![theyflysohigh logo.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_bc74dd5900fa408c8317ea76aff965eb~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_174,h_174,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/theyflysohigh%20logo.png)
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
1896-97 Friendlies
QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Friendly
Hermit Road Ground
2 - 2 (Unknown)
5 September 1896
Graham, Hurst, Chalkley, Morton, Woods W., Craig S., Woods J., Chapman, Sage, Morrison, Bailey
ERITH UNITED : Friendly
Hermit Road Ground
1 - 0 (Farrell)
12 September 1896
Barnes, Chalkley, Taylor, Craig S., French, Stares, Woods J., Thompson, Harris, Farrell, Stewart
CHATHAM : Friendly
Maidstone Road Ground
0 - 9
12 September 1896
Graham, Stevenson, Hurst, Morton, Dandridge, Davie, Dove, Rossiter, Sage, Morrison, Gresham
NOVOCASTRIANS : Friendly
Ponders End
? - ?
12 September 1896
Woodford, Hickman, Earle, Simpson, Woods, Bigden, Spruce, Ridges, Jackman, Turner, Coxhead
In miserable weather 1,200 watched the strong Southern League side easily defeat their visitors from the capital. One-up after only 7 minutes Chatham increased their lead to four with goals from Dickenson and Viall (2). Sage appeared to equalise the first score but the referee J.T. Bell decided otherwise and refused it due to off-side.
Despite a plucky show by the visitors forwards the home side increased theur lead through Leatherbarrow, Stanford and two more from Viall. Lawrence's goal, Chatham's 9th, completed the scoring although Sage's shot seemed to cross the Chatham line via a post but the referee ruled it hadn't.
Chatham:
Jones, Robertson, Humphreys, Brisley, Hughes, Russell, Lawrence, Leatherbarrow, Viall, Stanford, Dickenson
WATFORD ST MARY'S : Friendly
Away
0 - 1
19 September 1896
Graham, Chalkley, Taylor, Hickman, French, Stares, Woods, Stewart, Coxhead, Harris, Bailey
SOUTHEND UNITED : Friendly
Southend
? - ?
19 September 1896
Line-up Unknown
CLAPTON ORIENT : Friendly
Clapton
? - ?
26 September 1896
Charsley, Chalkley, Taylor W., Morton, Woods J., Bird, Coxhead H., Stares, Chapman, Taylor W.B., Stewart
LEIGH : Friendly
Leigh
7 - 4 (Davie 2, Morrison 2, Gresham, Rossiter, (1 unknown))
3 October 1896
Charsley, Stevenson, Holstock, Nichols, Dandridge, Bird, Rossiter, Davie, Ridges, Gresham, Morrison
SOUTHEND UNITED : Friendly
Hermit Road Ground
7 - 0 (Groome 4, Ridges, Stewart, Williams)
10 October 1896
Graham, Chalkley, Taylor, Hickman, Wood W., French, Ridges, Woods, Groome, Stewart, Williams
2nd COLDSTREAM GUARDS: Friendly
Hermit Road Ground
3 - 2 (Ridges 2, Bailey)
17 October 1896
Graham, Chalkley, Holstock, Holmes, Dandridge, Bird, French, Woods, Ridges, Stewart, Bailey
OLD ST STEPHEN'S : Friendly
Wormholt Farm, Uxbridge Road
0 - 1
7 November 1896
Peto W., Chalkley F., Neil G.M., Morton W., Dinan J., Hickman W., Sage G., Woods J., Hatton E.G., Stewart J., Williams C.
GRAYS UNITED: Friendly
Bridge Road Ground
2 - 2 (Morrison, Ridges)
14 November 1896
Graham, Taylor, Reed, Bird, Dinan, Dove, Davie, Morrison, Ridges, Gresham, Rossiter
The visitors were the first to score from the toe of Morrison. The pace was very hot, and the visitors had the best of matters for a short time, when, with a determined rush, Keegan was out-mastered and the game re-started. Griffiths played a grand game at the back, and the half-back trio was a pretty and effective combination, working hard and successfully to break up the dangerous front rank of the visitors. All in all the latter were the best team, and would have won had not Mann scored a brilliant goal, which served to nerve the homesters, who, followed by the shouts of the 700 or 800 persons assembled, proceeded on many an aggressive incursion, in which they fared no worse than their opponents; the custodian on either side being fully alive to the responsibilities of his position. Just before the interval, Ridges, the Ironworks centre forward, rushed in and received a neat pass opportunely from the wing and found the net; the visitors thus crossing by lead of goal. Undaunted by this, the homesters exerted themselves to the utmost, and before long success crowned their efforts. Bateson received the leather from a rush, accompanied it from a dozen yards off into the net. Thence till the call the encounter was exciting, at times giving rise to splendid football, but the evening began to draw in apace. The kick-off was late, for no earlier hour bad been fixed than that of several weeks past. In consequence the end of the game arrived in well-developed dusk, but the result was exceedingly well received. The fine game all the way through deserved a much greater “gate."
Grays United:
Keegan, Griffiths, Hammond, Thompson, Ward, Danks, Mann, Wiggins, Bateson, Siltoe, Waterfield
BRENTWOOD : Friendly
Brentwood
0 - 2
14 November 1896
Line-up Unknown
The Thames Ironworks Club having joined the ranks of the professionals, consequently withdrew from the match with Brentwood in the South Essex League, which was fixed for Saturday, Nov. 14. The club, however, offered to play a friendly " with Brentwood on condition that a guarantee of a few pounds were given. The condition was accepted, the Brentwood team not caring to abstain from play for three Saturdays in succession. Brentwood won by two gaols to nil.
Brentwood:
Quinnen, Brown, Naylor, Armstrong, Flynn, Williams, Bright, Pwer, Perry, Miller, Hartland
ST LUKE'S : Friendly
Becton Road
1 - 2 (Williams)
21 November 1896
Graham, Stevenson, Taylor, Dove, Dandridge, Bird, Rossiter, Gresham, Williams, Davie, Morrison
WOODGRANGE ATHLETIC : Friendly
Away
0 - 1
28 November 1896
Line-up Unknown
SOUTH WEST HAM : Friendly
Hermit Road Ground
1 - 2 (Stephenson [pen])
28 November 1896
Line-up Unknown
GRAVESEND ATHLETIC : Friendly
Overcliffe Ground
0 - 2
5 December 1896
Duff, Neil, Read, Williams, Dandridge, Bird, Davy, Davie, Morrison, Gresham, Rossiter
BARKING WOODVILLE : Friendly
Vicarage Field
3 - 1 (Gresham 2, Davie)
12 December 1896
Duff, Chalkley, Taylor, Bird, Dandridge, Hickman, Rossiter, Gresham, Dove, Davie, Stevenson
GRAVESEND ATHLETIC : Friendly
Overcliffe Ground
2 - 6 (Unknown)
19 December 1896
Duff, Chalkley, Tranter, Morton, Dandridge, Bird, Rossiter, Gresham, Dove, Davie, Stevenson
WEST HAM GARFIELD : Friendly
Away
4 - 0 (Unknown)
19 December 1896
Line-up Unknown
LEYTON : Friendly
Away
1 - 4 (Stephenson)
26 December 1896
Duff, Chalkley, Tranter, Morton, Hickman, Walker, Stevenson, Gresham, Davie, Stares, Bird
Played at Leyton, in fine but gloomy weather, the ground being in a wretched condition owing to rain, before about 350 people. The game, which was of a fairly exciting and interesting description, ended in a win for Leyton by four goals to one. The Thames lads started the ball, but owing to the absence of Morrison they only played with ten men, and Leyton soon began to press, Carr scoring the first goal for them, followed by one each from Russell and Massey, while Stevenson was enable to score the first and only point for the visitors, the score standing at three goals to one in favour of Leyton at half-time. Restarting, Leyton still maintained their advantage, but failed to add more than one point, which was scored by Read. Just before time Elliott, the Leyton back, had to retire, owing to a kick on the ankle, and the game ended in a win for the home team.
Leyton:
Walker, Elliott, Lamb, Finch, Russell, Cartwright, Read, Nichols, Russed, Massey, Carr
BOW : Friendly
Away
? - ?
26 December 1896
Line-up Unknown
CHESHAM GENERALS : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
29 December 1896
Duff, Chalkley, Tranter, Morton, Hickman, Bird, Stares, Gresham, Ridges, Morrison, Stevenson
3rd GRENADIER GUARDS : Friendly
Herne Hill
? - ?
2 January 1897
Line-up Unknown
VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF CORPS : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
9 January 1897
Line-up Unknown
VOLUNTEER MEDICAL STAFF CORPS : Friendly
Woolwich
? - ?
6 February 1897
Line-up Unknown
3rd GRENADIER GUARDS 'A' : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
13 February 1897
Line-up Unknown
SOUTHEND UNITED : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
20 February 1897
Line-up Unknown
ORIENT : Friendly
Southend
? - ?
6 March 1897
Line-up Unknown
IDEAL WANDERERS : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
13 March 1897
Line-up Unknown
LEYTON : Friendly
Essex County Ground
1 - 4 (Butterworth [pen])
27 March 1897
Charsley, Chalkley, Tranter, Dove, Dandridge, Bird, Olivant, Gresham, Butterworth, Hewitt, Cooper
SHEPPEY UNITED : Friendly
Botany Road
1 - 5 (Dove)
16 April 1897
Furnell, Chalkley, Tranter, Woods, Dandridge, Hickman, Older, Gresham, Morrison, Dove, Olivant
Thames Ironworks paid their second visit of the season, taking the place of Ashford on the fixture card. The weather was boisterous, and there were not more than 600 persons present.
