Frank McAvennie

Flamboyant Scottish striker who became an Upton Park idol in his first season at the Club. After signing for £340,000 from St. Mirren in the summer of 1985, Frank's 28 goals helped the Hammers to reach their highest ever league placing. Striker Frank McAvennie made his name in a storming first season playing with West Ham United in 1986. Though he then had a more subdued year, Celtic were still willing to pay £750,000 to take the player from the London club.

Renowned for his consistent goal-scoring ability, especially his superb headers, 'Maca' soon returned to form at Parkhead and scored 34 goals in 66 games for the side. The highlight of his Celtic career was scoring twice in the 1988 Scottish Cup Final against Dundee United to give Celtic the double in their centenary year.

Infamous for his champagne lifestyle, McAvennie was no stranger to controversy on the pitch.
During a mid-October Old Firm clash in 1988, he was involved in a scuffle on the pitch which resulted in Rangers goalkeeper Woods, centre-back Butcher and McAvennie being sent off. Unusually, they were then ordered to appear in court on breach of the peace charges along with another Rangers player Graham Roberts.

However, this one incident failed to blemish the popularity of the player who thrilled fans with the devastation caused by his deadly partnership with Andy Walker. They were highly disappointed by his decision to return to West Ham in March 1989 for £1.25million.

Frank will probably be best remembered for his final appearance in a claret and blue shirt, when he came on as a half-time substitute against Nottingham Forest on the last day of the 1991-92 season and scored a hat-trick.