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WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1914-15 Southern League (Division One)
Manager : Syd King
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Before the season kicked off in September World War One had already broken out, but the Southern League, along with the Football League, decided to continue with their fixtures. New players were goalkeeper Joe Webster, full-backs Bill Cope and George Speak, and Alf Fenwick, a forward. In the first two home games Syd Puddefoot scored twice in victories against Gillingham and Luton Town but away from home it was the same story with three successive defeats. There were home draws against Swindon and Queens Park Rangers and the away form improved with victories at Southend, Croydon Common and Watford. Inside-forward Alf Leafe scored in five successive games to bring his total to seven. Due to the war there were many restrictions, and attendances were poor. On Boxing Day Brighton were beaten 2–1 at home, with Puddefoot scoring twice. He went one better a few days later when scoring a hat-trick against Exeter City in a 4–1 victory at the Boleyn.
The FA Cup brought an exciting clash with Newcastle United which saw Alf Leafe score twice in a 2–2 home draw. Alf scored again in the replay but the Geordies progressed by winning 3–2 before 28,130 fans. Portsmouth and Southend were beaten at home and following the 1–1 draw with Millwall the team were undefeated in nine games and up to second in the league. However, despite home wins against Cardiff City and Watford, there were three away defeats which left the team in fourth place as the season ended.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
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GILLINGHAM
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Puddefoot 2)
1 September 1914
Att: 5,000
JOSEPH WEBSTER
WILLIAM COPE
GEORGE SPEAK
ALFRED FENWICK
Askew
Randall
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
PERCY WRIGHT
The kick-off was far too late - it was dusk when the game ended. Hammers had most of the play and lasted better. West Ham pressed early on and a chance fell to Randall but he mis-kicked. Then in quick succession Leafe almost headed in and Wright shot wide. Then a Randall effort went inches over. After half an hour Glen gave the visitors the lead but it was against the run of play. Fouls became frequent as the home side penned Gillingham in their own penalty area. Puddefoot eventually gave West Ham their equaliser with a soft goal. Just before half-time a long shot from Speak struck the Gillingham crossbar. Half-time: 1-1. Five minutes into the second period Puddefoot gave West Ham the lead, It proved to be the winning goal.
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EXETER CITY
St James' Park
1 - 3 (Puddefoot)
5 September 1914
Att: 4,000
Webster
Cope
Speak
Fenwick
Askew
Randall
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Wright
Harding the No.2 for Exeter injured his knee after 5 minutes and Strettle the other full-back strained his side later. Puddefoot gave the visitors an early lead from a pass by Ashton. Exeter rallied strongly and equalised through Lovett. The home side gained the initiative and Goodwin put them ahead wit a wonderful hook-shot. Just before the break Lovett put Exeter further in front. The depleted home defence displayed marvellous coolness and resource and easily held the Hammers attack. The visitors didn't play all that badly and ought to improve. Cope and Speak were safe and Webster did some good work between the posts.
THE ESSEX TIMES
Saturday 5 September 1914
WEST HAM UNITED AND THE WAR - CLUB AND PLAYERS SUBSCRIBE
Supporters of West Ham United F.C. and of football generally will learn with satisfaction that the players have decided to subscribe each week towards the Prince of Wales Fund while the War lasts. Besides this the players are taking rifle practice on the Boleyn Social Club Grounds so that they might become efficient riflemen.
On 6th September 1914, Arthur Conan Doyle, appealed for footballers to join the armed forces: "There was a time for all things in the world. There was a time for games, there was a time for business, and there was a time for domestic life. There was a time for everything, but there is only time for one thing now, and that thing is war. If the cricketer had a straight eye let him look along the barrel of a rifle. If a footballer had strength of limb let them serve and march in the field of battle." Some newspapers suggested that those who did not join up were "contributing to a German victory."
