Quick answer: Alvin Martin is a retired English professional footballer born on July 29, 1958, in Bootle, Liverpool. He spent the majority of his career at West Ham United and is best known for scoring a hat-trick against three different Newcastle United goalkeepers in a single match in 1986. His son, David Martin, followed him into professional football as a goalkeeper.

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Full Name	Alvin Edward Martin
Date of Birth	July 29, 1958
Place of Birth	Bootle, Liverpool, England
Age	66 (as of 2025)
Nationality	English
Position	Midfielder
Club Career	West Ham United (1977–1996), Leyton Orient (1996–1997)
International Caps	17 (England)
Notable Achievement	Hat-trick against three different goalkeepers (1986)
Son	David Martin (professional goalkeeper)
Estimated Net Worth	Not publicly confirmed

---

Alvin Martin: The West Ham Legend Who Scored One of Football’s Most Unique Hat-Tricks

West Ham United has produced plenty of memorable players. Bobby Moore. Geoff Hurst. Paolo Di Canio. But few careers carry the kind of quiet, sustained greatness that defined Alvin Martin’s two decades at Upton Park.

Born in Bootle, Liverpool, on July 29, 1958, Martin grew into one of the most dependable midfielders of his generation. He was a two-time FA Cup finalist, an England international, and—on one extraordinary afternoon in May 1986—the man who scored a hat-trick against three different goalkeepers. That story alone has kept his name in football conversations for nearly four decades.

This article covers everything you need to know about Alvin Martin: his early life, his playing career, his family, his post-football work, and what we know about his net worth.

Who Is Alvin Martin? Early Life and Background

Martin grew up in Bootle, a working-class area on Merseyside. Despite being from the north of England, he made his name in East London—a journey that shaped both his identity and his career.

He joined West Ham United’s youth setup and made his senior debut for the club in 1977 at just 18 years old. From the outset, Martin showed the reading of the game and physical presence that would make him a mainstay of West Ham’s midfield for nearly two decades.

His Liverpool roots stayed with him throughout his career, though he became synonymous with the Hammers. That kind of loyalty—almost unthinkable in the modern transfer market—is part of what makes Martin’s story worth telling.

Alvin Martin’s Career at West Ham United: A Two-Decade Commitment

How did Alvin Martin become a West Ham United icon?

Martin made 598 appearances for West Ham United in all competitions, a number that places him among the club’s all-time appearance makers. He was a key figure during a particularly successful era for the club in the 1980s, when West Ham finished third in the First Division in the 1985–86 season—their highest-ever league finish at the time.

During that same season, Martin was named Hammer of the Year, the club’s top individual honor voted for by supporters. It reflected just how central he had become to West Ham’s identity.

He also played in two FA Cup finals. West Ham lost to Arsenal in 1980, though Martin was a part of a squad that was building toward something significant. He won the Second Division title with West Ham in 1981, helping the club return to the top flight, and remained part of the team through their most competitive years.

The hat-trick against three goalkeepers: what actually happened?

On May 21, 1986, Alvin Martin scored three goals against Newcastle United in a First Division match that West Ham won 8–1. That scoreline alone is remarkable. But the circumstances surrounding Martin’s hat-trick are what made it legendary.

Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper, Martin Thomas, was injured during the match. Two outfield players—Chris Hedworth and then Peter Beardsley—were forced to go in goal at different points. Martin scored against all three. It remains one of the most unusual hat-tricks in English football history, and it is the fact most associated with his name today.

It is worth noting that while the scoreline and the hat-trick are well-documented, some sources vary slightly on the specific details of the goalkeeper substitutions. The broad fact—three goals, three different goalkeepers—is consistently confirmed across reputable football records.

International career with England

Martin earned 17 caps for England, representing his country between 1981 and 1986. He was part of the England squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, though his role was limited at tournament level.

His international career, while not as prominent as his club record, confirmed his status as one of the better English midfielders of his era. Seventeen caps across a period when English football was particularly competitive is no small achievement.

Leyton Orient and retirement

After leaving West Ham in 1996 following nearly two decades of service, Martin had a brief spell at Leyton Orient in the 1996–97 season before retiring from professional football. He was 38 years old—an age that speaks to the fitness and durability he maintained throughout his career.

