The 1991-92 season was a poor one for both West Ham and McAvennie. He scored only three league goals in the first half of the season with West Ham never out of the bottom three after December 1991. He also faced competition for a regular place from new signing Mike Small. On 2 May 1992, he signed off in style at West Ham, scoring a hat-trick in his final match against Nottingham Forest having come on as a substitute for Mitchell Thomas. West Ham had already been relegated in 22nd and bottom place. His tally in a frustrating season for both the player and the club was just six goals from 20 league games.