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1923-24 Football League (First Division)

Manager: Syd King

The opening game in the First Division saw the Hammers gain a creditable 0–0 draw at Sunderland. Two days later there were 25,000 inside the Boleyn Ground to see Arsenal beaten 1–0 with a goal from Albert Fletcher. Goals were hard to come by, with only five being scored in the first eleven games. In November Birmingham City were beaten 4–1 at home but this was followed up with a 5–1 defeat at Burnley. The Christmas and New Year period brought three home wins against Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Liverpool.

In the FA Cup Third Division side Aberdare Athletic were the visitors and, with Billy Brown scoring twice, the Welsh side were beaten 5–0. Cup hopes were ended in the next round with a 1–0 replay defeat at Leeds United, which followed a 1–1 draw at home.

The defence were playing well, with full-backs Henderson and Young behind half-backs Bishop, Kay and Cadwell. It was the forwards who were struggling, hence the five draws in the next six games. The season ended with home and away defeats to Manchester City, which resulted in a mid-table position of 13th.

Note:

Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United

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SUNDERLAND
Roker Park
0 - 0
25 August 1923
Att: 32,000

Hufton

Henderson

Hodgson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Richards

Brown

Watson

Moore

Ruffell

West Ham United contested their first-ever First Division fixture when they travelled north to Sunderland's Roker Park. The Hammers had finished second to Notts County in the Second Division and reached the FA Cup final the previous season, 1922-23, under manager Syd King. King named ten of his FA Cup final starting XI for the trip to Wearside and was rewarded with a determined performance, a clean sheet for goalkeeper Ted Hufton, and a point from a goalless draw played out in front of 32,000 fans.

ARSENAL
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Fletcher)
27 August 1923
Att: 25,000

Hampson

Henderson

Hodgson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Richards

Brown

Fletcher

Moore

Ruffell

The first-ever top flight game at the Boleyn Ground was played when the Hammers hosted London rivals Arsenal. West Ham needed only four years of Division Two Football before rising to join the game's elite for the first time, and they turned up at the Boleyn Ground having drawn 0-0 with Sunderland in the opening fixture of the campaign.

Their meeting with Arsenal would go even better as Albert Fletcher notched the only goal of the 90 minutes to give the 25,000 home crowd a happy afternoon. Fletcher would only play another six games for the Club, but will always have his place in the history books as the Hammers' first Division One goalscorer. West Ham's debut top flight campaign ended satisfactorily, with a 41-point haul earning them 13th place in the table.

SUNDERLAND
Upton Park
0 - 1
1 September 1923
Att: 25,000

Hampson

Henderson

Hodgson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Richards

Brown

Fletcher

Moore

Ruffell

The Hammers' entertained Sunderland on Saturday 1st September at Upton Park. It is interesting to note that during this period of English football; and for a number of seasons afterwards; clubs often played each other on a home and away basis on consecutive Saturdays or over a bank holiday period such as Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Before a crowd of some 25,000 the wear siders inflicted a 0-1 defeat on the Hammers' emphasising the points that consistency in form and strength in depth were needed for continuing success -Sunderland were to finish in third place in the standings at the end of the campaign.

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CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
0 - 0
8 September 1923
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Hodgson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Richards

Brown

Fletcher

Moore

Ruffell

Still finding goals hard to come by, the Irons held Cardiff City to a scoreless draw at the Boleyn Ground, before one of the largest attendances at home that season - some 30,000 fans. The return of Ted Hufton between the posts obviously must have had a steadying effect on his fellow defenders 

ARSENAL
Highbury
1 - 4 (Hodges)
10 September 1923
Att: 40,000

Hampson

Henderson

Hodgson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Richards

HARRY HODGES

Fletcher

Moore

Ruffell

At Highbury the Gunners notched four goals against Ted Hufton's deputy Tommy Hampson. Harry Hodges, who was deputising for Watson, got his name in the record books by scoring on his debut in the match and had the added distinction -like Albert Fletcher who had done the same feat three matches previously also against The Arsenal - of never scoring again in our colours; a similar fate also shared by Fletcher.

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CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park
0 - 1
15 September 1923
Att: 37,000

Hufton

Henderson

Hebden

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

TOMMY YEWS

Brown

Fletcher

Richards

Ruffell

The Hammers' made the long trip to Wales for the return fixture against Cardiff. The Welshmen were to enjoy a highly successful season that year and only lost out on the narrowest of margins in taking the title at the conclusion of the season. Finishing with 57 points, the same as Huddersfield Town, the Welsh team had to settle for the runners-up spot with goal average (60-33 as against 61-34) taking the Trophy to the Northern club for the first time. It was to be the closest that Cardiff City were ever to get to the senior honour in domestic competition although they did gain some consolation three seasons later when they lifted the F.A. Cup after finishing runners-up in 1925. Although Hufton returned to the side his fellow defender Tommy Hodgson was missing from the left-back position and with the forwards failing to score once again Cardiff City recorded a 1-0 victory before 33,000 of their fans.

MIDDLESBROUGH
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Brown)
22 September 123
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Young

Henderson

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Yews

NORMAN PROCTOR

Fletcher

Brown

Ruffell

Middlesbrough journeyed south for the first league meeting between the sides. Heavy rain was falling, as the two teams walked out on the pitch, limiting the crowd to 20,000. The Hammers fielded eight of the losing Cup-Final side, against a strong Middlesbrough forward-line, the crowd was anticipating a keen struggle for the two points at stake. Against the run of play, West Ham’s Fletcher evaded a tackle from Maurice Webster and passed the ball to William Brown. The big number 10 beat Jack Clough in the 'Boro goal after 13 minutes to put the Londoners 1-0 up. On the stroke of half-time a long through-pass by the ‘Boro’ defence sent Tommy Urwin racing down the wing who in turn passed to the unmarked Scottish international Andy Wilson, ,who calmly took the ball between the advancing backs to beat Edward Hufton in the Hammers’ goal to level matters. Each side deserving a point for their sterling efforts in the muddy conditions.

