Victory for West Ham in today?s English FA Cup final against Liverpool would be a fitting tribute to late Hammers managers Ron Greenwood and John Lyall who both passed away in the last year, says former striker Clyde Best.

West Ham enter today?s final as underdogs to their Merseyside rivals who have six FA Cup titles to their credit, having won their first in 1964-65. Liverpool last lifted the cup in 2002-03.

Greenwood and Lyall led West Ham to FA Cup victories in 1963-64, 1974-75 and 1979-80.

Best didn?t play in the 1974-75 final at Wembley or the semi -final against Ipswich, but did appear in Hammer?s quarter-final win over Swindon Town.

?It would be great to win it on their behalf because those are two individuals who helped lay the foundation from which others are benefiting today,? said Best, who made his debut in the English game as an 18-year-old in 1969 against Arsenal at Upton Park.

West Ham have gone without a major cup title since 1980 when they last won the FA Cup under Lyall?s watch, edging Arsenal 1-0 at Wembley as a Division Two club ? a feat no side outside the Premiership has achieved since.

?The timing is definitely right and hopefully the lads can pull it off. The guys are already motivated, but this should give them an added incentive to want to do well,? Best said.

?They are a good team who have some players who can play and are not to be underestimated. And I think if Liverpool go there (Cardiff) overconfident then they could be in for a shock because when it comes to something this big, you have your pride, fans and city to think about ? that?s how big the FA Cup is.

?In England there is always something to play for and that is pride. There?s no such thing as a friendly in England when it comes to something this big.?

As for West Ham?s illustrious opponents, Best said: ?Liverpool are a great team and are a team you always have to be on the lookout for. But you can?t be afraid of them. They are going to run and play just like us and so we have to try and match everything that they have.

?And if we can achieve this then I think we will be in with a chance. But if we don?t match them and let them know they are in a real game, then we could be in for a hard day.

?So we will really have to pull our socks up and not be afraid of them.?

Best, who scored 47 goals in 178 league appearances, recalled celebrating West Ham?s 1975 FA Cup triumph.

?It was a great feeling, the whole city went crazy and it?s really difficult to explain and you have to be there to experience it for yourself. The pageantry and build-up to the final starts the week before and it?s really a great thing,? he said.

?Of course, it was disappointing not to have played in the final itself, but that?s life. You have to accept these things and go on from there.?

Should West Ham win today, team manager Alan Pardew would become the first English manager to achieve the feat since Joe Royle won it with Everton back in 1995, while victory would also put an end to the club?s 26-year wait for a major trophy.