ON THIS DAY | 14 SEPTEMBER 1984
🩸 A battered Alvin Martin is helped off to be treated by Dave Gladstone as West Ham cruise past Leicester City 3–0 at Upton Park
Some images capture far more than the scoreline, and this one from 14 September 1984 remains etched in West Ham folklore. With blood streaming and his face showing the toll of battle, Alvin Martin is guided from the pitch by club physio Dave Gladstone, the roar of Upton Park ringing in his ears. It was a moment that perfectly summed up both the man and the era — uncompromising, fearless, and utterly committed.
The match itself ended in a convincing 3–0 victory over Leicester City, but the afternoon was defined as much by courage as it was by goals. West Ham, under John Lyall, were building a reputation for resilience and togetherness, and Martin stood at the very heart of it. A commanding centre-half, he was never one to shy away from the physical side of the game, and on this day he paid the price in blood.
In the mid-1980s, football was a far more brutal contest than the modern game. Protective headgear was rare, substitutions were limited, and playing through pain was often worn as a badge of honour. When Martin was struck and left groggy, there was no immediate dash down the tunnel or lengthy stoppage. Instead, he was ushered to the touchline, where Dave Gladstone worked quickly to patch him up so he could return to the fray. The crowd responded with thunderous applause, recognising the warrior spirit on display.
That moment only seemed to galvanise West Ham. At the back, Martin’s presence gave confidence to those around him, allowing the team to play with freedom and belief. Further up the pitch, the Hammers were clinical, taking their chances and asserting control as Leicester struggled to cope with the intensity and physicality of the home side.
The 3–0 scoreline reflected a dominant performance, but it was the attitude that supporters remembered most. This was West Ham at their hardest and most honest — a team that grafted, fought, and refused to be intimidated. Alvin Martin embodied those values throughout his career, and this match served as a snapshot of why he became such a revered figure in claret and blue.
For Dave Gladstone, too, it was a reminder of the vital, often unseen role played by backroom staff in that era. Quick thinking and steady hands were essential, and his calm intervention ensured Martin could carry on, much to the delight of the Upton Park faithful.
More than four decades on, the image still resonates. It speaks to a different time in football, when toughness and loyalty were central to the game’s identity. On this day in 1984, West Ham United didn’t just beat Leicester City — they showcased the spirit that made Upton Park such an intimidating place to visit.
Bloodied, bruised, but unbowed, Alvin Martin walked off to be patched up — and into West Ham history.