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MIDDLESBROUGH
Ayresome Park
1 - 0 (Yews)
29 September 1923
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Yews

Brown

Watson

Proctor

Ruffell

Exactly a week after their 1-1 draw at Upton Park, 20,000 gathered at Ayresome Park on a warm sunny afternoon to witness the return encounter. Vic Watson replaced Albert Fletcher at centre-forward for his second match of the season. The teams walked off the field at half-time with neither side being able to break through and score. Seven minutes from the final whistle, with the crowd resigned to a goal-less draw, Alf Maitland, Middlesbrough's left back twice mis-kicked the ball and West Ham’s Tommy Yews picked up the loose ball to score the only goal of the game.

NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Brown)
6 October 1923
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Bishop

Yews

Brown

Watson

Proctor

Ruffell

Jack Tresadem, who had begun his career at Boleyn Ground in the club's Southern League days, returned to the side after injury with George Carter dropping out of the starting line-up. In another finely balanced contest the Hammers edged home via a Billy Brown goal.
These three vital points gained from the Tynesiders helped the Hammers consolidated their position in the top flight and proved their ability in being able to "live" with the more famous names of English football. By the end of the season the "Magpies" had lifted the F.A. Cup after a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and were laying the foundations that saw lem take the Division One title back home at the end of the 1926-27 season.

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NEWCASTLE UNITED
St James' Park
0 - 0
13 October 1923
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Tresadern

Yews

Brown

Watson

Moore

Ruffell

West Ham returned to the North-East - this time to Tyneside and St James' Park. Originally formed in 1881, domestic success had eluded Newcastle United for the past fifteen years or so since they won three Division One championships and on F.A. Cup Final trophy in the first decade of the 20th century.
Nevertheless it was still a formidable task for the newly promoted visitors with a patriotic 25.000 attendance cheering the "Magpies" on. George Carter was drafted into the Hammers' defence for his first game of the campaign. With Ted Hufton in goal and full backs Billy Henderson and Jack Young; as well as centre-half and captain George Kay; the former West Ham Boys team player Carter succeeded in denying the home side any goal scoring opportunities and the Hammers returned home with a creditable scoreless draw.

CHELSEA
Stamford Bridge
0 - 0
20 October 1923
Att: 50,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

ALBERT CADWELL

Yews

Brown

Watson

Moore

Ruffell

The third Saturday of the month saw the Hammers' journey to Stamford Bridge for a league encounter with today's visitors Chelsea. A crowd of 51,000 (the highest that was to watch the Hammers home or away during the season) was drawn to the match which was all the more significant as it was the first league meeting between the two London clubs. Stamford Bridge to the Hammers' side of 1923 was not such a formidable venue as many people might have thought it would have been to a newly promoted side. Eight months earlier the Irons had defeated Derby County at the Bridge in an exciting F.A. Cup Semi-Final tie by 5-2 with eight of the current team being on duty that day before a similar sized audience.
Another defensive shut-out extended West-Ham's unbeaten run to five games although the "Pensioners" themselves also restricted the visitors to a blank score-sheet.

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NUNHEAD : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
7 - 1 (Moore 3, Fletcher 2, Brown, Ruffell)
22 October 1923
Att: ?

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Bishop

Cadwell

Yews

Fletcher

Brown

Moore

Ruffell

REPORT:

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CHELSEA
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Brown, Kay)
27 October 1923
Att: 25,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Bishop

Yews

Brown

FRANK RICHARDSON

Moore

Ruffell

The then system of playing the same opponents on successive Saturdays throughout the season meant that Chelsea were the visitors to Upton Park on 27th October. With just over half the attendance (some 26,000) to that of the previous Saturday packed into the more claustrophobic atmosphere of the Boleyn Ground the Hammers continued their good form.

Two goals from George Kay and Billy Brown were enough to secure the points for the home side and in some way helped to cause, at the end of the Second Division where they were to remain for the next six years. It is interesting to note that Billy Brown who had been a play-anywhere utility man when West Ham plucked him from local soccer in his native North-East was later in the season to move to Chelsea in their unsuccessful bid to maintain their Division One status.

BIRMINGHAM CITY
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Brown, Kay, Moore, Richardson)
3 November 1923
Att: 20,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Carter

Yews

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Thirlaway

The visit of Birmingham City to Upton Park two days before "Bonfire Night" culminated in the Hammers' creating fireworks on the pitch and a 4-1 victory which was to prove to be their biggest League success of the season.  A crowd of 22,000 saw Billy Brown, Frank Richardson, captain George Kay and Billy Moore share the quartet of goals.  For Richardson and Moore it was their first goals of the new campaign and the greatest success they were to achieve as a "striking" partnership.
Frank Richardson deputising for Watson had come to Upton Park from Stoke City earlier that year but in ten appearances for the Irons only scored twice and moved to Swindon Town later on in the season.
For Billy Moore it was an entirely different story as he had moved to Upton Park from Sunderland in 1922 and spent a total of 38 years at the Club as a player, assistant trainer and trainer before his retirement.

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MILLWALL : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)
The Den
1 - 2 (Fletcher)
5 November 1923
Att: ?

