Paul Kitson

West Ham United West Ham were fighting against relegation from the Premier League when Kitson joined them. West Ham's assistant manager Frank Lampard said, "The last man we signed from Newcastle was Bryan 'Pop' Robson in the 1970s and Paul has the same qualities. He is quick, sharp and has good physical attributes." This marked the beginning of what is still arguably West Ham's finest strikeforce since the Tony Cottee/Frank McAvennie partnership of the 1980s, and a contrast following the disappointing spells of strikers like Florin Raducioiu and Paulo Futre.

Kitson bagged two against Chelsea in a 3–2 win, two against Everton in a 2–2 draw, and bagged a hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday in a 5–1 win. West Ham survived relegation despite a tough season and finished 14th, with Kitson's eight goals in 14 league games being priceless to their survival.

Subsequent seasons at Upton Park were not quite so successful, with the 1997–98 seeing Kitson restricted to 13 games and 4 goals in the Premier League (though the Hammers improved to eighth in the league and just missed out on a UEFA Cup place in their best season for over a decade), and a year later he contributed 17 games and 3 goals to a side which finished fifth to secure UEFA Cup football and their first European campaign in almost 20 years.

Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace During his final three seasons at West Ham, Kitson was loaned out to Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace, but neither of these spells was particularly productive. He scored once for Charlton, with his goal coincidentally coming against the club he would soon join on loan: Crystal Palace.

Personal life On 21 April 2018, Kitson was accused of gambling £25,000 that he was meant to be putting towards paying off his debts, after he was declared bankrupt the previous year. In 2021, Kitson was banned from driving for 22 months and fined £550 after being found guilty of drink driving. Kitson had crashed into his neighbour's fence in Billingham after a 10-hour drinking session.

Honours West Ham UEFA Intertoto Cup: 1999