Frederick Charrington, the son of the wealthy brewer who had established the Tower Hamlets Mission, attacked the West Ham United players for being effeminate and cowardly for getting paid for playing football while others were fighting on the Western Front. The famous amateur footballer and cricketer, Charles B. Fry, called for the abolition of football, demanding that all professional contracts be annulled and that no one below forty years of age be allowed to attend matches.
West Ham had high hopes that they could win the Southern League for the first time and refused to cancel the contracts of their professional players. In Syd Puddefoot they had the country's most promising young goalscorer. The only significant new signing that year was Joe Webster from Watford.
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GILLINGHAM
Priestfield Stadium
0 - 4
9 September 1914
Att: 2,000
Webster
Cope
Speak
Woodards
Askew
Burton
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Wright
Puddefoot was well shadowed by Lee and never got a good shooting chance. Webster was active saving from Lee and later Pinkney and Tatton. After 25 minutes Glen opened the scoring after good work by Pinkney. Webster dashed from his line but was unable to prevent the breakthrough. West Ham's rear-guard was looking a bit unreliable. At the other end Wright went close with a high drop shot. Lee missed a golden opportunity by heading over with Wbster prone one the ground. A stinging drive from Puddefoot was parried by Bailey and Leslie headed clear. Webster saved magnificently from Gilligan and then Pinkney. Another Pinkney shot struck Hooper as it went goal-wards and was diverted, and then Glen hit a post. In the 80th minute Tatton got passed Woodards and Ashton but was brought down by Askew. A penalty was awarded and Leslie netted. Within two minutes Gills went 3-up when Lee headed past Webster. Then to round matters off a centre from Tatton was headed in by Hooper to record a 4-0 victory to Gillingham.
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LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Puddefoot 2, Hilsdon)
12 September 1914
Att: 5,000
Webster
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Wright
Right from the start West Ham took control. Throughout the first half it was Mitchell versus the West Ham forwards with the goalkeeper holding the winning hand. After the break he was not so fortunate. In the 10th minute of the second period, Puddefoot opened the scoring from close in. Five minutes later the same player made it 2-0. The third West Ham goal was headed in by Hilsdon from an Ashton cross. Following the defeats at Gillingham and Exeter, Hammers made changes.
Woodards was dropped and Randall was out resting a strain. Whiteman deputising for Woodards played particularly well supplying Ashton and Bailey with a good service. Fenwick in place of Randall played surprisingly well and not at all defensive and strives to be a 6th forward. Cope and speak were a bit suspect and are certainly the weak link in the side. Ashton, Bailey and Puddefoot had a marvellous nderstanding but Hilsdon only had an average game.
Webster had little to do, he attended to half a dozen shots throughout, quite a change from his recent experiences at Exeter and Gillingham.
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PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
1 - 3 (Hilsdon)
19 September 1914
Att: 7,000
Webster
Brandon
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Wright
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_65d5c99d8b2f4041b4f09a5302d810b1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_285,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_65d5c99d8b2f4041b4f09a5302d810b1~mv2.jpg)
CROYDON COMMON : London Challenge Cup (1st Rd)
Upton Park
5 - 1 (Wright 2, Puddefoot 2, Ashton)
21 September 1914
Att: 2,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Wright
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_72cd6e2630204565b1ee4aa37dee4084~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_285,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_72cd6e2630204565b1ee4aa37dee4084~mv2.jpg)
SWINDON TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Puddefoot)
26 September 1914
Att; 11,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
JAMES CARR
REPORT:
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SOUTHEND UNITED
Roots Hall
1 - 0 (Leafe)
3 October 1914
Att: 5,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Carr
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_e67a966674884c32befe268f7d26f5f4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_305,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_e67a966674884c32befe268f7d26f5f4~mv2.jpg)
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Leafe, Puddefoot)
10 October 1914
Att: 12,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Carr
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_23098391121c4b9aa6ff3e87f79faa6d~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_305,h_406,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_23098391121c4b9aa6ff3e87f79faa6d~mv2.jpg)
MILLWALL ATHLETIC
The Den
1 - 2 (Puddefoot)
17 October 1914
Att: 15,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Tresadern
Ashton
Hilsdon
Puddefoot
Leafe
Carr
REPORT:
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BRENTFORD : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Butcher)
19 October 1914
Att:
Webster
Cope
Burton
Randall
Askew
Tresadern
Ashton
Butcher
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Carr
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_9cad5e2ee7244743a932d446a600b9b6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_294,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_9cad5e2ee7244743a932d446a600b9b6~mv2.jpg)
BRISTOL ROVERS
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Bailey, Burton [pen], Leafe, Wright)
24 October 1914
Att: 10,000
Webster
Cope
Burton
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Wright
REPORT:
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CROYDON COMMON
The Nest
2 - 1 (Bailey, Leafe)
31 October 1914
Att: 5,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Caton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Casey
REPORT:
Black and white photographs of crowd scenes at football matches which were later turned into postcards were prevalent before the outbreak of the First World War. This match has been identified as being taken at The Nest which was the home ground of Croydon Common on the 31st October 1914 with the Hammers winning 2-1.
