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WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
1908-09 Southern League (Division One)
Manager : Syd King
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In need of new players, the club signed three forwards: David Waggott, Walter Miller and right-winger Herbert Ashton. To bolster the defence they bought full-back Frederick Shreeve and half-back William Yenson. The Hammers made an excellent start after beating current Southern League champions Queens Park Rangers 2–0 at the Boleyn. Jack Foster scored one of the goals and he scored again at Brighton in a 3–2 defeat. Luton Town were beaten 4–0 at home, with another two goals from Foster. He was certainly the man in form as Portsmouth came to the Boleyn and were defeated 3–1, with Foster claiming a hat-trick. It was the same old story again as the Hammers were winning their home games but losing away. They were leading 3–1 at half-time at Norwich but finished up losing 6–3. By Christmas the away record was one draw and nine defeats, so it was crucial to keep winning at home. On Christmas Day a goal from Fred Blackburn ensured a 1–0 home win over Southampton, but on Boxing Day, before a crowd of 20,000 at Leyton, the team slumped again and lost 1–0. It was back to the Boleyn for the visit of Plymouth Argyle, which saw Danny Shea score all four goals in the 4–0 victory.
The FA Cup began with a trip to Queens Park Rangers where the teams drew 0–0, with the Hammers winning the replay 1–0 courtesy of a goal from Shea. The next round brought another away tie at Leeds City. This was drawn 1–1 and in the replay it was inevitably with Shea once again on the scoresheet with two goals in a 2–1 win. In the third round it was First Division Newcastle United who travelled to London. It was a hard-fought game that ended goalless, with the replay being played before an attendance of 36,500. Despite another goal from the West Ham marksman, West Ham were beaten 2–1.
In between the cup games there had been four away defeats, with the Hammers losing 4–1 at Portsmouth and suffering a 6–0 defeat at Northampton. Luckily the home form continued, with Shea scoring a hat-trick against Swindon in a 4–2 win. This was followed up with two more home wins against Southend (4–0) and Exeter City (4–1). The season ended with two more away defeats at Reading and Exeter, which gave a final placing of seventeenth. The difference between the home and away results was remarkable. In away games there were 3 draws and 17 defeats from the 20 games played, while at home there had been 16 victories with only 3 lost.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Blackburn, Foster)
1 September 1908
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Jarvis
HERBERT ASHTON
JAMES DYER
JACK FOSTER
JOHN BURTON
Blackburn
Both sides were well represented. An interesting game that proved very even. A strong gusty wind affected the play Kitchen saved an early effort from drake. The Hammers goalie was playing his first senior game since being injured in the Newcastle Cup-tie the previous February. The home side gradually got better and Blackburn had a chance that Shaw saved smartly.
Fouls were frequent but nothing came of the free kicks. The shooting was usually wide but the wind was having a hand in this. Much of the play took place in the visitors goalmouth and Shaw had plenty to do up to half time when the score was 0-0.
The wind dropped considerably in the second half. Foster took the ball down-field and fairly beating Shaw put Irons 1-0 in the lead. Duff put in some good work for Queens Park Rangers but the home side were getting it together now. Guilt frustrated a good try by McDonald enabling Kitchen to clear, then Blackburn taking the ball from Foster got a second goal for West Ham. Near the end the light got worse but neither side managed to add to the goals scored.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
2 - 3 Burton, Foster)
5 September 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Dyer
Foster
Burton
Blackburn
Brighton gained a well deserved victory over West Ham in the presence of almost 6,000 spectators by 3 goals to 2.
