After the triumph of winning the 1980 FA Cup final, West Ham went in search for promotion back to the first division, and with Trevor Brooking in outstanding for they got their reward. They totally dominated the second division and ran out run away winners on 66 points, winning an incredible 28 matches while only losing four games. They also embarked on a fine run in the league cup, they reached the final of the competition, where they met Liverpool in the final and lost the encounter 2-1.
In their first season back in the top flight, they faired relatively well. They finished the season off in emphatic form, positioned in ninth place. A great partnership was also formed between Billy Bonds and Alvin Martin during the season.
The 1982-83 season saw the Hammers finish off in a respectable eight place, they also reached the quarter finals of the League cup, on this occasion losing 2-1 against Liverpool. The Hammers continued their stable league form during the 1983-84 season as they finished in the top half of the table once again, this time in ninth position. They reached the last sixteen of the FA Cup however they lost to Birmingham City. The Hammers were unlucky in the FA Cup the next year, as they met Manchester united in the quarter finals and were unfortunate to lose 4-2. Their league form dipped as the 1984-85 season progressed and they finished the season off in 16th position.