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West Ham won six of their first 12 games. Syd Puddefoot got nine goals during this period. George Hilsdon and Richard Leafe were also in good form and got 7 between them. Once again West Ham were challenging for the Southern League title.
In October 1914, the Secretary of State, Lord Kitchener, issued a call for volunteers to both replace those killed in the early battles of the First World War. At the beginning of the war the army had strict specifications about who could become soldiers. Men joining the army had to be at least 5ft 6in tall and a chest measurement of 35 inches. However, these specifications were changed in order to get more men to join the armed forces.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_ba77c4ccfe5e4353b8277a897aff806b~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_283,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_ba77c4ccfe5e4353b8277a897aff806b~mv2.jpg)
READING
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Bailey, Leafe, Puddefoot)
7 November 1914
Att: 10,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Casey
REPORT:
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MILLWALL ATHLETIC : London Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)
Stamford Bridge
0 - 1
9 November 1914
Att:
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Wright
REPORT:
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SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
1 - 3 (Leafe)
14 November 1914
Att: 5,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Ashton
Bailey
Puddefoot
Leafe
Casey
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_b3cf9ff6aac34bd8816e249a5f00b745~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_295,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_b3cf9ff6aac34bd8816e249a5f00b745~mv2.jpg)
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Leafe)
21 November 1914
Att: 8,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Randall
Ashton
Butcher
Puddefoot
Leafe
Casey
REPORT:
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WATFORD
Vicarage Road
1 - 0 (Bailey)
28 November 1914
Att: 2,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Randall
Ashton
Butcher
Bailey
Mackesy
Carr
REPORT:
The Bishop of Chelmsford paid a visit in Bethnal Green where he gave a sermon on the need for professional footballers to join the armed services. The Stratford Express reported on 2nd December 1914: " The Bishop, in an address on Duty, spoke of the magnificent response that had been made to the call to duty from the King. All must play their part. They must not let their brothers go to the front and themselves remain indifferent. He felt that the cry against professional football at the present time was right. He could not understand men who had any feeling, any respect for their country, men in the prime of life, taking large salaries at a time like this for kicking a ball about. It seemed to him something incongruous and unworthy".
William Joynson Hicks established the 17th Service (Football) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment on 12th December, 1914. This group became known as the Football Battalion. According to Frederick Wall, the secretary of the Football Association, the England international centre-half, Frank Buckley, was the first person to join the Football Battalion. At first, because of the problems with contracts, only amateur players like Vivian Woodward, and Evelyn Lintott were able to sign-up.
As Frank Buckley had previous experience in the British Army he was given the rank of Lieutenant. He eventually was promoted to the rank of Major. Within a few weeks the 17th Battalion had its full complement of 600 men. However, few of these men were footballers. Most of the recruits were local men who wanted to be in the same battalion as their football heroes. For example, a large number who joined were supporters of Chelsea and Queen's Park Rangers who wanted to serve with Vivian Woodward and Evelyn Lintott.
