 In 1978 , West Ham were again relegated to Division Two , but Lyall was retained as manager and led the team to an FA Cup Final win against Arsenal in 1980 , their last major honour . They reached the final by defeating Everton in the semi @-@ final . The Hammers won 1 – 0 , with a goal scored from a header by Trevor Brooking in the 13th minute . This is notable as no team outside the top division has won the trophy since . West Ham were promoted to Division One in 1981 , and finished in the top ten of the first division for the next three seasons before achieving their highest @-@ ever league finish of third in 1985 – 86 ; a group of players which came to be known as The Boys of 86 . However , they suffered relegation again in 1989 , which resulted in Lyall 's sacking . He was awarded an ex gratia payment of £ 100 @,@ 000 but left the club in what Lyall described as " upsetting " circumstances , meriting only 73 words in a terse acknowledgement of his service in the club programme . Lyall left West Ham after 34 years service . 
