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1921-22 Football League (Second Division)

Manager: Syd King

Since joining the Football League the team had shown a steady improvement with promotion to the First Division the main aim. Manager Syd King had assembled an experienced defence and it was hoped that young Vic Watson would be able to contribute with the goalscoring to ease the burden on Puddefoot. However, once again it was the usual pattern of losing away and winning at home. There were five successive away defeats, while at home Stoke, Port Vale and Bristol City were all beaten with a 3–0 scoreline. The first away win came in October at Bristol City, where Syd Bishop scored in a 1–0 victory, and he repeated the feat in November at Wolverhampton, scoring the only goal of the game. At home the Hammers were particularly strong and Puddefoot scored a brace in each of the successive home victories against Barnsley, Coventry City and Derby County. January proved to be a disappointing month, with no wins in the league and a FA Cup defeat at Swansea Town.

It was a huge shock to the West Ham faithful when in February, leading scorer Puddefoot was sold to Falkirk for British record fee of £5,000. It was a large amount at the time and the club said that they had a ready replacement in Vic Watson. There were three successive wins in March and after beating Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 in April the team lay third in the table. Unfortunately, not a single win came in the remaining seven games, leaving the side to finish fourth in the league. In the final game of the season at Blackpool, William "Billy" Williams scored on his debut. At 16 years of age he was the club’s youngest ever player at that time.

Note:

Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United

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STOKE CITY
Victoria Ground
0 - 2
27 August 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

JOHN GURKIN

Bishop

Brown

Robinson

Puddefoot

James

Young

James Broad formerly of Millwall scored a goal in the 43rd minute of an otherwise spiritless first-half. Stoke then began to play with greather dash and Watkins added a second in the 60th minute. Tom Broad ex- Manchester City and brother to James was also in the Stoke XI. James Broad had the ball in the Hammers net 3 times altogether but two were disallowed.

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Dickinson [og])
29 August 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

James

WILLIAM THIRLAWAY

Bishop

Puddefoot

Robinson

Smith S.

Park Avenue had one of the weakness defences last season and the Hammers defence had been one of the strongest, Bradford failed to score in this game but the goal that won the points was credited to one of their own players Dickenson who trapped the ball, in a harmless situation, passed his own goalkeeper for an own goal. Previously, Puddefoot put in some terrific drives but Scattergood was equal to them all. 

STOKE CITY
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Allen, Jackson, Puddefoot [pen])
3 September 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

THOMAS JACKSON

Puddefoot

Smith S.

James

The Hammers display was a revelation compared with their performance in the previous match against Bradford. This was a well deserved 3-0 win, the half-backs were in fine form. Hufton was called into action early on when Stoke forced three quick corners soon after the kick-off. Kay was a glutton for work but Bishop at first had trouble with the speed of Tom Broad. Hammers first goal was a penalty Puddefoot netted from the spot after Clarke had handled in the area. A minute after half-time, Allen scored a splendid goal with a hard low shot. Thomas Jackson recently signed from Dundee scored on his debut 8 minutes from the end. Thirlaway looks like developing into a reliable right-winger.

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BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue
0 - 2
5 September 1921
Att: 7,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

James

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Jackson

Smith S.

The Yorkshire side were a goal up in 5 minutes when Bauchop headed in a McCandless cross. Hammers defence were very busy in the opening half and when the did break out Puddefoot's shots lacked accuracy. In the second half West Ham were as good as Park Avenue but a mistake by Hebden let in Lowson who doubled the difference, in the 20th minute. James was the best West Ham forward he frequently outwitted experienced defenders in Crosier and Blackham. Puddefoot was the weakest member of the visitors front line.

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PORT VALE
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Puddefoot 2, Watson)
10 September 1921
Att: 15,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Robinson

Puddefoot

Watson

James

A fast and vigorous game on a hard ground. Despite scoring twice Puddefoot had poor luck with many other shots but he was the life and soul of the attack.

