On this day
Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Celebrating West Ham United's many links with the island of Ireland
On Saint Patrick's Day, we celebrate West Ham United's many links with the island of Ireland...
West Ham United have been represented by a steady stream of players from across the Irish Sea.
The first Irishman to wear Claret and Blue was Alex McCartney, who joined from Everton in 1905 and made six appearances as a right-back in the Southern League First Division.
Born in Ballynafeigh in the southern part of Belfast in 1882, McCartney played for Distillery and Linfield before moving to Everton. He returned home to play for Belfast Celtic in 1906 and was capped six times by Ireland.