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Bishop

Richards

Brown

Fletcher

Moore

Thirlaway

REPORT:

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BIRMINGHAM CITY
St Andrews
0 - 2
10 November 1923
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Bishop

Yews

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

The Hammers' were opposed by a much-improved Birmingham team than the side which went under so meekly at Upton Park a week ago.. This transformation in the St. Andrew's team was due to Islip, who made his debut in the Birmingham side. He and Bradford made an irresistible combination, which time and again had the stalwart West Ham defence in a tangle. Quite appropriately, these two forwards scored the goals which won Birmingham a sorely needed brace of points. The home side started off in spirited fashion, and, energetically led by Bradford, the Birmingham forwards were livelier than they had been for some time, The visitors took some time to settle down, and Richardson found Cringan a difficult man to beat. Twenty-one minutes from the kick-off Birmingham's perseverance was rewarded by a fine goal.

While the "Hammers " were appealing for an off-side decision Harvey got away on the right. From his centre, Bradford literally flung himself at the ball, which went off his head past Hufton at a terrific rate, Encouraged by this success, the home team returned to the attack in fine style, but Henderson and Young were a powerful pair of backs. West Ham made strenuous efforts to get the equalising goal. First Brown and then Richardson sent in drives which seemed certain to score, but the home defence refused to give way.

The Londoners returned to the attack after the resumption, and they were so determined in their assaults that a goal seemed imminent, especially when Moore sent in a rasping shot, which Tremelling only just held. Birmingham, however, would not .be denied, and Islip put his side further ahead by converting a delightful pass from Bradford. This was the signal for another Hammers' attack, and Brown and Richardson had bad luck in not reducing the lead with great shots. Richardson netted for West Ham. The referee first allowed a goal, but on consultation with a linesman disallowed it for offside. The home attack was in a particularly lively mood for the last half-hour, and Baton was kept continually on the alert to keep out shots from Bradford and Islip. West Ham's forward; could make no impression on, the Birmingham defence, although Richardson broke through, and put the ball past Tremelling. He was so obviously offside that it was surprising that the referee should have to consult both linesmen before disallowing the goal. It was only after energetic protests of home players that he did this. 

 

Birmingham  City:
Tremelling, Ashurst, Womack, Daws, Cringan, Barton, Harvey, Crosbie, Bradford, Islip, Clark. 

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BURNLEY
Turf Moor
1 - 5 (Moore)
17 November 1923
Att: 9,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

Another away trip on the third weekend in the month took the Hammers' to Turf Moor for their next match.  Before a crowd of only 5,000 - the lowest to watch the Hammers' home or away during the whole of the campaign - Burnley inflicted a 1-5 thrashing on their London rivals.  

It was the biggest defeat sustained by the Irons since they had been beaten by Barnsley (0-7) four years previously in only their second game after winning election to the Second Division. Billy Moore got the Hammers' consolation goal whilst goalkeeper Ted Hufton again received an injury which caused him to miss the return seven days later.

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BURNLEY
Upton Park
0 - 0
24 November 1923
Att: 20,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

Tommy Harnpson deputising for Hufton as he was to do on 27 League occasions that season. Once again a paucity of goals from the forwards meant that a great burden fell on the defence to keep a clean sheet. Fortunately, they held out with some sterling work and the Hammers' gained a certain degree of renewed pride as well as another valuable point with their fifth goalless drawn in 16 matches.
With the absence of Vic Watson a great weight fell upon the shoulders of Billy Moore as the principal goalscorer in the team. His 15 goals the previous season, along with Watson's 22, ensured the Hammers' promotion.  For the current campaign his normal "strike rate" had been restricted but he still ended the season as top scorer with nine goals in 36 League appearances.
A Club handbook of 1924-25 gave a valuable insight into his character with the following comments upon the 5ft 7ins inside-left:- "A 'little' Moore, but how 'great' a player - we leave you to judge. Much respected by everyone connected with the Club. A more gentlemanly player never put "toe to a ball".  Many of those sentiments were to be repeated four decades later by those who knew his namesake - the legendary Bobby.
After gaining England Amateur international caps against Belgium, Denmark and Sweden Billy had signed professional with Sunderland.  Following his transfer to West Ham in the summer of 1922 Billy's first season in the "claret-and-blue" was sensational. Playing in everyone of the 51 games which saw the Hammers' gain promotion to Division One and a first appearance at Wembley Billy crowned his season with his only England appearance scoring twice in a 3-1 victory over Sweden in Stockholm.
Although recognised as a maker rather than taker of goals during his eight seasons as a West Ham player, Billy was not one to pass up scoring opportunities when they arose, as amptiy confirmed by his 42 goals in 181 League appearances. When he retired from playing in 1929 Billy was appointed assistant trainer under Charlie Paynter and three years later became Trainer-in-chief and remained in that capacity until his full retirement in 1960 having seen the Hammers' return to the First Division after an absence of 25 years.
Billy Moore continued to live in Plashet Road until his death on 26th September 1968 and was a regular visitor to Upton Park during those final years of his life.

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BOLTON WANDERERS
Burnden Park
1 - 1 (Brown)
1 December 1923
Att: 22,592

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

On the first day of December, West Ham United travelled northwards to Burnden Park for a league fixture with Bolton Wanderers. 

It was the first time that the clubs had met in a League match since their foundations in the previous century. The fact that "The Trotters" had defeated "The Irons" some seven months previously in the now legendary "White Horse Final" at Wembley added an extra dimension to the encounter. Before a crowd of some 20,000 honours and points were shared equally with Billy Brown scoring his fifth goal of the season in a 1-1 draw.