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PORT VALE
Recreation Ground
1 - 2 (Watson)
17 September 1921
Att: 10,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Robinson

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

SOUTH SHIELDS
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Puddefoot)
24 September 1921
Att: 18,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Carter

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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SOUTH SHIELDS
Horsley Hill Road
0 - 1
1 October 1921
Att: 14,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Brown

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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COVENTRY CITY
Highfield Road
0 - 2
3 October 1921
Att: 12,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Brown

Puddefoot

Watson

James

A good performance by the Hammers but Best in the home goal was unbeatable. Puddefoot at inside-right was not a success and after he was injured he was even less effective on the left-wing. Kay was the best of the half-backs while Thirlaway and James made sone speedy runs that caused the Coventry defenders some anxiety. City's first goal was scored by Morgan who got to a corner and headed past Hufton. Morgan also scored the second goal, with a shot that hit a post first. Coventry fielded a weakened even, McCaig and Lindley being absent and their places were taken by Mercer and Devlin

BRISTOL CITY
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Puddefoot 2 [1 pen], Watson)
8 October 1921
Att: 18,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

James

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

Young

On an extremely hot day the temperature was 100 degrees plus and the ground as hard as rock. High class soccer was impossibility. The Hammers score might have been doubled had they steadied themselves before shooting. One of Puddefoot's goals was a penalty awarded for hands against Banfield.

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BRISTOL CITY
Ashton Gate
1 - 0 (Bishop)
15 October 1921
Att: 10,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

James

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

Young

REPORT:

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BRENTFORD : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Griffin Park
0 - 3
17 October 1921
Att: ?

Fay

Cope

Hebden

James

Bishop

Allen

Young

Watson

Puddefoot

Robinson

Thirlaway

Brentford surprised West Ham with the amount of vim they put into their work and in the last quarter of an hour the Hammers did not take their position too kindly; in fact, the referee found it necessary to caution two of their players. The first half brought no goals, chiefly because the backs on both sides adopted the one-back game and the forwards were not capable of overcoming it. Twelve minutes after the interval Hendren, who made many fine runs, sent across a centre which Capper headed past Fay. Ten minutes from the end Archie Mitchell scored a second from a penalty and the same player headed a third from a corner just before the end.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Watson)
22 October 1921
Att; 20,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Bishop

Thirlaway

Puddefoot

Watson

James

Young

REPORT:

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NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
0 - 2
29 October 1921
Att: 15,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

James

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

REPORT:

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Kay, Tresadern)
5 November 1921
Att: 16,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Molineux
1 - 0 (Bishop)
12 November 1921
Att: 11,000

Hampson

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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BARNSLEY
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Puddefoot 2, Bishop, Watson)
19 November 1921
Att: 18,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

Barnsley's fate was sealed in a 6th minute spell in the first half when 3-goals were scored all coming from brilliant centres by James. The visitors were up against a cleverer and speedier eleven, Puddefoot was the star turn of the match. His second goal was the best seen at Upton Park for many years. He ran from just inside the Barnsley half towards the visitor’s goal. Getting past both backs he slammed an unstoppable shot into the Barnsley net. Thirlaway and James were in good form and far too quick for the visiting defenders.

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BARNSLEY
Oakwell
1 - 1 (Thirlaway)
26 November 1921
Att: 9,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

Defences dominated at Oakwell. Hammers had a gruelling time in the first-half, Barnsley lacked finish but were full of fire. Hufton was brilliant. The goals came in the early minutes of the second half. Hammers scored first when James provided Tirlaway with a chance. His shot hit the underside of the cross-bar and Thorpe cleared - but too late. The referee ruled that the ball was behind the line. Barnsley's equaliser came from a penalty. Cope brought down Donkin and Fletcher scored from the spot.

COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Puddefoot 2 [1 pen], Watson)
10 December 1921
Att: 18,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

DERBY COUNTY
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Puddefoot 2 [1 pen], James)
17 December 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Hebden

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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DERBY COUNTY
Baseball Ground
1 - 3 (Kay)
24 December 1921
Att: 10,000

Hufton

Turner

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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BURY
Gigg Lane
1 - 0 (Allen)
26 December 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Turner

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

BURY
Upton Park
3 - 2 Puddefoot 2, Bishop)
27 December 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Turner

Cope

Allen

Carter

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

JAMES RUFFELL

REPORT:

LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Tresadern)
31 December 1921
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Turner

Cope

Allen

Bishop

Tresadern

Thirlaway

James

Puddefoot

Watson

Ruffell

REPORT:

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SWANSEA TOWN : FA Cup (First Round)
Vetch Field
0 - 0
7 January 1922
Att: 26,000

Hufton

Cope

Lee

Allen

Kay

James

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

Ruffell

For the FA Cup-tie at Vetch Field, the Hammers took two goalkeepers; Hufton reported feeling unwell on the Friday so Hampson accompanied the party. In the event Hufton took his place in the starting eleven. Tresadern had to withdraw due to catching flu, with his place being taken by Lee."Swansea hold out" was the Daily Chronicle heading to the match report but they could just as well have won it for Brown missed two open goals.