After 10 minutes Brighton went ahead through Hall but goals by Burton and Foster gave West Ham the lead for the Londoners. Just before the interval Brighton gained a penalty through Taylor handling and Morris netted but the kick had to be taken again owing to an Albion player encroaching. This time Kitchen saved at the expense of a corner which lead up to a scrimmage in the goalmouth. In this Longstaff was finally brought down and there was a second penalty within a couple of minutes and this time Morris made no mistake. The game restarted with the scores level but the home side had the best of the second half and Longstaff got their winning goal
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
0 - 1
12 September 1908
Att: 10,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Jarvis
Frost
Shea
Foster
DAVID WAGGOTT
Blackburn
REPORT:
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BENTFORD
Griffin Park
0 - 1
19 September 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
PATRICK TIRRELL
Piercy
Young
Frost
Shea
Yenson
Dyer
Blackburn
Brentford broke their sequence of ill fortune when they beat West Ham at Griffin Park by a goad to none. The home side had a reorganised forward line, and with the exception of Glen who was too slow to be of much use, every man played well. McCulloch’s shooting was a feature of an interesting game, while the home backs put up a great defence. West Ham played poorly, and only Kitchen and Taylor did anything worthy of their reputation, there were 6000 spectators present.
As soon as the ball was set in motion Nicholson made tracks for the opposite end, and, Ryalls gave Kitchen a hard shot to deal with. McCulloch followed suit, and until the half-time whistle sounded Brentford were the aggressors. The West Ham half backs could not hold them at all, and had it not been for Taylor and Kitchen, the locals would have run up a big score. The players named put up a sterling defence, and time after time the backs nipped in and took the ball from the toe of Nicholson or McCulloch. Attempts to set their own forwards in motion were generally checked by the home half backs, of whom Badger was the shining light, and all the visitors could do was just to keep Brentford at bay. A half time there was a blank score sheet, a state of things that was certainly flattering to West Ham. At length Nicolson gave McCulloch a lovely pass, and the latter beat the visiting custodian with a grand shot, and so won the match. There was something radically wrong with West Ham. Their inside forwards were weak, and the half backs were not good.
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LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Foster 2, Ashton, Piercy)
26 September 1908
Att: 3,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Yenson
Piercy
Tirrell
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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WATFORD
Cassio Road
1 - 2 (Shea)
30 September 1908
Att: 3,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Yenson
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Burton
Blackburn
There was considerable interest in the reappearance of Foster at centre-forward for the visitors. Foster was formerly with the Herts club before moving to Sunderland then to West Ham.
It was a warm afternoon and there was a fair attendance. Both sides forced corners in the opening minutes and one West Ham defender almost put through but Kitchen just managed to tip over. Kitchen also held a fine drive from Kelly. Hammers got going up the right wing and after 15 minutes he got in a shot that Biggar stopped but couldn't hold and the ball dropped over the line for a goal.
For a time the visitors dominated. Watford improved and McKinley headed an equaliser from an acute angle. Then Kelly shot narrowly over. Half-time 1-1.
Watford gained the lead when McLaine scored from a free-kick. West Ham fought fiercely to regain the initiative and forced six corners but failed to save a point.
The visitors attack failed at critical moments but Biggar a former Hammers custodian had a fine game in the home goal.
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SWINDON TOWN
County Ground
0 - 3
3 October 1908
Att: 6,000e
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Gault
Yenson
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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PORTSMOUTH
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Foster 3)
10 October 1908
Att: 8,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Tirrell
Piercy
Jarvis
HENRY EASTWOOD
Shea
Foster
Brown
Blackburn
REPORT:
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DULWICH HAMLET : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
3 - 3 (Shea 2, Brown)
15 October 1908
Att: 2,000
Clark
Yenson
Harwood
Tirrell
Piercy
Jarvis
Lee
Shea
Miller
Brown
Blackburn
Dulwich were 2-0 ahead in 20 minutes but they ran out of steam. Vasey scored after 10 minutes from a delightful pass from Evans. In the 20th minute Vasey again scored after Clark had only partially cleared a shot from Brennan. Brown reduced the difference when a shot by Shea came back off the goalkeeper.
Yellwell the Hamlet right-half had to leave the field through injury and while he was gone Shea equalised. Vasey completed his hat-trick when he chased a long ball through the West Ham defence. The amateurs were now in the lead but a tragic miskick by Knight allowed Shea to shoulder charge the Dulwich 'keeper and the ball went over the line to save the day for the Hammers.
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Park Royal Ground
0 - 3
17 October 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Tirrell
Young
Jarvis
Eastwood
Shea
WALTER MILLER
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Shreeve [pen], Tirrell)
24 October 1908
Att: 9,000
Kitchen
FREDERICK SHREEVE
Taylor A.