BOLTON WANDERERS
Upton Park
0 - 1
8 December 1923
Att: 30,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

Seven days later, the two teams met again, this time at Upton Park, before an attendance of 28,000 spectators. The Cup holders did just enough; coupled with the Hammers' failure to score for the ninth time that season. West Ham's defeat was entirely due to the injury sustained by Bishop in the second half. until then the Hammers halves had so dominated that not a shot reached Hufton for the first hour. After Bishop's injury Vizard had a field day. First, he got away and centred for Joe Smith to crash a shot against a post then he again got clear to create the opportunity from which Jack headed the decider. Hufton contributed to the goal by letting the ball slip from his hands. Cadwell was prominent among the West Ham players, his tackling was sound but his distribution left something to be desired.

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NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
1 - 2 (Edwards)
15 December 1923
Att: 10,000

Hufton

Henderson

Young

Tresadern

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

VIVIAN GIBBINS

Moore

Ruffell

The third Saturday of December saw the Hammers' travelling to the City Ground. Nottingham.  Forest, like their visitors that day, were comparative newcomers to the First Division having gained promotion only one season prior to the Hammers'.

Their vastly greater experience of senior grade soccer proving to be a decisive factor in a 2-1 victory. A new name was added to the Hammers' goalscorers list for that season when Billy Edwards, their right winger, scored his first goal for the Club.

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NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Moore 2, Kay)
22 December 1923
Att: 15,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Richards

When Nottingham Forest made the return journey to Upton Park on Saturday 22nd December 1923, a crowd of 15,000 were present. This attendance was the lowest (together with that for the Huddersfield Town match some three months later) that was to watch a first team match at the Boleyn Ground that campaign.
The ground was muddy from rain after the snow, and with Ted Hufton once again missing through injury as well as Vic Watson with a long term foot injury, it fell upon the experience of captain George Kay and inside forward Billy Moore to inspire the Hammers'. 
Martin ran clear and beat Hampson after eight minutes. Kay headed the equaliser for West Ham from a corner 15 minutes later, and Moore headed through Richardson's pass to give the home side the lead three minutes from the interval.
Early in the second half Hardly saved a penalty taken by Henderson for a foul on Moore. Moore however, incresed West Ham's advantage soon after, but a blunder in defence let in Walker to score in a scramble for the Forest. West Ham deserved their 3-2 victory.
Hufton's absence from the team proved to be the longest he was destined to suffer in the whole of his career with West Ham.  It was 15 months before he, once again, donned a goalkeeper's jersey for a first team game.

ASTON VILLA
Villa Park
1 - 1 (Richardson)
25 December 1923
Att: 40,000

Hampson

Henderson

Hebden

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Richards

The home win against Nottingham Forest the previous week obviously boosted the team's confidence which was further increased when they travelled to Villa Park on Christmas Day and earned a 1-1 draw through a Dick Richardson goal, before a crowd of 40,000.

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ASTON VILLA
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Moore)
26 December 1923
Att; 30,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Gibbins

Moore

Ruffell

The following day, Aston Villa provided the opposition in another "close encounter" - this time Billy Moore proved to be the "cracker" in the West Ham Boxing Day package scoring the only goal in front of 30,000 fans.

Later on that season, Villa were to reach the F. A. Cup Final for the eighth time in their history, but were narrowly beaten 0-2 by Newcastle United. Four years previously, they had lifted the Trophy for the sixth time after an extra time success against Huddersfield Town. Five of their players from that era appeared in both finals.

LIVERPOOL
Anfield
0 - 2
29 December 1923
Att: 20,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

The calendar year ended on a low note for the Hammers' as they sustained a two goals to nothing reverse at Anfieid. The West Ham forwards opened in promising fashion, for they were quick on the ball and opened out the play in rare spirit, but invariably finished weakly. Quite unexpectedly came Liverpool's first success after play had been in progress twenty minutes. Walsh, on receiving from Shone, side-stepped Henderson in cute fashion and drove into the net from eight yards.
The goal livened up the current League champions, but matters rarely worked smoothly for them, as they seldom got the hang of the opposition's offside tactics. Five minutes from the interval Walsh took full advantage of a mistake by Henderson, and though the back made a fine recovery he was not sufficiently agile to prevent the Liverpool centre from recording a brilliant goal. 
The Anfielders clung tenaciously to the lead in the second half of the game, and though West Ham changed their forward formation it availed them little, for they were well held by a half-back line that was now playing with confidence.
Liverpool were fortunate in having a defence that never showed signs of wavering, and Scott, in goal, gave one of his best exhibitions. It was perhaps no surprise that "the Reds" should emerge victorious with such a pedigree, coupled with the fact that the Hammers' had only managed to score a total of 19 goals in 23 games before the New Year. In ten of those fixtures they had failed to score at all.
The fact that the defence had only conceded 24 goals in the same period meant that West Ham's opening spell in the higher grade had not been too traumatic. At the end of the "old year", their record read Won 7 Drawn 8 Lost 8.

SHEFFIELD UNITED
Bramall Lane
2 - 0 (Brown, Gibbins)
1 January 1924
Att: 30,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Gibbins

Moore

Ruffell

As the "Old Year" ended with a 0-2 away defeat at Anfield so the "New Year" began with a similar score line except that on this occasion it was the Hammers who were victorious. 

 

On Tuesday  January 1924 West Ham United travelled to Bramall Lane and a first ever encounter with Sheffield United. "The Blades" had been members of the First Division since 1893 when they gained promotion following their election to Division 2 the previous season. Success had eluded them since their F.A. Cup triumph in 1915 although at the conclusion of the 1923-24 season they were to finish with a certain amount of honour by occupying fifth place in the final standings. However, on this initial meeting of the clubs before a crowd of 30,000 it was goals from Vivian Gibbins and Billy Brown that secured the two points for the Londoners and started the New Year with a very welcomed victory.

