After the failing to secure promotion during the 1989-90 season, Billy Bonds started eyeing up the top flight at the beginning of the 1990-91 campaign. The Hammers started of the 90-91 season brightly as many stars emerged including Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley. It was their new goalkeeper, Ludek Miklosko who inspired the club to success during the 90-91 term, the Hammers finished off the season strongly in second position, which in turn promoted them to the premier league. Mid way through the campaign they bought Ian Dowie from Luton and he also proved to be an instant success at the club. What capped off the super season for the Hammers was that they played magnificently well in the FA Cup, they powered their way through to the Semi finals, losing to Nottingham Forest.
West Ham completely faltered the following season, back in the top flight. In what proved to be a long struggle of a campaign, the Hammers finished off the season rock bottom, in 22nd position and endured poor domestic cup campaigns.
West Ham found themselves back to the place they were two years prior, at the start of the 92-93 term, the second tier of English football. They dominated the first division and finished the season off in second place, winning a staggering 26 of their league matches. Despite their tremendous league success, they were poor in cup competitions, losing 2-0 in the second round of the league cup against Crewe.
Back in the top flight again, West Ham were determined to stay up this time for longer than a single season, and they received what they had requested at the beginning. A 13th position ending at the end of the season was a sound result for the Hammers, and they turned their decent league form into great FA Cup form the same year as they reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup. They lost in the last eight against Luton Town, 3-2, in a game that the Hammers initially forced into a replay.