Alvin Martin
Alvin Martin started his career with Merseyside club Everton as a schoolboy, however left in 1973 after the club only offered him an apprenticeship on a part-time basis, stating at the time that he "would never kick a ball for them again". An unsuccessful trial later that summer with QPR was followed the very next day by one for WHU, where he was awarded a contract.Martin went on to amass 586 first-team appearances for the Hammers in a successful 19-year career at Upton Park, in which he became one of only two players, along with Billy Bonds, to be awarded two testimonials
It was alongside Bonds in the centre of defence that Martin — nicknamed ’Stretch’ enjoyed his most rewarding years, winning the FA Cup and winners medals in successive seasons, 1980 and 1981.
Martin was given his first England cap by Ron Greenwood, who brought him to West Ham as a 14-year-old, against Brazil at Wembley in May 1981. Injury sadly ruled him out of the 1982 World Cup Finals in Spain, but he was playing some of the finest football of his career when the next England manager, Bobby Robson, included him in his squad for the 1986 trip to Mexico. Martin played in the victory over Paraguay, but was surprisingly dropped for the next game, the quarter-final defeat by Argentina's infamous " Hand of God". In total, he made 17 appearances for England.
Martin also achieved the rare feat of scoring a hat-trick against three different Newcastle United goalkeepers - Martin Thomas, who was then injured, and outfield players Chris Hedworth and Peter Beardsley- in a Football League First Division match in April 1986 which the Hammers won 8–1. This was among the most successful seasons the club ever saw, as it achieved a club best finish of third place in the top level, and were just four points adrift of champions Liverpool.
Martin remained loyal to The Hammers despite their relegation from the top flight in 1989, and helped them gain promotion two years later. They lasted just one season back in the top flight before being relegated, only to bounce back at the first attempt. Martin, for decades the club's longest serving player, spent three more years with The Hammers in the Premier League before finally departing at the end of the 1995/96 season after nearly 20 years service.
After leaving West Ham, Martin had a brief spell with east London neighbours Leyton Orient, before managing Southend United for two years.
After retiring from management, he joined national radio station Talk Sport, while also being a regular pundit on Sky Sports TV football talk shows.
Alvin is available for Sporting Dinners, Lunches, Golf Days or Corporate Events.
