John Lyall

[hammer_scout51]

Unconfirmed reports that the great John Lyall has died from a heart attack. Any updates let me know, i am absolutely gutted.

[claret50]

Unconfirmed reports that the great John Lyall has died from a heart attack. Any updates let me know, i am absolutely gutted.

Nothing on the bbc or Rueters Mike, so sad if it's true.

[westhamfan]

Just read on BBCi, heart attack, very sad. R.I.P John Lyall.

[Ricardinho10]

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/Joshuadog10/whu_1145439999_lyall3.jpg
RIP You will always be remembered.

From the official

19/04/2006 10:42
Everyone at West Ham United is extremely saddened by the tragic news that our former manager, John Lyall, has died suddenly at the age of 66.

John passed away late on Tuesday night after suffering a heart-attack at his Suffolk home. The news comes just two months after the death of another legendary Hammers manager, Ron Greenwood, who was John's mentor in the game.

John spent a total of 34 years at the Boleyn Ground, originally joining the Club as a groundstaff boy in 1955. A solid and dependable left-back, he won England youth honours and was a member of the West Ham United team that reached the 1957 FA Youth Cup final, before making his senior debut against cheatski in February 1960.

However, after a three-year fight against persistent knee injuries, he was forced to retire from the game prematurely at the age of just 24, when he began taking his first steps on the coaching ladder, guided by Ron, who eventually appointed him as his Assistant Manager in 1971.

In August 1974, John took over the running of team duties, with Ron moving upstairs as General Manager. A year later, Hammers won the FA Cup, and John became the only manager in our history to win it twice when he led the team to a famous 1-0 victory over Arsenal five years later.

He also took the club to the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1976 and the Second Division Title in record-breaking style in 1981. Five years later, he led West Ham United to our highest-ever league placing of third in the old First Division.

John left the Club in the summer of 1989 following our relegation from the top flight, but nothing will ever tarnish the memory of all that he achieved during his 34 years at Upton Park.

Our sincere thoughts and condolences go to John's wife Yvonne, his son Murray and the rest of his family at this very sad time.

Details of how the Club intend to pay tribute to John's memory will appear here on whufc.com as soon as they are confirmed, and further tributes from his former colleagues and friends will also appear on the site throughout today.

[torontohammer]

Very sad indeed. 66 years of age, an incredible 34 of which involved West Ham. That's got to be unheard of.

RIP

[TheresaWHUFC]

Very sad news, such a nice, dignified man, and one who brought our beloved club some of the finest moments in its history.

RIP John, let's win the Cup this year for you.

[pething101]

RIP, John.

[hammermolder]

RIP, John.
terrible news,John was manager when i was going to the games before i came to the states, charming man and great manager,RIP,my thoughts are with his family

[LAIrons]

What a choker,there was no better chant than"Johnny Lyalles claret and blue army".I saw the last couple of years of Greenwood,then came John Lyall which for me included some of my happiest memories as a Hammers fan.God bless him and lets hope Pardew can make us proud Sunday.

[claret50]

R.I.P. John.

[west_ham]

RIP John Lyall.

He was manager when I started supporting West Ham, in fact for the first 14 years of my life, which makes him a manager I can never forget.

I mentioned recently that Ron Greenwood was manager during West Ham's greatest years, but now here we are talking about John having the greater success. So, in an attempt to avoid sounding a bit hypocritical, I think John brought great success in a way that continued what Ron started. Both achieved things that the other didn't and put enough years in to promote them to the West Ham hall of legends.

May the future deliver to us more managers like Ron and John.

[hammer_scout51]

RIP John Lyall.

He was manager when I started supporting West Ham, in fact for the first 14 years of my life, which makes him a manager I can never forget.

I mentioned recently that Ron Greenwood was manager during West Ham's greatest years, but now here we are talking about John having the greater success. So, in an attempt to avoid sounding a bit hypocritical, I think John brought great success in a way that continued what Ron started. Both achieved things that the other didn't and put enough years in to promote them to the West Ham hall of legends.

May the future deliver to us more managers like Ron and John.


Mate its not hypocritical at all its 100% correct in my opinion. Ron was West Ham and everything good at present West Ham was started by Ron Greenwood, prior to that the Cassetteris gang. Ron was a football genius who put the basic plan into action. Ron was very much from the old Victorian upbringing School of life. Players tended to find Ron very reserved and sometimes a bit unapproachable. John Learn't everything from Ron he was the perfect student. They would talk football until 2 or 3 in the morning sometimes. Everything John acheived was from the master plan put into practice by Ron. John was far more open to the players and not as shy/reserved around the fans. Both are West Ham legends respected and loved by all Hammers. John our most successful manager often said he owed it all to Ron.