SWANSEA TOWN : FA Cup (First Round Replay)
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Watson)
11 January 1922
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Cope

Lee

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

In the replay at at Upton Park the following Wednesday West Ham United and Swansea Town had another terrific struggle, extra time was called for but the teams could not be separated with the match ending in a draw, each side scoring once. The tie replaced Monday next, the ground of the Bristol City club. Play on the whole was largely in favour of West Ham, who had only themselves to blame for not winning by a substantial margin. The shooting of their forwards, however, proved deplorably weak, while in addition Denoon played a wonderful game in the Swansea goal. Playing with great vigour, West Ham kept Swansea on the defensive practically throughout the first half. Denoon saved finely from Puddefoot, Watson, and Tresedern, but he should have been beaten when Puddefoot and Watson each had easy chances. The opening goal scored by Swansea three minutes after the interval, and was the result of the smartest piece of forward play in the whole game. Combining cleverly, Edmondson and Jones completely beat the home defenders. Jones then passed back to Hole, who sent through with a great left shot. West Ham equalised rather luckily eight minutes later. During a heavy attack Puddefoot lobbed the ball in front of the Swansea goal, and Denoon, making a running kick, sent straight at Watson, from whom the ball rebounded into the net. West Ham held the advantage throughout extra time. The crowd numbered 20,000, the gate receipts being £1,304

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LEICESTER CITY
Filbert Street
1 - 2 (Watson)
14 January 1922
Att: 17,000

Hufton

WILLIAM WAUGH

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Leafe

James

Watson

Mackesy

Ruffell

Syd Puddefoot was rested from the Leicester City game and sent on holiday. The directors stated that he had had a hectic season ans was in need of a rest. Watson moved over from the inside-left position to take over the centre-forward spot. And he had a marvellous game. He refused to be ruffled by the attention of Harrold the experienced Leicester pivot and managed to give excellent service to his wingmen.
The young Waugh coming in for his debut had a difficult task against Trotter the home left-winger and came out of it second-best, but he is certain to benefit from experience.

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SWANSEA TOWN : FA Cup (First Round Second Replay)
Ashton Gate
0 - 1
16 January 1922
Att; 8,976

Hufton

Cope

Waugh

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

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LEEDS UNITED
Elland Road
0 - 0
21 January 1922
Att: 7,000

Hufton

Waugh

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Leafe

Simmons

Watson

Puddefoot

Ruffell

West Ham's forwards were sadly out of touch at Leeds where a couple of easy points were there for the taking. Only Simmons played well, Waugh's display was an improvement on his previous performance and Cope had a sound game too.

LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
1 - 1 (James)
28 January 1922
Att; 20,000

Hufton

Allen

Cope

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Simmons

Puddefoot

Jackson

James

The return match against Leeds a week later was an ill-tempered affair. The referee would have ben justified in sending off a couple of players. The slippery surface didn't help and only made poor football poorer.
Another outing was jiven to Jackson, his first senior game since the Bradford math in September. Jackson was one of the successes of the afternoon, and managed to avoid all of the nastiness. Both the goals by James, West Ham and Armitage for Leeds came within a minute of each other in the opening half.

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HULL CITY
Anlaby Road
0 - 0
4 February 1922
Att; 8,000

Hufton

Waugh

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Puddefoot

Watson

James

REPORT:

HULL CITY
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Kay)
11 February 1922
Att; 20,000

Hampson

Waugh

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Simmons

Watson

Bishop

James

At Upton Park West Ham in 4th place faced Hull City in 5th spot. Tragedy struck Hull when Mills their goal-scoring inside-left was carried off with his team a goal down. But Hull fought back and Flood their leading scorer produced a mazy dribble that took him into the West Ham half. There, a couple of quick passes confused the home defenders and left McKinney an easy task to level. For West Ham, Watson gave a very able display and indicated ythat the recently departed Puddefoot would not be missed.

