Born in Lancashire on the 29th July in 1958, Alvin Martin was to become one of the finest defenders in the clubs history. In his early years he was a schoolboy at Everton and he went on to trial for two weeks at QPR. Rangers were undecided at the end of the fortnight and wanted Alvin to trial for a further week but he told them he was going on holiday. In reality, Alvin was off to West Ham for a two week trial and his determination paid off when Ron Greenwood duly offered him an apprentice contract. He played in the FA Youth cup final in 1975 and then signed as a professional on the 29th July 1976. Alvin had to patient again as his first team debut was nearly two years later as a sub away to Villa in 1978. The centre half was to go on and make the position his for many years and he played his last game for West Ham some 18 years later in May 1996. During his career he won the Hammer of the Year in 1980 and again two years later in 1982.
Alvin played 593 games for West Ham and experienced many highs and lows during this time. His first season, where he only made five appearances, was the 1977/78 relegation season. His next four seasons at the club were spent in Division two. However, as we all know it was during this period that the club won the 1980 FA Cup final and the following season played in the League Cup finals and the ECWC run. He was also a stalwart in defence when the Hammers won the second division title in 1981. His form was outstanding and Ron Greenwood selected him for England in May 1981 in a match against Brazil despite Alvin playing in the second division at the time. Agonisingly, an injury ruled him out of the World Cup in Spain the following year and he would be sorely missed by England.
-Alvin giving his all
In the clubs most successful league season ever, 1985/86, Alvin played in 40 of the 42 matches and the Hammers went on to finish 3rd in the top flight. He even notched a hat trick in the 8-1 romp against Newcastle. This was a rare enough feat in itself, but because of a string of injuries to the goalkeepers in that game, he actually scored each goal against a different custodian. The England manager in 1986 was Bobby Robson and he included Alvin for the World Cup squad in Mexico. He played in the 3-0 win against Paraguay in the group stages but was dropped for the “Hand of God” game against Argentina which saw the side eliminated. Alvin won 17 full England caps and can consider himself hard done by not to have won many more. Tough in the tackle, good in the air, Alvin was strong tactically too and could play the ball on the floor. He had the all round game.
During his prime years, Spurs made three attempts to sign him and Arsenal also had an offer rejected. Alvin was aware of the approaches but was to say “it didn’t matter anyway as long as John Lyall was my manager. He had known me since I was sixteen and taken me under his wing. He wasn’t just a manager figure to me, he was more like a father figure”
Alvin again remained loyal to West Ham when we were relegated in 1989 and he helped the club bounce back in 1991. His 21 years of service to the club was rewarded by the awarding of two testimonials for his benefit, against Spurs in 1988 and against Chelsea in 1995. Only the player who spent much of his career next to Alvin in the centre of defence, Billy Bonds, has achieved the same recognition. Alvin, or “Stretch” as he was known, played three seasons in the newly formed Premier League and finally played his last game for West Ham in a 1-1 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on the 5th May 1996 aged 37. After leaving West Ham he played 17 games for Leyton Orient before going on to manage Southend for two seasons.