 After Lyall , Lou Macari briefly led the team , though he resigned after less than a single season in order to clear his name of allegations of illegal betting while manager of Swindon Town . He was replaced by former player Billy Bonds . In Bonds ' first full season , 1990 – 91 , West Ham again secured promotion to Division One . Now back in the top flight , Bonds saw West Ham through one of their most controversial seasons . With the club planning to introduce a bond scheme , there was crowd unrest . West Ham finished last and were relegated back to Division Two after only one season . However , they rebounded strongly in 1992 – 93 . With Trevor Morley and Clive Allen scoring 40 goals , they guaranteed themselves second place on the last day of the season with a 2 – 0 home win against Cambridge United , and with it promotion to the Premier League . 