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LIVERPOOL
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Moore)
5 January 1924
Att: 25,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Williams

Moore

Ruffell

The following Saturday, League Champions. Liverpool provided the opposition at Upton Park and in another "close encounter" the Irons edged home by a solitary goal from Billy Moore before an attendance of 25,000.

Although the Northerners were having a bad season by their recent standards, it nevertheless was a poignant success for the Hammers and was a further indication of their ability to live in the top grade of English football. At the end of the campaign Liverpool only finished ahead of West Ham in the table by having a superior goal aggregate; both teams having 41 points.

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ABERDARE ATHLETIC : FA Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
5 - 0 (Brown 2 [1 pen], Henderson. Moore, Williams)
12 January 1924
Att: 23,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Williams

Moore

Ruffell

The second weekend of the month found the Hammers drawn at home to Aberdare in a First Round {equivalent to the present Third Round) F.A. Cup tie.

 

Aberdare Athletic, a Welsh side, played in the Southern section of Division III along with such teams as Norwich City, Portsmouth, Queens Park Rangers, Luton Town, Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Watford. Swansea Town and Bristol Rovers.

West Ham were superior in nearly all departments of the game, and after few minutes' play, a brilliant bout of passing ended with Moore shooting a goal for West Ham. After this reverse Aberdare were very persistent and were unlucky not to score on one occasion, when the ball rolled right across the goalmouth. William Henderson, the West Ham right-back, caused a good deal of dissatisfaction among the crowd by his offside tactics.
At half-time, West Ham were leading by three goals to none, two of which had been scored by Brown, one from a penalty kick. Aberdare were unable to turn the tide after the break, and further goals from William Henderson and Billy Williams ensured the Hammers would set up a second-round meeting with Leeds United.
West Ham pressed almost continuously in the second half. Young, the best of the Aberdare forwards, was not given much to do. When he did get the ball, he always looked like scoring. While Aberdare's determination to continue fighting was impressive, it was Williams who stole the show with an outrageous long-range shot that embarrassed visiting goalkeeper Joe Duckworth.
Williams scored a most amazing goal in this half; he shot from a long way out and Duckworth, in attempting to save, slipped up and landed on his back, with the result that the ball bounced over him and into the net. Williams is an improved and improving centre forward and gave the Aberdare backs a great deal of trouble.

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BLACKBURN ROVERS
Ewood Park
0 - 0
19 January 1924
Att: 22,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Williams

Moore

Ruffell

​On their first visit to Blackburn, West Ham United made a very favourable impression, and came very near to inflicting Rovers' second home defeat of the season, but instead having to be content with a goalless draw, in which they had only their lack of accuracy in shooting to blame, particularly in the first half when, adopting the right methods of attack, they attacked repeatedly, but failed at the vital moment.
Williams swept out the ball to the wings in capital style, and first Edwards and the Ruffell made speedy runs which greatly harassed the home defence, except Sewell, who was never seriously extended.
If it were not for West Ham's weakness in attack and their lack of finishing power, they would almost certainly have got the ball into the net but for the unusual happening. Sewell ran well out of his goal to clear his lines, but Edwards, with the ball at his toes, eluded him, and was in the act of rushing towards the unguarded goal when Sewell deliberately pulled him to the ground. The referee promptly awarded a free-kick, just outside the penalty area, but Carter failed to improve upon it.
Hampson certainly served West Ham well in goal, and both Henderson and Young were very sound at the back. The finest forwards on the field was undoubtedly Edwards at outside right. His close dribbling was a delightful as it was clever. He had plenty of pace and craft, and he provided sufficient openings to have won the match.

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BLACKBURN ROVERS
Upton Park
0 - 1
26 January 1924
Att: 20,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Robinson

Williams

Moore

Ruffell

Seven days later it was Rovers who provided once again the opposition in West Ham's thirteenth home League game of the season. Unfortunately it proved to be "unlucky thirteen" for the Irons as the visitors snatched a solitary goal victory. Once again the crowd was about 20,000 strong and meant that so far that season the average attendance had been just over 23,600 for only on one occasion; the match with Nottingham Forest on the Saturday before Christmas, had an attendance fallen below 20,000.
During the month of January 1924 nine players were ever-present in the Hammers' colours. These were Captain and centre-half George Kay, goalkeeper Tommy Hampson, full-backs Billy Henderson and Jack Young, wing halves George Carter and Albert Cadwell, right winger Billy Edwards and the left wing partnership of Billy Moore and Jimmy Ruffell. The consistency of the defence and their knowledge of each other's play as well as their individual ability was once again testament to the fact that during the whole of the month in which they played five games they conceded only one goal.