Tirrell
Piercy
Jarvis
Eastwood
Grassam
Foster
Shea
Blackburn
It was their best performance the season when West Ham beat Northampton by the odd goal in three. The visit of the Cobblers was a great draw, and there were about 10,000 present to see the home side win. Northampton were at full strength, while the Hammers had a strong side out. Grassam was at inside-right, and this necessitated Shea crossing over to act as partner to Blackburn. After Kitchen had brought off couple of good saves, Northampton were lucky when Davies just got in the road shot from Shea. The visitors retaliated, and McDiarmid gave Lewis an opening, and the old Coventry City player beat Kitchen with high swerver. Northampton for a time had the better of the play, but at last West Ham broke away and were granted a free kick Just outside the penalty area. Piercy took the kick, and the ball came across to Tirrell, who equalised with a good drive. Thus at the interval the score was 1-1. The winning goal came soon alter the restart. Brittan being adjudged to have intentionally handled in the penalty area. Shreeve took the kick, and easily beat Cooch. Just on time Foster missed an easy chance following shot of Eastwood’s.
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NEW BROMPTON
Priestfield Stadium
1 - 2 (Miller)
31 October 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Tirrell
Piercy
Young
Eastwood
Randall
Miller
Shea
Blackburn
West Ham United lost both the points at New Brompton, the latter winning the odd goal in three. Miller put West Ham ahead in their very first attack. Shreeve injured and twice let the field as the visitors took the lead at the interval, but within two minutes the play being resumed New Brompton scored twice. The sudden change caused great deal of excitement, for in the first hall the home side had given very moderate display, the combination being weak and their shooting very erratic. After the change of ends they carried all before them. Kitchen and Taylor stood at the goal mouth repelling shot after shot. Finally Whyman struck the crossbar, and on the ball descending Taylor turned it into his own goal. No sooner had the ball been started again than Pickett ran through and scored with a shot the custodian had no chance stopping. Miller scored for West Ham from a pass by Randall five minutes from the start. The visitors had the misfortune to have Shreeve hurt twice in the first half, and for a time he had to retire. The United rearranged their team after the interval, Shreeve playing out-side left and Young going from half to full back. The play was rough throughout, the services of the trainers having to requisitioned several times to attend to players on the ground.
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DULWICH HAMLET : London Challenge (First Rd Replay)
Champion Hill
6 - 0 (Foster 3, Miller 2, Ashton)
5 November 1908
Att: 4,000
Clark
Taylor
Gault
Jarvis
Piercy
Young
Blackburn
Miller
Foster
Randall
Ashton
REPORT:
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MILLWALL ATHLETIC
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Foster)
7 November 1908
Att: 14,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Eastwood
Randall
Foster
Grassam
Blackburn
REPORT:
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SOUTHEND UNITED
Roots Hall
0 - 0
14 November 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Randall
Blackburn
REPORT:
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COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Foster, Randall)
21 November 1908
Att: 6,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Randall
Blackburn
REPORT:
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BRISTOL ROVERS
Eastville
0 - 1
28 November 1908
Att: 8,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Grassam
Blackburn
REPORT:
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : London Challenge Second Round)
Upton Park
0 - 2
30 November 1908
Att: 3,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Shea
Foster
Grassam
Blackburn
Fog threatened to stop this game at any time. Middlemiss made a nice run and centre but Taylor dashing across to intercept only miskicked and sent the ball straight to Steel and he made no mistake.
Shortly after Randall missed a glorious chance to level the scores; Half time 0-1.
Four minutes from time and with the light very bad Walton sent in a long shot which beat Kitchen for Spurs second goal.
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PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
0 - 2
5 December 1908
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Grassam
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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NORWICH CITY
The Nest
3 - 6 (Burton 2, Grassam
12 December 1908
Att: 4,500
Kitchen
Gault
Shreeve
Young
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Grassam
Foster
Burton
Blackburn
In an early attack Reynolds boot came into contact with Youngs head. The visiting half-back had to leave the field and while he was away Smith was brought down and Allsop scored from the penalty spot. Burton soon put West Ham on terms and Young returned to see the same player put Hammers ahead.
