Name: Tony Cottee (Antony Richard Cottee)
Date of Birth: 11 July 1965
Place of Birth: Forest Gate, London, England
Nationality: English
Position: Striker
Date Joined Club: 1982 (academy), first-team debut 1983
Date Left Club: 1988 (first spell); 1996 (second spell)
Appearances for West Ham: 280
Total Goals Scored: 146
Nicknames: Stumpy
Trophies (West Ham only): None
Tony Cottee was a prolific and instinctive goalscorer who enjoyed two memorable spells at West Ham United. A local boy from east London, he broke into the first team as a teenager in 1983 and formed a formidable strike partnership with Frank McAvennie. His sharp movement, clinical finishing, and work rate made him a fan favourite during the mid-1980s when the team challenged near the top of the First Division.
After a record transfer to Everton in 1988, Cottee returned to the Hammers in 1994 for a second spell, adding further goals and experience as the club navigated the Premier League era. He remains one of West Ham’s highest goalscorers of all time and a true club legend for his loyalty and contribution across nearly 300 appearances.
Tony Cottee was born in Forest Gate, east London, in July 1965 and grew up supporting West Ham United. He joined the club’s youth ranks in 1982 and made a dream debut at the age of 17 in January 1983, scoring on his first appearance. The diminutive striker quickly established himself as a key player, forming a lethal attacking duo with Frank McAvennie that helped West Ham achieve strong league finishes, including third place in 1985-86.
In his first spell, Cottee netted consistently, reaching over 90 league goals by the time he left for Everton in 1988 for a British record fee. He returned to Upton Park in September 1994 and added another significant haul of goals during two more seasons, bringing his total to 146 in around 280 appearances across all competitions. Known for his poaching instincts and tireless energy despite his smaller stature, he earned the affectionate nickname “Stumpy” among supporters.
Cottee’s passion for the club and consistent scoring made him one of the most popular players of his generation. After leaving West Ham for the final time in 1996, he continued his career with spells at Leicester City, Norwich, and others before moving into media work as a pundit. His journey from local academy prospect to club record goalscorer symbolises dedication and represents the best of West Ham’s homegrown talent.
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