Career Timeline

Year	Event
1958	Born in Bootle, Liverpool, on July 29
1977	Makes senior debut for West Ham United
1980	Plays in FA Cup Final (West Ham lose to Arsenal)
1981	Wins Second Division title with West Ham
1981	Earns first England cap
1985–86	West Ham finish third in First Division; Martin named Hammer of the Year
1986	Scores hat-trick against three different Newcastle goalkeepers
1986	Part of England’s World Cup squad in Mexico
1996	Leaves West Ham after 19 years
1996–97	Plays for Leyton Orient before retiring

Alvin Martin’s Family Life: His Son David Martin

Who is David Martin, Alvin Martin’s son?

Alvin Martin’s son, David Martin, followed his father into professional football. Unlike his father, David plays as a goalkeeper—a position that has taken him through a long career across the English Football League.

David Martin has played for a number of clubs throughout his career, including Millwall, Derby County, and most notably West Ham United. His move to West Ham, the club where his father became a legend, drew attention from supporters who remembered Alvin’s time there fondly.

David Martin is also known publicly as the former partner of television presenter Alison Hammond. The couple had a relationship and share a son together, though they have since separated. This connection brought David—and by extension, Alvin—into broader entertainment media coverage.

Details about Alvin Martin’s personal life outside of his football career and family connections are not widely documented in the public record. He has maintained a relatively private life compared to many former players of his profile.

What Has Alvin Martin Done Since Retiring from Football?

After retiring as a player, Martin moved into football media. He has worked as a pundit and commentator, appearing on radio and television to offer analysis and insight on the game he spent his life playing.

His punditry work has kept him connected to football, and his detailed knowledge of the game—earned through nearly 600 appearances at the top level—has made him a credible and respected voice in that space.

He has not taken on any prominent managerial or coaching roles at club level, though like many former players of his era, his post-playing career has been built around sharing expertise rather than returning to the dugout.

What Is Alvin Martin’s Net Worth?

Alvin Martin’s exact net worth has not been publicly confirmed, and any figure cited online should be treated as an estimate rather than a verified fact.

What we can reasonably note is that Martin played professional football for approximately 20 years at the top level of the English game. During the 1980s, footballer salaries were significantly lower than they are today, which means the kind of wealth associated with modern Premier League players would not apply to his era.

His post-retirement work in football media—punditry, broadcasting, and commentary—would have contributed additional income over the years. Beyond that, specific figures are not available from credible public sources, and we have chosen not to speculate.

What Made Alvin Martin’s Playing Style Stand Out?

Martin was known as a box-to-box midfielder with a strong physical presence and a reliable reading of the game. He was not a flashy player—his game was built on consistency, positioning, and the kind of competitive edge that makes a player indispensable to a club over a long period.

Former teammates and opponents have spoken about his leadership qualities, and his longevity at West Ham—a club that can be demanding of its players—reflects the level of trust the management and supporters placed in him.

He represents a type of player that has arguably become rarer in football: the one-club man, loyal to an institution through promotion, relegation battles, cup finals, and everything in between.

Alvin Martin’s Legacy at West Ham United

West Ham United retired no formal squad number in Martin’s honor, but his legacy at the club is reflected in his appearance record, his Hammer of the Year award, and the fact that his name is still regularly invoked in discussions about the greatest players in the club’s history.

His hat-trick in 1986 is the moment most casual football fans will associate with his name. But supporters who watched him week in and week out will remember the broader contribution—the tackles, the leadership, the consistency—that made the hat-trick moment possible in the first place.

Alvin Martin’s Enduring Place in English Football History

Alvin Martin played nearly 600 games for one club, earned 17 international caps, and scored one of the most unusual hat-tricks ever recorded. He raised a son who also made it as a professional footballer. And he has spent years contributing to the game as a pundit and commentator.

That is a career worth knowing about. His story is a reminder that football history is not always written by the players who moved clubs every two years chasing trophies and wages—sometimes it belongs to the ones who stayed.

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Alvin Martin