks would soon come to find out that life at the top is not always sunshine and rainbows. Two relegations occurred during his first four years at the club. In the 1992-93 season, Dicks was sent off three different times, earning him the reputation as being a hard-nosed and physical back.

Furthermore, Dicks injured his knee that kept him out for 14 months. In fact, this was the injury that gave the left-back the nickname ‘The Terminator’.

A 13-month spell at Anfield was sandwiched between his two spells at Upton Park. While he came back ‘heavier than when he left’ according to Harry Redknapp, Dicks went right into the squad and never lost his starting spot.

Overall, Dicks had an incredible goal-scoring record, especially for a defender, scoring 65 goals in all competitions for the Hammers, 35 of them penalties. He was actually the club’s joint-leading goal scorer during the 1995-96 season, which resulted in his third of four Hammer of the Year Awards.

But the main reason Dicks endeared himself to fans was his workmanlike, physical, and hard-nosed approach to the game. Dicks was always to give 110% for the badge, something always loved and appreciated by the East London faithful.