In this episode of The West Ham Syndrome, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Belton, author of The Black Hammers: The Voices of West Ham United’s Ebony Heroes (2006). Nearly twenty years on from its release, Brian reflects on what inspired him to write the book, the process of researching and interviewing players, and what the stories of figures like Clyde Best and John Charles reveal about football, race, and community in East London.

We also talk about Fred Corbett, often cited as West Ham’s first Black player, and why Brian believes that story has been misunderstood, exploring Corbett’s true heritage and what it tells us about how football history is remembered and recorded.