NOTTS COUNTY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Watson 2)
25 February 1922
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Waugh

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Simmons

Bishop

Watson

James

Ruffell

REPORT:

CRYSTAL PALACE
The Nest
2 - 1 (Allen, Watson)
4 March 1922
Att: 10,000

Hufton

Waugh

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Simmons

Bishop

Watson

James

Ruffell

A lucky win at Selhurst placed West Ham within striking distance of the Promotion positions in Division II. The Hammers gained their success as the result of two fortunate goals scored in the second half. A change of tactics at half-time enabled the Hammers to overcome a one-goal deficit. The muddy ground didn't suit West Ham's close passing technique but after the break they began to swing the ball about with great effect. Both Hammers goals came within 4 minutes of each other midway through the second period. Hufton's goal was under severe pressure in the opening spell and once Menlove got clean through only to see the custodian dash from his goal and kick clear. Bishop was the visitors most dangerous forward and he came closest to scoring prior to the interval with a long drive that was tipped over by Irwin. West Ham's equaliser was notched by Allen with a long range shot that deceived the home goalie. A few minutes later a shot from Watson was diverted past Irwin by Feebury for an own goal. Waugh was hurt in the game and the visitors finished with ten men.

CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Tresadern, Watson)
11 March 1922
Att: 23,000

Hufton

WILLIAM HENDERSON

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Simmons

Bishop

Watson

James

Ruffell

West Ham's forwards lacked shooting power but overall the side looked promotion material they kept up a steady stream of attacks on the visitors goal. Tresadern scored one of the finest goals seen on the ground. Receiving the ball in his own half he cleverly tricked two opponents and made ground before unleashing a powerful low shot that went just inside the post.
In defence Cope and Henderson, who had been a Hammer for little over 24 hours, easily subdued the Palace forwards.

ROTHERHAM COUNTY
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Kay)
18 March 1922
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Simmons

Bishop

Watson

James

Ruffell

REPORT:

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ROTHERHAM COUNTY
Millmoor
1 - 0 (James)
25 March 1922
Att; 10,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Simmons

Robinson

Watson

Bishop

James

REPORT:

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NOTTS COUNTY
Meadow Lane
1 - 1 (Watson)
29 March 1922
Att: 7,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Leafe

Simmons

Robinson

Watson

Bishop

James

The attendance was the lowest at a Notts County home game so far this season. Watson gave Hammers the lead 10 minutes before the break. Notts attacked for almost the whole of the second half but only managed to equalise in the last 5 minutes through Cook.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Allen [pen], Kay)
1 April 1922
Att; 20,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Robinson

Watson

Bishop

James

England's current centre-half Wilson was surprised by the dash of West Ham's young centre-forward Watson. Gray cleared a Kay header off the Wednesday goalline. After half an hour West Ham went ahead from a penalty for 'hands'. There was some protest from the Wednesday players before Allen stepped forward and netted. Kay got West Ham's second with a 20 'yarder' following clever work by Thirlaway and Robinson. The outstanding player on the home team was Tresadern who was industrious both in attack and defence.

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SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Hillsborough
1 - 2 (Tresadern)
8 April 1922
Att: 7,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Robinson

Watson

Bishop

James

Hammers were a goal down in two minutes. Lofthouse appeared to be in an offside position before centring for Lunn to score. The goal greatly disheartened the visitors. West Ham's close passing game was completely unsuited to the conditions. The pitch was like a quagmire and sleet and snow fell throughout. In addition to the elements, Wednesday's defenders were playing a robust game. After 10 minutes of the second half Lofouse put Wednesday further ahead after Hufton had kept the home forwards out with a series of capital saves. With ten minutes remaining Tresadern reduced the arrears with a smart free kick but the home side held on to the points.

CLAPTON ORIENT
Upton Park
1 - 2 (James)
14 April 1922
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Watson

James

Ruffell

REPORT:

FULHAM
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Allen)
15 April 1922
Att; 25,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Robinson

Watson

Brown

Ruffell

REPORT:

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CLAPTON ORIENT
Millfields Road
0 - 0
17 April 1922
Att: 27,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Robinson

Watson

Brown

Ruffell

REPORT:

FULHAM
Craven Cottage
0 - 2
22 April 1922
Att: 10,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Brown

Watson

James

Ruffell

REPORT:

BLACKPOOL
Upton Park
0 - 2
29 April 1922
Att; 18,000

Hufton

Henderson

Cope

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Bishop

Watson

Brown

Ruffell

REPORT:

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BLACKPOOL
Bloomfield Road
1 - 3 (Williams)
6 May 1922
Att: 12,000

Hampson

TOMMY HODGSON

Henderson

Allen

Kay

Tresadern

Thirlaway

Carter

Watson

WILLIAM WILLIAMS

Ruffell

REPORT:

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