The pitch had a treacherous area at the bottom of the slope which Norwich were defending. This was caused by the heavy rain of the days' previous and was causing the home defenders no end of problems. Foster should have incresed West Ham's lead but continued pressure was rewarded by a further goal when Grassam scored. The home goal had more narrow escapes up to the interval just before which Kitchen made his first svae of the match.
In the second half Norwich re-arranged their side. This and the fact that they were now kicking down the slope and into the goal with the 'sticky' approach brought a transformation to the game. It was now West Ham's backs that made frequent mistakes on the heavy ground and City's attackers capitalised to the tune of 5 goals in 36 minutes.
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READING
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Blackburn, Grassam)
19 December 1908
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Harwood
Allison
Piercy
Jarvis
Ashton
Grassam
Shea
Burton
Blackburn
Grassam put West Ham ahead late in the first half after Shea had sent in a fierce shot. During a determined raid in which all the Hammers forwards took part. Blackburn increased the lead.
Reading got back into the game when Wheatcroft reduced the home lead. As the end approached Readinf stepped up their efforts to save the game and Kitchen was kept very busy. Wilkes had to leave the field injured 5 minutes from time but still Reading held the upper hand and Wheatcroft was dreadfully unlucky when he hit a post with Kitchen yards out of his goal.
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SOUTHAMPTON
Upton park
1 - 0 (Blackburn)
25 December 1908
Att: 15,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Yenson
GEORGE CHALKLEY
Jarvis
Eastwood
Grassam
Shea
Burton
Blackburn
West Ham were below strength and fully deserved their victory. Eastwood the Clapton amateur played in place of Ashton. Taylor reappeared at right-back despite still suffering a knee injury. He played a sound game.
The visitors were handicapped when Thorpe had to be carried off the field. Eastwood was prominent early on and one of his centres bounced on the crossbar. Shea also showed up well and he put in one brilliant shot that gave Lock the Saints goalkeeper considerable trouble.
During one West Ham raid Eastwood headed out from under the bar, then Grassam missed a good chance.
At the other end Taylor stopped one on the line with Kitchen beaten. In the 35th minute a beautiful movement in which all the West Ham forwards took part ended with Blackburn scoring a wonderful goal, and this proved to be the decider.
Costello hit an upright in retaliation but it was mostly all West Ham. Thorpe's injury in the 70th minute made things still more difficult for Southampton and only sterling work by Lock, Eastham and Robertson kept Hammers out
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LEYTON
Hare & Hounds
0 - 1
26 December 1908
Att: 20,000
Kitchen
Taylor A.
Harwood
Yenson
Chalkley
Jarvis
Ashton
Grassam
Shea
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Shea 4)
28 December 1908
Att: 10,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Foster
Waggott
Blackburn
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Waggott)
2 January 1909
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Gault
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Foster
Waggott
Blackburn
REPORT:
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace
2 - 2 (Shea 2)
9 January 1909
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Harwood
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Waggott
Blackburn
REPORT:
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS : FA Cup (Third Round)
Park Royal Ground
0 - 0
16 January 1909
Att: 17,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS : FA Cup (Third Round Replay)
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Shea)
20 January 1909
Att: 11,400
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Waggott
Blackburn
REPORT:
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BRENTFORD
Upton park
3 - 0 (Frost, Miller, Waggott)
23 January 1909
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Waggott
Blackburn
REPORT:
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LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
0 - 1
30 January 1909
Att: 3,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Waggott
Blackburn
Shea missed an easy chance early on when he only had to walk it in. There were many other missed chances by both sides. Menzie got the only goal of the game for Luton. In one exciting spell Brown skimmed the West Ham bar when Kitchen tipped over a shot from the same player. Just before the end Brown hit the bar and the ball came out to Johnson whose shot hit the underside of the bar and came out to Stanfield whose long dropping lob bounced on top of the bar.
