Book description
Little did anybody anticipate that West Ham's play-off final victory
against Preston in 2005 would provide the launch pad for one of their
most successful seasons ever, with the club securing a top-half
Premiership finish and qualifying for Europe thanks to its first FA
Cup final appearance in 26 years. Indeed, the thrilling 3-3 draw with
Liverpool will be remembered as one of the most dramatic finals of all
time.
With a keenly anticipated UEFA Cup campaign and the shock arrival of
Argentina World Cup stars Carlos Tévez and Javier Mascherano, the
future could hardly have seemed brighter. But storm clouds were
gathering on the horizon as the Hammers embarked on what would prove
to be the most turbulent and traumatic period in the club's entire
history.
A protracted takeover saga, the sacking of manager Alan Pardew, a
Premier League inquiry that would result in a record £5. 5 million
fine and a season-long battle against relegation were the main issues
that dominated the headlines, while an unseen presence - fuelled by
ego and avarice - threatened to erode the fabric of the club from
within. Yet salvation would eventually be achieved in the most
sensational and controversial of fashions.
Full of exclusive interview material, anecdotes and analytical
comment, Hammers Heaven and Hell investigates the true reasons
for two campaigns of contrast and conflict as West Ham experienced
both ecstasy and agony in equal measures.
Kirk Blows is the author of four other books on West Ham and was
formerly the editor of the club's official magazine,
Hammers News
. As a newspaper journalist, he writes for
The London Paper
.
