West Ham have long had the reputation of a 'feeder' club, highlighted most prominently by the 2003 season which saw countless players including many academy players leave following the club's relegation. A team which included stars such as Jermain Defoe, Paulo Di Canio, Joe Cole, Frederic Kanoute and Glen Johnson, saw these players all leave in following season's transfer windows to varying endeavours. Other notable players such as Frank Lampard and Michael Carrick were sold on at the beginnings of what could have been illustrious careers at West Ham. Frank Lampard is a prime example of a player that went on to great post-West Ham success with Chelsea, but the decision to leave West Ham has not been a wise one for everyone. Whether higher expectations for money or an ambition for a bigger club, players have left in search of something more; something that they failed to find. To play for West Ham, a player must recognise exactly what it means. The fans, the history, the academy; all things that make West Ham United a very special club. These are players that made the decision to leave West Ham, and probably regretted it later.
