Stroll through the housing development springing up on the old Boleyn Ground and you can’t miss the soon-to-be completed St Pier Court.

The man who gives his name to the building may be unfamiliar to most residents of Upton Gardens. But without him West Ham United would not be the football club it is today. Some supporters will even tell you England won the 1966 World Cup because of his remarkable ability to spot budding talent.

Stanley Walter St Pier – better known as Wally – unearthed some of the greatest players ever to wear claret and blue. Bobby Moore, Geoff Hurst and Martin Peters were all discovered and mentored by him. As were John Lyall and Trevor Brooking. In truth, it would be quicker to name the West Ham legends who did not emerge from his scouting greenhouse.

Wally’s son Jim recalls a time when his dad brought home a West Ham programme in which every Hammer listed in the starting XI had been introduced to the club by him. And it didn’t happen by accident.

“His life really did revolve around football,” Jim says. “He had newspapers sent from up and down the country – I particularly remember the Green ‘Un from Sheffield and the Pink ‘Un from Norwich – which he would pore over in the eternal quest for information.”

But most of Wally’s work was done in East London and Essex, where he and his team of scouts would watch countless games in search of promising young players – with the very best being offered trials by West Ham.

“One of dad’s secret weapons was his huge network of PE teachers,” Jim says. “Who better to spot potential talent at an early age, particularly in the days when most schools had at least one team.”

One of these teachers was a Mr Joe Jagger, but his son was not destined to have a career at West Ham. The boy’s name was Mick. It seems he preferred music to football.

St Pier Court was named following a process that involved developers Barratt, Newham council, the football club and supporters. It is one of several apartment blocks within the Upton Gardens development, which will eventually boast 842 new homes and amenities for residents, including a gym. Prices start at £350,000 for a one-bed flat.

Destined to stand next to St Pier Court is the John Charles Tower – a combination that would have undoubtedly delighted the genial genius who discovered West Ham’s first black footballer. Wally was especially proud of his achievements. “Dad used to really nurture his young players. He went to dinner once a week at John’s house before training,” Jim says.

Wally’s 47-year association with West Ham began in 1929, when he joined the club as a no-nonsense defender. “He didn’t play too often for the first team,” Jim says. “He was captain of the reserves and should probably have moved on but such was his love for West Ham he stuck it out.”

That love was reciprocated by thousands of grateful supporters when, in 1975, the club organised a testimonial for Wally featuring four teams made up of West Ham players. More than 25,000 fans turned up to salute his incredible career.

Wally died in 1989 aged 84. His ashes were scattered on the Upton Park pitch. Now, thanks to St Pier Court, the site of the Boleyn Ground will finally have a lasting memorial to a true West Ham great.

Brian Williams is the author of two books about West Ham: Nearly Reach The Sky – A Farewell To Upton Park, and Home From Home – A West Ham Supporter’s Struggle To Reach The Next Level.

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