West Ham Cult-Hero Expected To Leave At Season’s End
This season has brought a lot of happy memories for West Ham fans, but it could end with a sad one. Cult-hero David Martin is
to leave the club once his contract expires at the end of the season. The goalkeeper kept two clean sheets in five games and conceded six goals. Martin was originally signed as a training ground goalkeeper, whose job description was meant to help the keepers expected to play. Last season, however, Martin was thrust into the starting eleven after a series of unfortunate events. The club was in appalling form and in free fall down the league, despite a good start to the season. First choice
picked up a hamstring injury, sidelining him for three months. The Poles replacement Roberto, who was signed in the same window as Martin, turned out to be a disaster. The Spaniard’s time in goal saw West Ham concede 17 goals in eight Premier League games. It seemed like every game Roberto played in. He would make some sort of horrific error leading to a goal.
Son of West Ham legend Alvin Martin, David Martin may not have played many games for the club but has become a cult-hero.
Fans demanded that Martin be given a chance, as he couldn’t be any worse. The goalkeeper was given his
against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and what’s a debut it was. Martin made many key saves as West Ham won the game 1-0. The scenes after the game were emotional as players ran to him to show their appreciation for his performance. Martin then celebrated the clean sheet with his father in the stands. An iconic moment in West Ham history. This season Martin has dropped back down the pecking order behind Fabianski and Darren Randolph. With prospects Joseph Anang and Nathan Trott coming through, 35-year-old Martin could be hindering their development.
Fans will always be grateful for Martin’s contribution to the club, and he will always receive a warm welcome whenever he comes back.