Under considerable pressure from the Football Association eventually backed down and called for football clubs to release professional footballers who were not married, to join the armed forces. The FA also agreed to work closely with the War Office to encourage football clubs to organize recruiting drives at matches.
The Athletic News responded angrily: "The whole agitation is nothing less than an attempt by the ruling classes to stop the recreation on one day in the week of the masses... What do they care for the poor man's sport? The poor are giving their lives for this country in thousands. In many cases they have nothing else... These should, according to a small clique of virulent snobs, be deprived of the one distraction that they have had for over thirty years."
Three members of the Parliamentary Recruiting Committee visited Upton Park during half-time to call for volunteers. Joe Webster, the West Ham United goalkeeper, was one of those who joined the Football Battalion as a result of this appeal. Jack Tresadern joined the Royal Garrison Artillery. An intelligent man, he quickly reached the rank of lieutenant.
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PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Butcher, Carr)
5 December 1914
Att: 6,000
Webster
Burton
Tirrell
Whiteman
Askew
Randall
Bailey
Butcher
Puddefoot
Mackesy
Carr
West Ham played with nine men for part of the first half, and the visitors with the same numberforpartofthesecond but both had never more than ten apiece after half time. West Ham was again reduced to nine when Tirrell was hurt. Randall, Butcher, Blott, Wilcox and Tirrell were all off the field at one time or another and Randall for nearly the whole of it. Good, early play by Puddefoot, Butcher and Bailey was not maintained. Butcher opened the score with a neat shot, and well on in the first haIf the ball was put right across the goal for Carr to net it from the far post. In the second half there were several fouls, beyond two fine saves that Webster had to make, the home goal was not in much danger. The West Ham halves worked well but the play of the forwards was disconnected. The game ended with scrambling play without addition to the score. The attendance was 6,000.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_840729a0a7d54d8c9906b6081221c383~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_301,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_840729a0a7d54d8c9906b6081221c383~mv2.jpg)
CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Mackesy)
12 December 1914
Att: 5,000
Webster
Burton
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Tresadern
Bailey
Butcher
Puddefoot
Mackesy
Carr
REPORT:
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NORWICH CITY
The Nest
0 - 0
19 December 1914
Att: 4,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Butcher
Bailey
Fenwick
Carr
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
0 - 0
25 December 1914
Att: 1,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Butcher
Bailey
Fenwick
Casey
Brighton pressed strongly from the start and Burton and Cope looked decidedly shaky. Although the visitor’s goal had some narrow escapes Hughes was not overworked. Jones found the West Ham net but was judged off-side and at the other end Leafe hit the Brighton Bar. After the interval Hammers became more aggressive but were driven back. Miller hit their cross bar as both goals were then attacked in turn - Casey got one in for Hammers but was given off-side. Wilcock made a grand save from Butcher but the visitors were lucky to leave with a point.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_fb3e214c677d4bfc82b984d5dbfdd7a5~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_309,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_fb3e214c677d4bfc82b984d5dbfdd7a5~mv2.jpg)
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Puddefoot 2)
26 December 1914
Att: 9,600
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Leafe
Butcher
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
Brighton were hard pressed throughout and finished very tired. During the final 20 minutes only Tyler of the visitors appeared to have any strength left. Hammers were on the attack from the start and won a corner in the opening minute. The visitors were very much with their backs to the wall and Spencer made a couple of fine clearences. Longstaff made a determined attack but his pass to Miller was not made use of. The wingman came againand this time Jones went close.
Tyler and Woodhouse both caused Hughes some anxiety but each finally shot wide. The ground was heavy but the pace was fast. A fine pass from Leafe put Butcher in a good position but Wilcox narrowed the angle and turned his shot aside.