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LEEDS UNITED : FA Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Kay)
2 February 1924
Att: 30,123

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Brown

Williams

Moore

Ruffell

A crowd of over 30,000 saw the home side pen the Northerners in their own half of the pitch for most of the opening 45 minutes. West Ham's domination during this period was such that they should have had a hatful of goals. However, their midfield superiority was immediately followed by a failure when they got within shooting distance of the Leed's goal.
The Hammers' one success came when Jimmy Ruffell took a corner on the left wing and his flag kick was met by centre half George Kay whose header was pushed away for another corner. This time Ruffell's centre was again met by Kay and the Hammers' captain made no mistake as he headed home into the corner of the net well out of the goalkeeper's reach after 20 mins.
Leed's one opportunity came from a free kick. A rasping drive was turned away by Tommy Hampson who threw himself at full stretch as the ball sped towards the corner of the net.
The second half was a complete antithesis of the first with Leeds becoming more thrustful and purposeful in their approach. The visitors finally equalised with a headed goal from their right winger Coates. The ball came over a crowd of players and first bumped off a shoulder, then struck a player on the hand before finally hitting someone else on the head. It was no surprise that the unsighted Hampson was beaten as the direction of the ball's flight changed three times before reaching the net.
With both teams determined to stop the other it was not surprising that over 40 free kicks were awarded by the referee mostly for excessive zeal rather than deliberate fouling. Although Leeds were now the stronger side the Hammers' were unlucky not to get a penalty when centre forward Billy Williams got clean through and just as he was about to shoot home from ten yards was grabbed by his arm and pulled off the ball. Unfortunately the referee did not see the incident.

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LEEDS UNITED : FA Cup (Second Round Replay)
Elland Road
0 - 1 
6 February 1924
Att: 31,071

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Richards

Brown

Richardson

Moore

Ruffell

Four days later the two teams met again in the replay at Elland Road before a crowd of 32,000. Leeds United began as they had finished in the previous match, creating a lot of pressure, as their forwards pressed the visitor's defence, but their final touch was sadly lacking.
West Ham responded and showed their fighting qualities and were unlucky not to score via Billy Moore just before half-time. With their defence remaining solid the Hammers' nearly took the lead early in the second half when Frank Richardson, who had not played in the first match, was unfortunate with a good shot.
With a quarter-of-an-hour to go Leeds scored the solitary goal that decided they should visit Aston Villa in the next round only themselves to be defeated as Villa marched towards the final and a meeting with Newcastle United.

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
0 - 0
9 February 1924
Att: 30,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Carter

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

JIMMY COLLINS

Hodges

Williams

Ruffell

Returning to League action the following Saturday the Hammers' welcomed to Upton Park North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. Once again a crowd of 30,000 was in attendance.
Neither side played particularly well in the appalling conditions although the Hammers' might have scored twice in the opening 20 minutes when the visitor's defence was very shaky. However conditions underfoot meant that mistakes were made by both defenders and attackers and chances were missed. During this opening period West Ham also claimed three penalties but the referee refused all the trio of appeals although many felt that a trip on Collins would have been given by another official in similar circumstances.
The Tottenham team which included five reserves were delighted with a share of the points at the final whistle whilst the Hammers' fans went home feeling that with a little luck their favourites might have won as they always held the advantage in steadiness in defence although lacking that extra bite in attack.

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HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Leeds Road
1 - 1 (Ruffell)
16 February 1924
Att: 10,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Collins

Brown

Williams

Ruffell

With Huddersfield's ground being too often the cemetery of the hopes of more illustrious teams West Ham's chances were not considered to be too rosy. As expected the home side gave the visitors a roasting in the opening half with inside forward and England international Stephenson creating many chances.
Equal to the task of keeping his goal intact was Hammers' keeper Tommy Hampson who as deputy for the injured Ted Hufton was proving what an excellent class substitute he was. Ably assisted by full-backs Henderson and Young, Hampson's anticipation and handling were perfect and enabled the sides to cross over at the interval all square.
Just after half-time Jimmy Ruffell collected the ball on the half-way line and dodging the Town's defence advanced and finally beat Taylor in the home goal with calm, brilliant deliberation. A further goal should have come, the Hammers' way but Jimmy Collins' powerful drive was somehow cleared.
It looked as though West Ham would bag both of the points but with 15 minutes to go the Town got an equaliser with an angled shot, and a share of the spoils.
It is worth recording that a match report praised Hammers' captain George Kay whose imperturbably prescence makes him worthy of his place even if he never kicks the ball. Such an accolade proves how valuable George was at that time to the Hammers.

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NOTTS COUNTY
County Ground
1 - 1 (Collins)
1 March 1924
Att: 10,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Fletcher

Collins

Moore

Ruffell

Billy Brown's transfer to relegation threatened London rivals Chelsea the previous Thursday had come as a great surprise to the West Ham supporters. The sudden departure of Billy was soon forgotten, however, when his deputy Jimmy Collins, who had made his debut two matches previously opened the scoring. A fine centre from Jimmy Ruffell was met by the 20-year-old Collins who scored with a glorious shot in the first half.
Although Notts attacked persistently after the interval they found the Hammers' defence as sound as usual. It was not until late in the game that the strenuous efforts of the home side were rewarded. West Ham's rearguard conceded a free-kick and County's centre-forward Widdowson headed home to level the scores.
In the closing stages the visitors were unlucky not to draw clear once again as they gave the Notts defence a torrid time forcing three corners in quick succession but nothing came of them. Both sides had to settle for a share of the points.

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NOTTS COUNTY
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Proctor)
8 March 1924
Att: 20,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Proctor

Collins

Moore

Ruffell

A week later a 20,000 crowd saw a repeat performance as far as the final result was concerned but a totally different means of achieving it. The first half began lively enough and once again the Hammers took the lead when Albert Cadwell's intelligent pass reached Norman Proctor who eluded his marker and screwed in a fine shot which beat Iremonger in the County goal. Ironically it was to be the only goal the Durham born Proctor was to score in his seven senior appearances whilst at the Boleyn Ground.
Within fifteen minutes County equalised when Hammers' full back Billy Henderson, who was having a poor game compared to his usual standards, gave the ball to Price "The Magpies" left winger. Eluding Henderson and getting to the goal line the winger centred and in the goalmouth scramble that ensued Tommy Hampson the West Ham goalkeeper was bundled into the back of the net along with the ball by County's Widdowson for his second goal in a week against the Londoners.
The game then deteriorated into a kick and rush spectacle with neither goalkeeper hardly ever seriously challenged. Both Collins; who had played so well the previous week; and Proctor could not make an impression against the Notts defence ably marshalled by centre-half Dinsdale whilst the Hammers' wingers received scant service from any of their team-mates.
The resultant draw meant that West Harn moved into twelfth position in the table with 31 points from 31 games and whilst they had conceded fewer goals than any other team, a mere 28, they also had the unenviable record of scoring only 25 goals showing how much they missed the presence of Vic Watson leading the forward line due to a broken toe.