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LEEDS CITY : FA Cup (Second Round)
Elland Road
1 - 1 (Miller)
6 February 1909
Att: 311,500
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
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The ground was heavy after the thaw and rain. Leeds top scorer McLeod was left out due to a knee injury. Joyner was a weak substitute and the locals thought his inclusion was the difference between winning and losing the tie,
After being fortunate to survive two games versus Queens Park Rangers the luck this time was with the Hammers opponents. The Londoners dominated the first half and were clearly superior. Taking the lead when a long cross from Blackburn was headed in by Miller on the half hour. Hammers held the lead until the 87th minute when Burnett equalised.
In between times Leeds had got back into the game, reversing the trend of the first half by taking control in the second. When Shreeve conceded a penalty for handling, Gemmell's shot struck the bar. After this, Hammers defended desperately and looked as if they might succeed. Near the end the Londoners broke away and Miller forced Naisby into a brilliant one-handed save. The ball went back to Kitchen's end and a moved started by Watson ended with Burnett equalising amid tremendous enthusiasm.
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LEEDS CITY : FA Cup (Second Round Replay)
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Shea 2)
11 February 1909
Att: 13,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Chalkley
Tirrell
Frost
Shea
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
From the start both sides reverted to discreditable methods. The referee was constantly penalizing somebody for shady tricks and if Leeds were the biggest offenders Hammers were not altogether innocent. The visitors relied on defence, which proved their undoing, and kicking to touch was flagrant and frequent. They might have won had they adopted different tactics.
Leeds won the toss and forced the home side to face a very strong cold wind. After a couple of minutes Leeds surprisingly went ahead. McAlister passed the ball out to Guy who centre was collected by Bowman. He advanced a few yards then shot the ball wide of Kitchen into the West Ham net.
This sudden reverse seemed to demoralize the Hammers. The attack shrank from the vigorous tackling of the Leaguers defenders. Shea and Miller both shot hurriedly wide when anticipating a heavy tackle.
At the other end Tirrell barged Guy off the ball when he had only Kitchen to beat. Taylor badly miskicked near his own goal but Leeds had nobody forward to capitalize. Shortly before half time. Shea got the ball passed Naisby into the Leeds net but he was judged offside. Leeds still led at the break 1-0.
In the second period Chalkley who had been very weak at centre-half went onto the wing. Yenson took over the job and the home side began to exert some pressure on the visitors. The Northerners crowded their goal but it was a fatal tactic for Bowman who should have been more forward fouled Shreeve near the Leeds goal.
Blackburn's free kick shot across the face of the goal and Shea was on hand to guide it in, amid great excitement. This put fresh life into the game which Leeds appeared to have well won a few minutes before. When 90 minutes arrived the score was still 1-1. The first period of extra time provided Leeds with two simple chances of taking the tie, but both were missed by Guy and Burnett. In the gathering gloom a tremendously energetic Danny Shea got his head to a fine centre by Blackburn and gave Hammers the verdict by scoring a grand goal.
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PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
1 - 4 (Miller)
13 February 1909
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Jarvis
Tirrell
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Waggott
Blackburn
The match was Portsmouth's Buicks Benefit. He had been captain of Pompey for 6 seasons. Unfortunatly the weather wasn't too good and the attendance and takings fell short of the guaranteed £300 promised by the Portsmouth directors.
Two goals in the first 15 minutes, one to each side by Reid and Miller started the scoring.
Before half time Portsmouth had two more.
First Dix had a shot only partly stopped by Kitchen and Birtles was on hand to make it 2-1. Then 4 minutes later Reid avoided a challenge by Jarvis and extended the difference. Shea and Waggott were the best of the Hammers forwards. Kirby got Portsmouth's fourth goal near the end.
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NEWCASTLE UNITED : FA Cup (Third Round)
Upton Park
0 - 0
20 February 1909
Att: 17,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Jarvis
Yenson
Bourne
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Grassam
Blackburn
Admission charges increased for this Cup-tie, Receipt's £1,500The Newcastle eleven included five current internationals. Plus Shepherd not yet capped as a Newcastle player but having won a cap as a Bolton Wanderer.