Play ruled in favour of Sheppey throughout. From some pretty play by Harrison, Edwards and Rule, the latter scored for Sheppey three minutes from the start. A penalty kick fell to Sheppey for one of the visitors wilfully handling within the twelve yards' line, but Funnell saved from Rule, who took the kick. Shortly afterwards two goals were scored in quick succession, Rule beating Lissendon for the second, while the third came from a free kick by Lutfoot, which was assisted into the net by Rule. Before half-time arrived Lissenden further increased Sheppey's score with a fine shot - the best goal of the first half. Ends having been changed, Sheppey, although facing the breeze, were more often dangerous than their opponents. Rule re-opened the scoring, and bout midway through the half Dove notched a point for the visitors.
Sheppey United:
Kirby, Penney, Coulter, Crockford, Matthews, Lutfoot, Harrison, Cottrell, Rule, Lissenden, Edwards
HOLBORN MINORS : Friendly
Away
1 - 2 (Unknown)
16 April 1897
Line-up Unknown
DEPTFORD TOWN : Friendly
Away
0 - 4
17 April 1897
Line-up Unknown
MANSFIELD HOUSE : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
17 April 1897
Line-up Unknown
KIRKLEY (Suffolk) : Friendly
Acton Ground
0 - 1
19 April 1897
Furnell, Dove, Tranter, Howell, Hickman, Morton, Chapman, Morrison, Butterworth, Gresham, Olivant
The match at Kirkley attracted a considerable crowd yesterday afternoon, and those who attended the Acton Ground were highly satisfied with what they saw. Both teams played an excellent game, which was of a very good character. The visitors brought a very strong team, and the Kirks obtained the services of the brothers Hodsoll, who occupied the right wing.
Kirkley won the toss and the visitors started the sphere rolling towards the western citadel. Kirkley at once put in some pretty work, and H. P. Wiltshire at once made Fernell fist away. Shortly afterwards he was troubled again, but disposed of a difficult shot in a good manner. Kirkley maintained their pressure, and on two occasions the leather was sent behind, The visitors, by splendid play, gradually bore down, but Timoney relieved. The game was of a high character, and although it fluctuated for a little while some pretty passing was noticeable in each team. Kirkley obtained a corner, but the Londoners got it away in line style. Chapman sprinted away, but Chignell was up to the occasion, and the ball was sent away. Foul against Pope allowed the visitors to get into close quarters, but Critten avoided danger at a critical moment. The homesters made another rush, and were allowed a free kick in front of goal owing to one of the visitors handling the ball. The leather was placed well, and Hodsoll headed the sphere into the net. Directly after restarting the Kirks' forwards ran away, and Fernell received a beauty from H. P. Wiltshire, which he saved just in time. The visitors now forced the Kirks into their own territory and obtained a corner, which proved abortive. Timoney kicked away, and Fernell was soon troubled again, but he sent the bald away. The game became very fast, and the visitors obtained another corner, but the home defence defended their citadel well, and H. P. Wiltshire was soon at the other end with the sphere, but Fernell saved a most difficult shot in a remarkable manner. Shot after shot were now sent in by the home side, but they could not manage to score. The visitors tried exceedingly hard to equalise, and at times made some clever runs, but Timoney and Critten were very safe. Both teams tried haial to add to their score, but when the whistle blew for half-time it was — Kirkley Resuming the visitors at once forced away, but the ball rolled wide. They continued to press, and put plenty of dash into their play, and Chamberlain received an oblique shot, which he disposed of, but shortly afterwards a corner was obtained, but kicked wide. Hands against Hodsoll as he was running away sent the ball near Chamberlain again, but ultimately it was sent behind. The homesters made strenuous efforts to get through, but the defence of the visitors proved perfect. P. Wiltshire tackled well and attended well to the forward line, but they could not pierce the defence of the visitors. Pope ran down, and his efforts were rewarded by Kirkley obtaining a corner, but the visitors' backs sent it away. Kirkley again got down, and Fernell received two splendid shots from Hodson, but he kept his quarters intact. Shortly afterwards H. P. Wiltshire put in a shot which grazed the crossbar and went behind. The visitors could not get through, and Chignell returned the ball and Whyard forced a corner, which resulted in a very exciting contest in the mouth of goal, but eventually it rolled behind. A foul against Critten gave the visitors a chance, but a bad centre was put in and the leather was kicked wide. Kirkley again returned to attack, and a low shot by P. Wiltshire missed the net by a few inches. Another corner fell to the Kirks, but they could not get the ball into the net. Nothing more had been added when the whistle blew for the final, the score standing— Kirkley 1 – Ironworks 0
Kirkley:
Chamberlain, Critten, Timoney, Howlett, Wiltshire P., Chignell, Hodsoll B., Hodsoll G., Wiltshire H., Pope, Whyard
NOVOCASTRIANS : Friendly
Browning Road
? - ?
24 April 1897
Line-up Unknown
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Other Matches
Forest Gate Alliance Division 2
PLASHET EXCELSIOR v. LEYTONSTONE WESLEY
Browning Road
? - ?
24 April 1897
PLASHET EXCELSIOR
Woodruff, Joblin, Green, Beck, Rogers, Attwell, Mably, Schutz, Baily, Humpherson, Chapman
LEYTONSTONE WESLEY
Day, Orridge, Tyler, Holmes, Brown, Jones, Adams, Treble, Horn, Kerridge, Hone