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EVERTON
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Campbell, Edwards)
15 March 1924
Att: 22,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Collins

JOHN CAMPBELL

Moore

Ruffell

The signing of 21-year-oid John Campbell from Jarrow F.C. meant that he became the ninth player that season to wear the No. 9 shirt in West Ham's search for a goal-scoring centre forward when Everton became the visitors to Upton Park.
Within ten minutes of the start manager Syd King's judgement in plucking the youngster from obscurity in the North Eastern League proved justified. Campbell showed a fine turn of speed sent the ball out to Billy Edwards on the right wing and was in place in the goalmouth to sweep home the winger's centre with a rasping shot.
Everton not to be outdone began to play some delightful football. As the heavy mist, which had shrouded the pitch at the start, began to clear their persistency gained a reward. The Merseysider's right wingers Chedgzey; who was no stranger to Upton Park having played in war-time games for the Hammers; started a movement which brought about the equaliser. He set off down the flank and centred for Cock to lay back his pass to the oncoming Irvine. The Northern Ireland international had a clear run at goal and ran-on before sending a pile-driver of a shot past the exposed Hampson between the Hammers' posts a few minutes before the interval.
During the second half West Ham generally had the better of the play although captain George Kay and his fellow half-backs had to recapture their old form to deny "the Toffeemen" on more than one occasion.
In spite of the many West Ham raids it looked as though the game was going to end in a draw. However, with ten minutes to go Jimrny Ruffell forced a corner. His far post centre was headed home by Edwards to earn a well deserved victory that brought with it two valuable points.

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EVERTON
Goodison Park
1 - 2 (Moore)
22 March 1924
Att: 28,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Proctor

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Seven days later the Hammers' made the long journey to Goodison Park for the return. A goal from Billy Moore gave the Hammers a 25th minute lead which they maintained until the 70th minute when the Everton centre forward Cock levelled the scores. Ten minutes later the Merseysiders' left winger Troup hit a post with his shot and the ball rebounded to his opposite wing partner Chedgzey. The No. 7 struck the ball goalwards and it appeared to strike Hammers' left back Jack Young on the arm. Despite the appeals of the Londoners the referee awarded a penalty which was converted by Chadwick to the delight of the 28,000 crowd.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 3 (Young 2 [2 pens])
27 March 1924
Att: 15,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Proctor

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Returning to Upton Park, five days later the Hammers welcomed Huddersfield Town who in the intervening six weeks since their previous meeting at Leeds Road had pushed themselves into the top three in the table.
The Thursday afternoon game was watched by a crowd of 15,000 who saw a fast and thrilling game with the Hammers playing some inspired football in midfield. Two penalties, both converted by Young, gave the home side a 2-1 lead but once again the inability of the forwards to convert chances in front of goal proved West Ham's undoing.
Centre-forward Campell who had been the hero of the crowd twelve days previous missed a golden opportunity of giving his team a two goal cushion. Receiving the ball three yards out from goal he somehow got flurried, trod on the object, and the chance was lost. Heartened by the miss Huddersfield scored two goals through their centre-forward Charles Wilson to take the points, much against the balance of play, and leapt to the top of the Division One standings.

Neither the Midlanders or the Hammers' were able to raise their game in a dull affair which was not helped by a light ball on a sun drenched fast pitch.
Although West Ham secured the only goal of a featureless game, and moreover, deserved their victory, it cannot be said their performance was an impressive one.
Of the few real incidents that were created the most controversial was that which led to the winning goal. It came after 26 minutes' play, a timely transfer by Moore put Ruffell in possession, and the left-winger sped past Smith to leave Pearson helpless. West Bromwich protested strongly that the scorer was in an offside position when the movement originated.
It was enough to secure the win as the Hammers' half-backs once again proved decisive in shutting out the menace of the opposing inside forward trio from The Hawthorns.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Ruffell)
29 March 1924
Att: 18,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Proctor

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

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WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns
0 - 0
5 April 1924
Att: 12,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Richards

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

As the month of March 1924 had proved to be a period of great activity For the Hammers' so was that of April with another six matches being played. A week after defeating West Bromwich Albion at Upton Park the Hammers' travelled to the Hawthorns for the return in the League fixture schedule. Where the previous game had proved to be dull entertainment for the watching thousands, the second match, although ending goalless, however proved quite an entertaining spectacle for the crowd of 12,000.
The Midlanders made a couple of team changes whilst Dick Richards was included in the West Ham line-up to the exclusion of Norman Procter. The Albion attack was strengthened by the return of Spencer on the right wing but the inclusion of Blood, at centre forward, did not produce the degree of penetration that was hoped for.
It was on the wings that West Brom. were powerful with Byers and Spencer playing magnificently but after a shaky opening period Tommy Harnpson improved and to be an unbeatable last line of defence. With his fellow co-defenders all having a generally stable game the home forwards were not able to capitalise on the opportunities they created. West Ham in the first half could little more than force half-a-dozen corners. After the interval they improved out of all recognition and many present would not have been surprise had they scored. Jimmy Ruffell very nearly accomplished this within a minute of the restart and shots from Billy Moore and John Campbell, later on, went perilously close to taking both points.
On the balance of play neutral observers thought "The Albion" should have won but could not deny that West Ham's stubborn defence and general enterprise deserved the point they earned.