This was a formidable combination by any standards but Hammers ought to have won the match. The Northerners were unable to get out of second gear throughout. Their defenders were slow and the attackers inept apart from one clever piece of work by Rutherford who got neatly round two home defenders but was unable to capitalize.
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NEWCASTLE UNITED : FA Cup (Third Round Replay)
St James' Park
1 - 2 (Shea)
24 February 1909
Att: 36,500
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Jarvis
Yenson
Bourne
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
West Ham gave another startling exhibition of determined if not brilliant football and proved themselves the sternest stuff Newcastle have met in competitions this season.
The home sides superiority was pronounced in the first half but they lacked shooting power. Kitchen was kept quite busy and often saved the situation whereas Lawrence was rarely troubled. Shea got in the first shot but it went wide. Jarvis pushed Wilson in the box thereby giving Newcastle a great chance to go ahead but Veitch made a hash of his shot.
At half time Hammers were still level at 0-0. The visitors gradually got their game going and for most of the latter period were the equal of their illustrious opposition.
Newcastle began to deteriorate as West Ham improved but a lapse by Shreeve who 'handled' in the box gave Newcastle another chance. This time Shepherd put them ahead. Within a few minutes West Ham were level when Shea popped one in following a period of pressure around Lawrences' goal. The game continued to be evenly balanced but just 8 minutes to go Anderson got through to hit the winner for the League side.
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NORTHAMPTON TOWN
County Ground
0 - 6
27 February 1909
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Gault
Harwood
Jarvis
Yenson
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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NEW BROMPTON
Upton Park
0 - 1
6 March 1909
Att: 3,000
Dawson
STANLEY BOURNE
Taylor A.
Jarvis
Yenson
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Miller
FRANK COSTELLO
Blackburn
Kitchen and Clark, Hammewrs first choice goalkeepers both indisposed. Whyman got the only goal in the 15th minute following a terrible miskick by Bourne. No interval taken, teams changed ends on the field. Torrential rain reduced the field to a quagmire in the second half. West Ham were unfortunate to lose and dropped to third from bottom of the League.
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SWINDON TOWN
Upton Park
4 - 2 (Shea 3, [2 pens], Costello)
8 March 1909
Att: 4,000
Dawson
Piercy
Taylor A.
Jarvis
Yenson
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Burton
Costello
Blackburn
The sun shone brightly and was a welcome change from the recent heavy snow.
Fleming gave Swindon the lead, then Pirecy gave away a penalty and Tout increased the lead. West Ham were also awarded a penalty when Costello was brought down by Marshall. Shea converted.
Before half time Hammers equalised when Shea was brought down as he hared for goal. It was Shea's second penalty of the game.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Costello provided Shea with a chance and the youngster completed his hat-trick.
Shea returned Costello's compliment when he gave the ex=Saint a chance which he scored from.
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MILLWALL ATHLETIC
North Greenwich
0 - 3
13 March 1909
Att: 9,000
Dawson
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Jarvis
Yenson
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Costello
Burton
Blackburn
REPORT:
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SOUTHEND UNITED
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Atkins, Costello, Piercy, Shea)
20 March 1909
Att: 9,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
C. ATKINS
Costello
Blackburn
No information was forthcoming on the name of the mystery centre-forward of West Ham, other than that he came from Birmingham and he was an amateur. He figured on the official programme as "A. Centre".Costello gave the home side the lead with a shot that went in off a post.
After 35 minutes an Ashton corner found Piercy's head and he made it 2-0.
Next, Shea sent in a shot that Cotton only partially cleared and "A. Centre" dashed up to tap in for 3-0 just on half time.
In the second period Axcell fouled Costello in the box. The penalty was wasted by Shea who shot wildly over the bar. He redeemed himself later when he made it 4-0 after Randall had headed on a Blackburn cross.
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COVENTRY CITY
Highfield Road
1 - 3 (Shea)
27 March 1909
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Atkins
Costello
Blackburn
REPORT:
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EXETER CITY
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Blackburn 2, Miller 2)
1 April 1909
Att: 4,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Allison
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Costello
Blackburn
The visitors were placed 3rd in the Southern League at the time of this match.
