WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
1902-03 London League (Premier Division)
WOOLWICH ARSENAL
Memorial Grounds
1 - 3 (Campbell)
1 September 1902
Att: 4,000
Biggar
Eccles
Dow
Bigden
McAteer
Blythe
Campbell
Grassam
Farrell
Barnes
Linward
McEachrane was now wearing the colours of Arsenal and this was his first game. Campbell put the Hammers ahead but Connor equalised. Arsenal went 2-1 ahead then Connor grabbed his second of the match to make the final count 3-1 to Woolwich Arsenal.
BRENTFORD
Memorial Grounds
3 - 0 (Barnes, Farrell [pen], McAteer)
15 September 1902
Att: 2,000
Biggar
Eccles
King
Bigden
McAteer
Kelly
Campbell
Grassam
Farrell
Barnes
Linward
Our
MILLWALL ATHLETIC
North Greenwich
0 - 1
6 October 1902
Att: 3,000
Griffiths
King
Eccles
Bigden
McAteer
Blythe
Allan
Grassam
Sugden
Farrell
Barnes
ABANDONED: 15 minutes Fog
The game against Millwall Athletic was originally a London League fixture which was abandoned after 15 minutes play due to fog, the fog subsequently cleared and a friendly took place of 30 minutes each half
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Memorial Grounds
0 - 0
20 October 1902
Att: 4,000
Griffiths
Dow
Eccles
Bigden
McAteer
Blythe
Campbell
Grassam
Sugden
Barnes
Linward
There was not a great deal to choose between the teams, but Tottenham were undoubtedly handicapped by the fact of both Hughes and McNaught being on the injured list at the same time. The forwards on both sides lacked finishing power and were too easily bustled at close quarters. A feature of the play was the clever and safe fisting of the two keepers. Griffiths played with a coolness and resource that made him out to be a much safer man than when he assisted the 'Spurs last season. The full-back play all round was of a dashing order. Tait greatly distinguishing himself during the second half, when he tackled well and kicked with marked precision.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Kensal Rise Athletic Ground
2 - 0 (Farrell 2)
17 November 1902
Att: 1,500
Biggar
King
Eccles
Bigden
Kelly
Blythe
Campbell
Grassam
Farrell
Barnes
Linward
West Ham had the wind behind them in the first half, when they did the bulk of the pressing. Farrell opened the scoring after ten minutes' play after which Colvin gave Biggar some trouble at the other end. Farrell missed for the visitors with practically nothing to beat, and at half-time West Ham were one goal to the good. So persistently did the Rangers press after change of ends that a score seemed certain. Their shooting was faulty, however, while the backs hung too far up field with the result that Grassam and Farrell broke away and the latteer put West Ham further ahead. The play after this was keen and even, but the referee's whistle was continually blowing, and one or two players were admonished. No further scoring occurred and West Ham won by two goals to love.
MILLWALL ATHLETIC
North Greenwich
2 - 2 (Barnes, Linward)
29 November 1902
Att: ?
Griffiths
King
Fair
Bigden
McAteer
Kelly
Allan
Grassam
Farrell
Barnes
Linward
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
0 - 4
15 December 1902
Att: 3,000
Biggar
Dow
Yenson
Allan
McAteer
Blythe
Bush
Grassam
Farrell
Linward
Campbell
REPORT:
MILLWALL ATHLETIC
Memorial Grounds
2 - 2 (Campbell [pen], Davidson)
5 January 1902
Att: ?
Griffiths
Yenson
Eccles
Kelly
McAteer
Blythe
Campbell
Bush
Davidson
Wallace
Barnes
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Memorial Grounds
1 - 0 (Davidson)
26 January 1902
Att: 1,000
Griffiths
Dow
McAteer
Bigden
Yenson
Kelly
Allan
Grassam
Davidson
Wallace
Barnes
The wind spoiled what promised to be an interesting game. The Rangers had the best of the play during the first half, but owing to poor shooting could not score. At half-time no goals had been scored, but less than five minutes after the resumption Davisdson scored for the Hammers with a fast, low shot. Nothing more was scored, and West Ham United won by a goal to nil.
BRENTFORD
Griffin Park
3 - 2 (Campbell 2 [1 pen], Kelly)
2 February 1902
Att: ?
Griffiths
King
Dow
Yenson
Kelly
Blythe
Allan
Grassam
Davidson
Wallace
Campbell
Brentford were defeated by three goals to two. As the play went they were extremely unlucky to lose, but it is impossible on that account to make any excuse for the behaviour of a number of the spectators, who displayed their hostility towards the referee in a very marked and offensive fashion. The first goal in the match was scored by Campbell for the visitors about twenty-five minutes from the start from a free kick, the ball glancing off Gilson into the net, and just afterwards Campbell added a second point from a penalty after Nidd and Allan collided. Close on the interval Maher obtained a goal for Brentford and immediately on the game being resumed Underwood made the score level. Thence-forward Brentford had nearly all the play, and had fortune been at all kind to them they might have added several points to their score, the West Ham goal having many exceedingly narrow escapes. As it happened, however, they met with no further success, and about ten minutes from the finish West Ham breaking away Kelly, from a free kick, sent the ball into the net.
WOOLWICH ARSENAL
Manor Ground
1 - 0 (Grassam)
21 February 1903
Att: 6,000
Griffiths
Fair
Eccles
Bigden
Yenson
Blythe
Grassam
Bush
Sugden S.H.
Wallace
Barnes
The match was originally scheduled to take place on 1 April, , but English Cup disappointments left both clubs with a vacant date, and so the breach was filled by bringing the match forward.
The only goal was scored by Grassam following a bad clearance by Jackson.