Sibling rivalry

West Ham United have long been known as a family club - so it's no surprise to find out that so many brothers have worn the famous claret and blue.

Whilst names like Anton and Rio will be familiar to most of us, how many can say they've heard of David and Norman Corbett? Read on as we take a look at those siblings who have featured for West Ham United.

George & Jack Hilsdon

George - whose nickname 'Gatling-Gun George' came from a 1906 club programme (and was attributed to his shooting prowess) - enjoyed two spells with the Hammers between 1904-06 and 1912-16. Fearsome on his day, George hit four goals in his first seven games (including one on his debut) before sustaining an injury which kept him out for the rest of the season.

Despite returning briefly at the start of the 1905/06 campaign he was soon replaced and made just one more appearance before joining Chelsea on a free transfer at the end of the season. Having enjoyed the best years of his career at Stamford Bridge (a spell that led to him being immortalised in a weather vane that can still be seen at the Bridge today, see left) he returned to Upton Park following Chelsea's relegation from Division One amidst rumours of a serious drink problem, something that led to him being one of the first Hammers to be booed by a less-than-impressed Boleyn crowd!

Despite enjoying something of a renaissance at the Boleyn over the next four years the outbreak of war halted George's career; a mustard gas attack at Arras in 1917 that left him with irrepairably damaged lungs permanently ended it.

Brother Jack, also a striker, made a single appearance for the Irons against former club Luton in 1903.

Albert & Frank Denyer

Albert Denyer, a centre forward by trade was snapped up by then-manager Syd King in 1912 having been spotted playing amateur football. Despite only spending two years with the club he managed 17 goals from 50 appearances - including 12 in the 1912/13 season which helped the Hammers to third in the Southern League, the club's highest ever finish at the time.

Brother Fred (more commonly known as 'Frank'), a defender by trade, joined the Hammers a year later - his arrival assisted no doubt by the success of his younger brother (born three years after Albert in 1894). However he failed to impress manager King and after just two games returned to footballing obscurity.

Ted & Benny Fenton

The Forest Gate-born Fentons' influence loomed large over West Ham United for much of the mid-20th century. Ted, whose playing career at the Boleyn lasted 14 years between 1932-1946 briefly left the club for a player/manager role with the now defunct Colchester Town before returning to Upton Park in 1950 to succeed his former boss, Charlie Paynter.

Fenton (pictured left) - who always maintained that he failed to get the credit he deserved for leading the Hammers back to the top flight for the first time in 25 years - oversaw United's return to Division One in 1959 but was replaced by Ron Greenwood less than 18 months later.

Ted's far-less-known sibling Benny played up front for the Hammers during the Second World War. Upon the end of hostilities he moved across the river to join Millwall before later joining Charlton and Colchester. Like Ted he too moved into management and enjoyed spells at the final three clubs he had previously played for.

Benny died in Dorset aged 81 in 2000; Ted, 78, had been killed in a car crash eight years earlier.

David, Willie & Norman Corbett

Norman 'Norrie' Corbett was a no-nonsense Scottish right-half who spent 14 years with the Hammers between 1936-1950. Signed from Hearts for whom he made his debut at the age of just 15, Corbett donned the claret and blue shirt on 166 occasions and was briefly appointed first team coach.once his playing career ended.

David Corbett, also a right half made four first team appearances in the 1936/37 season whilst third brother Willie made a couple of guest appearances for the club during the Second World War.

Andy & Bill Nelson

Andy Nelson, a midfielder, made just 15 first team appearances under Ted Fenton between 1957-59. He was to prove more successful at Ipswich Town, with whom he won the First Division in 1962. Yet another ex-Hammer who turned to management, Nelson later enjoyed great success

in the lower leagues with Gillingham and, most notably, Charlton.

Older brother Bill was a full-back who made just two appearances in the 1954/55 season. He later joined QPR.

John & Clive Charles

John (pictured left), the first black player to appear in West Ham United's first team was born in 1951 and starred for the Hammers between 1962-1970. He went on to make 142 appearances, scoring two goals before being forced to retire at the age of just 26.

Younger brother Clive, born seven years after John in 1951 made just 15 appearances under Ron Greenwood between 1971-1974 before joining Cardiff City and later moving to the USA. His management career was rather more successful and he spent three years as assistant head coach to the American national team.

John, who remained in or around the East End all his life died in 2002. Clive, who remained in the USA died in Portland less than a year later.

Rio & Anton Ferdinand

Some 30 years after the Charles brothers had played their last game for the club Anton Ferdinand became the most recent sibling to feature for West Ham United. Some three years prior to his debut, elder brother Rio had joined Leeds United for £18million - a then-world record fee for a defender.

Anton, like Rio featured in West Ham's first team for four years before moving on; the former England under 21 is currently at Sunderland following an £8million switch last year, whilst Rio regularly features for both Manchester Utd and England.

* Several other brothers - including Hugh & George Mills and Michael & Graeme Carrick - have been on West Ham's books, but only one has featured for the first team.

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