Kitchen played a big part in this win, Blackburn put the home side ahead in the 25th minute from a Shea pass.
Three minutes later Miller doubled the lead from an Ashton cross. Mcguigan reduced the deficit following a mistake by Taylor. Blackburn made it 3-1 at half time when his shot was deflected past Robinson.
Fifteen minutes from the end Costello provided Miller with a chance he couldn't miss and he didn't, for 4-1
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BRISTOL ROVERS
Upton park
0 - 2
3 April 1909
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Allison
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Miller
Costello
Blackburn
REPORT:
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LEYTON
Upton Park
1 - 0 Webb)
9 April 1909
Att: 13,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Allison
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
GEORGE WEBB
Costello
Blackburn
REPORT:
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WATFORD
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Shea 2, Costello)
10 April 1909
Att: 7,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Allison
Yenson
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Webb
Costello
Blackburn
West Ham went ahead five minutes before half time when Shea scored, Webb came through for the Hammers and as Biggar advanced and missed the ball Shea was on hand to steer it in. The referee dismissed the visitors appeals for hands against Shea. Shortly afterwards Hubbard scored but was adjudged offside much to his disgust. It was the second marginal offside decision against Watford in this match, a McLaine effort had been disallowed earlier. Five minutes after half time Watford equalised, McLaine dashing right through the home defence. Shea restored West Ham's lead when Biggar missed a centre. 10 minutes from time Blackburn, Shea and Webb combined to draw Biggar from his goal and Costello made it 3-1.
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SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
2 - 2 (Shea, Webb)
12 April 1909
Att: 7,500
Kitchen
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Webb
Costello
Blackburn
Shea dribbled through and Burrows had to save brilliantly West Ham continued to press and the home defence was hard pushed. The visitors were always dangerous. Saints hardly attacked, but once they nearly rushed Kitchen's charge from a corner. Burrow's frustrated all the Hammers attempts to score that always looked threatening and a minute from half time Shea put them ahead.
The West Ham score was increased early in the second half when Webb went through unchallenged and beat Burrows who had stayed on his line.
Saints looked like going to pieces after this and would have done had Webb converted into an open goal following a faulty goal kick, but he was charged as he shot and his kick went wide.
Taking heart from this escape the home side put new energy into their game and when Bainbridge put across a good centre after beating Taylor, Jeffries was charged over by Kitchen when about to shoot. The ball however came out to Hughes who reduced the difference. The crowd hailed the goal with great cheering. Encouraged by this the Saints pressed for the equaliser. Twelve minutes from the end the Hammers defence was caught napping and Hughes got the ball out of a tangle and scored with a well directed shot. The home side went hard for the winner and just as the whistle blew for time, Hodgkinson was bowled over in the West Ham penalty area.
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NORWICH CITY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Blackburn, Shea)
17 April 1909
Att: 5,000
Kitchen
Shreeve
Bourne
Yenson
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Shea
Webb
Costello
Blackburn
Two Norwich players Craig, formerly of West Ham and Reynolds were involved in a heavy collision in the first 10 minutes. Both had to leave the field in turn for stitches.
Just before half time, Smith was kicked in th e back of the leg and retired for good and then French one of the visiting half-backs went lame.
The Norwich goal was very soft. Kitchen strolled out of his goal to pass a word to Shreeve and Bourne. At that moment Porter got away for the visitors but the West Ham backs appeared to clear. Thinking the incident had passed Kitchen ambled back to his goal but the ball passed him on the way. Coxhead was the scorer.
Hammers however, were already two goals ahead through Blackburn and Shea.
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EXETER CITY
St James' Park
21 April 1909
Att: 7,000
Dawson
Shreeve
Taylor A.
Yenson
Piercy
Randall
Ashton
Burton
Shea
Costello
Blackburn
REPORT:
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READING
Elm Park
0 - 1
24 April 1909
Att: 2,500
Kitchen
Shreeve
Bourne
Yenson
Jarvis
Tirrell
Ashton
Shea
Waggott
Brown
Blackburn
REPORT: