From West Ham's cult hero, Julian Dicks, a hugely entertaining romp through football and the East End of the eighties and nineties. Where have football's 'cult figures' gone? In the sterile and corporate modern game, is there room for the mercurial midfielder or the tough-tackling defender or the pot-bellied goal poacher? Rewind two or three decades. Footballers had no media training, no filter, no 5% body fat, no cryotherapy chambers, and no quiet nights in with a curly kale salad and a glass of carrot juice. Meet Julian Dicks: undoubtedly one of the greatest 'cult figures' to play for West Ham United. Hammer Time is Dicks' hugely entertaining romp through his career and an open love letter to the unique character and atmosphere of West Ham United and East London.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Although not an East Ender by birth, Julian Dicks became an honorary 'Iron' courtesy of two memorable spells with West Ham in the Eighties and Nineties. Eleven of his 14 years of professional football were spent with the Hammers: his legacy there embraced 326 appearances and 65 goals, and he was voted 'Hammer of the Year' in 1990, 1992, 1996 and 1997. Dicks could certainly play, but it was his presence on the field as a snarling, shaven-headed, tough-tackling talisman which endeared him to the West Ham faithful. Affectionately nicknamed 'The Terminator', his unstinting aggression, energy and never-say-die attitude embodied the spirit of the club and the pride of its fans. Dicks also played for Birmingham City, Liverpool and Canvey Island, served on the coaching staff at West Ham, West Bromwich Albion and Watford, and managed Wivenhoe Town, Grays Athletic, West Ham United Ladies and Heybridge Swifts.
FREE WITH YOUR ORDER: Without a doubt the finest piece of football memorabilia in the British Isles. The only fully signed photo in existence of the legendary England team that won the FIFA World Cup in 1966. The team in the photo are wearing the red matchday shirts with Bobby Moore holding the Jules Rimet Trophy; the photo is also signed by Alf Ramsey, manager, and Harold Stephenson, trainer, as well as most of the reserves. The original was in a late 1960’s football annual that was sold to international collector Nigel Wray (https://bit.ly/Priory_Collection). You will receive with your order an A4 laminated print of this intriguing piece of historic football memorabilia. The A4 print also has the signatures of the reserves. Jimmy Greaves, Jimmy Armfield, Gerry Byrne, Ron Flowers, Norman Hunter, Terry Paine, Ian Callaghan, George Eastham, Ron Springett (signed in pencil), Peter Bonetti.
Publisher: Headline
Published: May 9, 2024
Price: £9.99
ISBN-10: 1472296591
ISBN-13: 978-1472296597
Paperback: 320 pages
Dimensions: 128 x 198 mm
