West Ham United have had some great players down the years and some one-season wonders along the way too.
The Hammers have a long history of producing top players for club and country.
The Irons are immensely proud of their Academy of Football roots.
But West Ham have also signed some class acts down the years too.
West Ham’s list of legends is long and packed full of class players from home and abroad.
Like a firework, some of those players have burned fiercely bright in east London before vanishing or fizzling out all too quickly.
Some of the shorter-lived West Ham romances have been among the best, though.
Some of the best West Ham romances were short-lived
Most recently the likes of the mercurial Dimitri Payet and beastly Marko Arnautovic spring to mind.
Both players sprinkled their star dust over the club and Payet did so over both Upton Park and the London Stadium, giving West Ham fans some of their best memories for decades.
Two other aces who had fleeting stays with the Hammers have been in the news in recent days.
And you won’t believe where star former West Ham duo who fans loved have ended up at just 31 and 32.
Most top class footballers have careers that go into their 30s to mid-30s.
West Ham currently have a host of players in that age bracket.
But two former Hammers have had to follow in the footsteps of Andy Carroll by dropping right down the football pyramid to continue their careers despite only being 31 and 32 respectively.
READ MORE: Two amazing pieces of good news emerge from West Ham in one day
You won’t believe where star former Hammers duo are now
When Carl Jenkinson arrived at West Ham on loan from Arsenal in 2014 he had to wait for a month to make his debut due to an injury sustained in pre-season.
It was worth the wait, though, much like Sebastien Schemmel, Jenkinson wowed Hammers fans with his fearless, swashbuckling displays at right-back.
He was a key player over two seasons on loan with West Ham. He even played in goal during one game when Adrian had been sent off.
An ACL injury ended his time with the Hammers abruptly, though, when he looked like he could be the long-term answer to the club’s long search for a top quality right-back.
It’s been tough for Jenkinson ever since. Once he recovered from the ACL he was sent on loan to Birmingham, Forest and then Melbourne City over the course of the next five years.
He then stayed in Australia with Newcastle Jets for two years.
Now he’s back in England – and not a million miles from West Ham in southeast London – with League Two side Bromley.
The 32-year-old has been unveiled by Bromley who were delighted with their coup.
Jenkinson will wear the number six at Bromley and joins up with a former West Ham coach in the shape of Alex Dyer.
The ex Hammers right-back will be hoping to make his debut at Fleetwood on Saturday.
READ MORE: Journalist makes distressing new claim about West Ham manager change plans
Jenkinson at League Two Bromley and Ravel in UAE third tier
Another player who ripped it up for West Ham but faded into obscurity is Ravel Morrison.
West Ham fans knew Morrison was a top drawer talent immediately when he broke into the team for a brief spell under Sam Allardyce.
Sir Alex Ferguson once said Morrison was the best talent he had ever seen.
A host of Morrison’s former West Ham teammates agreed.
Alex Song, who played with Lionel Messi – among many other top stars at Barcelona – left jaws on the floor when he named Morrison as the best he ever played with when he retired last year.
Issues off the pitch meant Morrison’s unbelievable talent was never fully realised at West Ham or anywhere else. But he is perhaps best remembered for that short, but brilliant, spell with the Hammers.
He has had 12 clubs in the 12 years since. Now he has a 13th.
Morrison has signed for UAE third tier club Precision FC.
The club announced the signing on Instagram, describing it as a game-changer.
“This is more than a signing – it’s a statement, a game-changer for both our club and football in the UAE,” Precision said on their Instagram page.
“Known for his electrifying talent and skill, Ravel brings world-class experience and flair that will help our team to achieve its goals.”
What a shame Morrison has never truly fulfilled his undoubted potential.
But we’ll always have Spurs away.
Related Topics