A little later Puddefoot, Leafe and Butcher got clear of the backs and raced away. The centre-forward scored from Butcher/s final pass. Almost immediatley Woodhouse and Longstaff got past Cope but Hughes saved. Hammers had several more shots at the Brighton goal without success. One effort from Puddefoot brought a fine save from Wilcox. Woodhouse and Longstaff continuakky worried the home defence but not so long as Hammers were attacking. Jones missed an easy chance after the pair had once more got round Cope. A shot from Miller caused Hughes to fall, the ball got loose and Wagstaff equalised.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_ec368785a2ac42c5a349843d2b4a1615~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_311,h_402,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_ec368785a2ac42c5a349843d2b4a1615~mv2.jpg)
EXETER CITY
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Puddefoot 3, Fenwick)
2 January 1915
Att: 7,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Hilsdon
Puddefoot
Fenwick
Casey
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_2eacef88e5c746a9860f5502be3a0e6a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_311,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_2eacef88e5c746a9860f5502be3a0e6a~mv2.jpg)
NEWCASTLE UNITED : FA Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Leafe 2)
9 January 1915
Att: 15,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Hilsdon
Puddefoot
Fenwick
Casey
REPORT:
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NEWCASTLE UNITED : FA Cup (First Round Replay)
St James' Park
2 - 3 (Casey, Leafe)
16 January 1915
Att: 28,130
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Ashton
Leafe
Puddefoot
Fenwick
Casey
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_4f19933bd2ef4ae2bddf74f498862a3c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_309,h_400,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_4f19933bd2ef4ae2bddf74f498862a3c~mv2.jpg)
PORTSMOUTH
Upton Park
4 - 3 (Leafe 2, Burton [pen], Casey)
23 January 1915
Att: 3,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Fenwick
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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SWINDON TOWN
County Ground
1 - 1 (Casey)
30 January 1915
Att: 3,000
Hughes
Brandon
Cope
Whiteman
Fenwick
Woodards
Carr
Butcher
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/413a13_fb76ea653f1348929497e6be8517c22f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_297,h_399,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/413a13_fb76ea653f1348929497e6be8517c22f~mv2.jpg)
SOUTHEND UNITED
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Puddefoot 2, Leafe)
6 February 1915
Att: 5,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Fenwick
Woodards
Leafe
Butcher
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Park Royal Ground
1 - 1 (Whiteman)
13 February 1915
Att: 5,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Caton
Leafe
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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MILLWALL ATHLETIC
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Puddefoot)
20 February 1915
Att: 17,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Caton
Leafe
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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BRISTOL ROVERS
Eastville
0 - 1
27 February 1915
Att: 3,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Caton
Leafe
Puddefoot
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
West Ham United supporters also formed their own Pals Battalion. The 13th (Service) Battalion (West Ham Pals) were part of the Essex Regiment. On 5th March 1915 the East Ham Echo reported that Henry Dyer, the Mayor of West Ham, held a concert on behalf of the West Ham Battalion: "During the evening the Mayor briefly addressed the men. He remarked that it was the first time he had the opportunity of speaking to the Battalion as a whole. He was proud of them and when they had gone away a close watch upon their movements would be kept."
In his book War Hammers: The Story of West Ham United During the First World War, Brian Belton argues that the battle cry of the West Ham Pals was "Up the Irons." They saw action at the Somme, Ypres, Vimy Ridge and Cambrai. The war took a terrible toll on these men. Over the next three years the battalion suffered casualties of 37,404 killed, wounded and missing.
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CROYDON COMMON
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Hilsdon)
6 March 1915
Att: 5,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Casey
Arthur Stallard, scorer of many goals for the Reserves was given a first team chance in this match. He started badly by missing a couple of easy chances. The lowly Croydon side held out until 5 minutes from the end. Then a Hilsdon goal won the points for the Hammers.
