West Ham’s relegation past, when was the last time they dropped and how did they make history
West Ham is heading into the final two matches of the season in the drop zone and will need to win out and get some outside help to secure salvation.
Dark days that lie ahead for West Ham United if they aren’t able to turn the tides of the relegation race in the final two weeks of the season. It’s been a while but West Ham fans are starting to feel a familiar sensation of disappointment and despair as the finish line inches closer.
Relegation cloud hovering over London Stadium
The Hammers are currently sitting in 18th place, in the drop zone and two points behind Tottenham in the two horse chase for salvation. Their heartbreaking loss to Arsenal over the weekend gave Tottenham a chance to blow the race wide open if they could beat Leeds United from north London, but Spurs let the chance slip through their fingers. It’s going to be a sprint to the finish line for both of these clubs who are desperately trying to avoid relegation.
In the immediate aftermath of West Ham United’s controversial loss to Arsenal, Jarrod Bowen launched the protests at the officials, Tomas Soucek and Callum Wilson pleaded for answers, while an incandescent Mads Hermansen repeatedly wagged his finger and had to be ushered away.… pic.twitter.com/oxQrO6lzeV
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) May 11, 2026
West Ham have experienced relegation a bit more than Tottenham over the last century. The last time Spurs were sent to the second division was a half century ago. The Hammers, unfortunately, have experienced the sad reality of relegation a couple times since the turn of the century.
The last time they were relegated was in the 2010-11 season. West Ham finished dead last with a record of 7-12-19 and 33 points to end the season. That was six points behind Birmingham and Blackpool who also got sent to the Championship that season. West Ham bounced back the next year and ended up finishing third in the Championship and going on to win the playoff against Blackpool to return to the Premier League.
A record setting relegation
Their previous relegation came in 2003, and that was a record setting relegation in the Premier League. It came as no consolation to the Hammers or their fans but that year West Ham became the team with the most points to get relegated in the history of the Premier League. They finished with a record of 10-12-16 and ended the season with a record 42 points, but it wasn’t enough to save them from dropping to the second division. That year West Brom (26 points) and Sunderland (19 points) dropped down to second division with West Ham.
Getting to 40 points used to be sweet relief for Premier League managers – safety from relegation. In many recent seasons even 30 was plenty.
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 29, 2026
Not in 2025-26, though.
With several teams fighting to avoid finishing 18th, we could be looking at a season that eclipses West Ham's in… pic.twitter.com/KMmUYEcJJu
West Ham also got relegated in the 1991-92 season which meant that they weren’t in the top flight for the debut season of the Premier League. In 1992-93 while Manchester United were busy winning the opening edition of the Premier League, West Ham finished second in what was then called the Football League.
Before that, West Ham had suffered three relegations. The first came in the 1931-32 campaign after a nine year stay in Division 1. They would take 26 years to get back to the top flight, but made their return in 1958. They would hang around Division 1 until 1978 when they dropped back down only to get promoted three years later. In 1986 they would finish 3rd in the league, their best finish in club history, only to get relegated in 1989.
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