West Ham are one of the most historic clubs in English football, having developed players such as Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Geoff Hurst who went on to win the World Cup in 1966.
However, their history is pretty chequered when it comes to success on the pitch. Despite having stayed in the Premier League for the last 12 years, they have also spent significant periods outside of the top flight.
In fact, it took until 1923 (the best part of three decades after being founded), before they played a game in the top tier of English football. Since then, it is fair to say that the Hammers have had their ups and downs.
Over the course of its 129-year history, West Ham have had plenty of spells outside Division 1/ the Premier League.
How many times have West Ham been relegated?
The Irons had nine years as a top-tier side between 1923 and 1932 before their first relegation. They finished the 1931/32 campaign rock bottom, recording just 31 points from 42 games.
It was then a very long road back to Division 1. They remained in Division 2 up until (and during) World War 2. Their fortunes didn’t change much after 1945 either.
West Ham’s finally regained their title-flight status in 1958 under the management of Ted Fenton; a position they held for 20 years before a disastrous campaign led to their second relegation in 1978, finishing the season with 32 points.
They remained outside of the top division for three seasons before gaining promotion in 1981. John Lyall was in charge throughout this period, and he took them to their best-ever finish of 3rd in 1986 before suffering the ignominy of another relegation three years later.
It began a period of yo-yo-ing between the divisions. Between 1989 and 2010, the Hammers were relegated (and promoted) four times. In total, West Ham have suffered 6 relegations.
What are the odds of West Ham being relegated again?
With the club heading into the 2024/25 season with a new manager, there is an element of uncertainty about the club’s fortunes. That is reflected in their odds for relegation.
Betfred have the shortest odds, believing there is a 12/1 chance of them being relegated for a seventh time in their history next campaign. Others, such as Bet 365, have made them 20/1 to drop into the Championship.
The Hammers are by no means the favourites to finish in the bottom three. The three newly promoted clubs: Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton are the leading candidates, with the first two currently odds-on to go straight back down.