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LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
2 - 1 (Bailey, Leafe)
10 March 1915
Att: 7,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Bailey
Casey
Bailey deputised for Hilsdon and had a fine match. Luton skipper Bob Hawkes was a spectator. Puddefoot brought Mitchell to his knees in the opening minute. The wind assisted West Ham considerably in the first half. The speedy Leafe often troubled the Luton back line. Cope saved a certain goal after Rollinson beat Hughes. His wild clearance almost struck the corner flag. Leafe scored from a low centre from Bailey. Mitchell had no chance of stopping it nor did he with Bailey's shot that made it 2-0 just before the break. Bailey's shot was mis-hit and deceived Mitchell into going the wrong way. Simms goal for Luton in the second half was the result of good work by Johnson.
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READING
Elm Park
1 - 3 (Leafe)
13 March 1915
Att: 7,000
Hughes
Burton
Cope
Whiteman
Askew
Fenwick
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Bailey
Casey
The large crowd were mainly soldiers from the local barricks. After 10 minutes Raphs put the home side in front. In the 35th minute Foster scored making it 2-0.Before the cheering had subsided Caldwell had fumbled a hard hit ball from Puddefoot. It dropped over the line but Leafe dashed up and got credited with the point. In the second-half Foster added to Readings goals.
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SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Hildson [pen], Leafe, Stallard)
20 March 1915
Att: 8,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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NORTHAMPTON TOWN
County Ground
1 - 1 (Stallard)
27 March 1915
Att: 1,500
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Casey
REPORT:
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CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Stallard 2)
2 April 1915
Att: 13,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Wright
REPORT:
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WATFORD
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Hilsdon [pen], Puddefoot)
3 April 1915
Att: 10,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Burton
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Wright
REPORT:
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CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park
1 - 2 (Stallard)
5 April 1915
Att: 10,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Wright
REPORT:
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PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
0 - 1
10 April 1915
Att: 5,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Wright
Casey
REPORT:
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace
1 - 2 (Stallard)
17 April 1915
Att: 4,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Leafe
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Mackesy
Palace scored twice in the last 5 minutes of the first half. Leafe hit the home cross-bar. Stallard got West Ham's goal after Johnson who had been idle most of the afternoon conceded two corners in the space of a few minutes.
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NORWICH CITY
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Stallard)
24 April 1915
Att: 3,000
Hughes
Cope
Speak
Whiteman
Askew
Woodards
Bailey
Puddefoot
Stallard
Hilsdon
Mackesy
Norwich under pressure most of the time battled gamely. Lansdale was the hero for the visitors. He saved numerous shots and even stopped a penalty from Hilsdon. Unfortunately he couldn't hold it and Stallard got to the rebound. Luck was with the visitors for Stallard's effort hit the bar. At this point Hammers were already ahead Stallard having scored in the 38th minute. The equaliser came 10 minutes from the end when Ritchie headed n a corner from Woods.
Attendances at league games fell dramatically during the second-half of the season because of the impact of the First World War. It was decided that the Southern League would not operate in the 1915-16 season. As football players only had contracts to play for one season at a time, they were now out of work. It has been estimated that around 2,000 of Britain's 5,000 professional footballers now joined the armed forces. This included most of the West Ham team.
Not all the West Ham players joined the armed forces. According to Brian Belton, the author of War Hammers, The Story of West Ham United During the First World War (2007): "Syd Puddefoot, worked long, exhausting and often dangerous shifts in munitions factories."
Five former West Ham United players were killed in action during the war: Fred Griffiths, Arthur Stallard, William Jones, Frank Cannon and William Kennedy. West Ham's star forward, George Hilsdon, had to endure a mustard gas attack at Arras in 1917. This badly damaged his lungs and although he played briefly for Chatham Town after the war it brought an end to his professional football career. Fred Harrison was also badly gassed on the Western Front and never played football again.
Major Frank Buckley kept a record of what happened to the men under his command in the Football Battalion. He later wrote that by the mid-1930s over 500 of the battalion's original 600 men were dead, having either been killed in action or dying from wounds suffered during the fighting.
West Ham United elected to the 1919-20
Football League Second Division after World War One
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