The one thing that hasn't changed is John was treated absolutely terrible by the then board. Being a privately owned club they just didn't have a clue even then.


RIP John Lyall.

[TheNewOrleansHammer]

John Learn't everything from Ron he was the perfect student. They would talk football until 2 or 3 in the morning sometimes. Everything John acheived was from the master plan put into practice by Ron. John was far more open to the players and not as shy/reserved around the fans. Both are West Ham legends respected and loved by all Hammers. John our most successful manager often said he owed it all to Ron.


AMEN

Rest in peace John Lyall, you will be missed. :(

[Birminghammer]

John was our Manager as I was growing up - his image is always emblazoned on my mind as the 'guvnor' at West Ham.

I remember Ron Greenwood going to the England job but I was very young at the time.

John was the man who brought the only living memory of glory in my lifetime.

66 is no age - he worked his way through the club from the lowest level to the pinnacle of achievement.

My thoughts are with is family and friends and celebrate the positive impact he had on my, and countless other, lives.

I weep for them at the loss of a great man.

On a personal note - he is a stranger that brightened my childhood: God Bless Him and his family.

(I shall add this tribute to the WHU website - I am sure that he will be honourably remembered at the semi final he would have been so proud of)

Rest In Peace

[LAIrons]

Scout,re your comment about the way the board treated Johnny Lyall.Could you expand on that a little since i have often heard that stated but dont really know any of the details.PS If anyone else has any input i would appreciate it.TTFN.

[hammer_scout51]

Scout,re your comment about the way the board treated Johnny Lyall.Could you expand on that a little since i have often heard that stated but dont really know any of the details.PS If anyone else has any input i would appreciate it.TTFN.



Mainly from memory mate.

Bit about John first, gave up the game through injury. I was at his testimonial in about 1964. Terrific bloke told us that day he was going into coaching under Ron. He spoke to all the kids of which i was one and left a lasting impression. He was 24 i think and played at full back with i believe Joe Kirkup the other back.
Some years later he was made manager and Ron moved upstairs. This is how far advanced Ron was, the likes of Chelsea Spuds etc. Have just bought a football director in i.e Frank Arneson. 35 years after the great man thought of it.

John then went on and took us to wembley in 75 again in 80-1. Promotion from divi 2, 3rd place in 1986 divi 1 etc etc. Cup winners cup runs, league cup runs. The set up bought through countless stars, saw Devo bought from non league for 5 grand.

The board was run by the Cearns and Hills/Warners with i believe the r sol crook multi millionaire Jack Petchey.

Cottee and Frank our CHAMPION strikers were then sold of course, we were relegated after. In about 1989 John Lyall was suddenly sacked. People i know who knew John said he never really got over this. I guess its the reason i can't stand our board, i believe shortly after this Brown succeeded Petchey. The real villains, who's families i believe financially have screwed the club for a century are still there.


Possible only Ron who the board seemed totally confused by wasn't screwed by them over the years. With Brown i believe we have more of the same. Line your own pocket t pots at the top.


Norway may know far more than me. If you get a chance read Billy Blaggs bit on John bloody superb.

[claret50]

The Times Obituary for John Lyall;

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,27-2141799,00.html

[Sxboy66]

RIP John Lyall, the first and still (so far) the best West Ham manager in my memory. I hope Pardew can make the current team understand just how much he means to the club and they play for John on Sunday.

Thanks for the memories JL and UP THE HAMMERS!

[TheresaWHUFC]

Norway may know far more than me. If you get a chance read Billy Blaggs bit on John bloody superb.

Spot on Scout, it's a superb obituary.

[Kent_Hammer]

Very sad news, and I feel this one more than Ron Greenwood because I attended more matches during the Lyall era. He was a gentleman through and through, and this aspect makes me more proud than most of his attributes.

When I see the behaviour of the likes of Warnock it just makes it more prominent. JL would never have stooped so low, even if (as Warnock said re.breaking Gary Kelly's leg) the comment was made in jest.

'86 was of course the highlight and the destroying of Chelsea 4-0 at the Bridge remains one of my most cherished memories. Rest in peace John, and let's win the FA Cup semi-final as a tribute.

Mike