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PRESTON NORTH END
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Edwards, Moore, Watson)
12 April 1924
Att: 18,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Edwards

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Preston North End were the visitors to the Boleyn Ground and a crowd of 18,000 spectators saw the return to our colours of Vic Watson following his six months of absence through injury.
On a muddy pitch the conditions were made more wretched and uncomfortable by pelting April showers of snow, hail and rain. But the crowd who had braved the wintry weather were rewarded by a game full of life with many thrills. West Ham began with unbounded enterprise and kept up the pressure on their visitors.
Right from the first minute the Hammers' created chances with Jimmy Ruffell flashing centres across the face of the Northeners goal. However, the score sheet remained blank for forty minutes, until Ruffell once again taking the ball on the run fired in a shot that the Preston goal keeper could only fist away. Billy Edwards on the other wing banged the ball back into the penalty area and although a defender intervened Vic Watson nipped in and scored from the rebound.
Three minutes later Ruffell sent a nice pass to Billy Moore and the international inside forward added a second. It was no more than the Hammers' deserved when Edwards added a third goal ten minutes into the second half and although Preston headed a late consolation with seven minutes remaining West Ham finished worthy winners.
It was the first time the Hammers' had scored more than two goals in a match since their home win against Nottingham Forest just before Christmas (apart from the 5-0 demolition of Aberdare in the cup).
The two points pushed the Hammers' into tenth place in the table with 38 points from 37 matches played. Their position gave them the distinction of being the highest placed London club as Tottenham Hotspur, who had lost 2-5 at home to Everton, were in sixteenth place whilst Arsenal and Chelsea were in the bottom three in the standings with only Middlesbrough below them.

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PRESTON NORTH END
Deepdale
1 - 2 (Watson)
19 April 1924
Att: 18,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Carter

Cadwell

Edwards

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

The return to Deepdale on Saturday 19th April saw captain George Kay miss his first match of the season with George Carter deputising in the centre half shirt. 
Preston, much involved in the relegation struggle scored twice in the first twelve minutes. The first came from a penalty after handball by Caldwell, who otherwise had a fine match. Hammers had lots of the play but stirling defence by Wade and especially McCall prevented te visitors from scoring until the last few minutes when Vic Watson showed his invaluable worth with a goal.
The two points ensured that the threat of relegation was averted. This only proved to be a temporary respite as at the end of the following campaign they finally dropped to the Second Division with Nottingham Forest.
The Easter soccer programme meant that West Ham had to play three games in four days. Having played Preston in the first of these the Irons welcomed another northern club to Upton Park for the second of these.

SHEFFIELD UNITED
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Campbell 2)
21 April 1924
Att: 15,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Carter

Cadwell

Edwards

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Sheffield United arrived on a warm afternoon with nothing at stake as like as like the Hammers' they held a position in the top half of the table. With so little at stake, apart from the points, the two teams nevertheless delivered up a glorious feast of football for the 15,000 spectators.
Having defeated the visitors by two clear goals at Bramall Lane on New Year's Day the Hammers' were obviously hoping to get an Easter present of two points. Although having 75 percent of the play and creating many opportunities with some brilliant skills the Hammers' could not force home their advantage. The two goals that centre-forward John Campbell scored were cancelled out by two from the Northerner's Johnson and Gillespie, to earn a share of the points.
Injured first team goalkeeper Ted Hufton's comment after watching the match was "It was a game worthy of golden letters".

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
1 - 0 (Campbell)
22 April 1924
Att: 25,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Yews

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

The following day the Hammers' travelled to North London and White Hart Lane for an encounter with Tottenham Hotspur. ln what was described as a poor match, West Ham did enough to deserve to win which they were able to do with a solitary goal from John Campbell.
George Kay returned to the side and marshalled his co-defenders in another faultless display. Although Watson and Moore had a quiet match it was the Hammers' wingers Ruffell and the deputising Tommy Yews who proved the difference with some fast runs down the flanks which caused a great deal of trouble for the Spurs defenders.
The goal came after 75 minutes when Ruffell sent over a cross which was intended to be a centre but at the moment of kicking the ball it struck a defenders foot and spun off at a great speed towards the goal. The swerving ball deceived Blake, in the Tottenham goal, and it struck the crossbar, from the rebound Campbell had the simple task of scoring.
The points meant that the Hammers' had taken another step in consolidating their position in the table whilst showing to all that their appearance in the Cup Final and their promotion the previous season were no flukes.

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MANCHESTER CITY
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Moore)
26 April 1924
Att: 18,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Yews

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Manchester City

arrive late at the

Boleyn Ground

A goal scored after seven minutes by the City did not make for any improvement in the Hammers' ranks but put heart into the visitors attack. Moving the ball down the left wing a cross was sent into the home goalmouth and Johnson the visiting inside left sent in a shot. The ball was dropping under the crossbar as Tommy Hampson managed to stretch up and knock the ball down but was unable to recover before Browell the City No. 9 bundled the rebound home.
The Hammers' attacked with some spirit after this but were unable to apply the finishing touch to several moves. George Kay, the home side's captain and centre-half, put in a great shot that was tipped over whilst Vic Watson sent in a pile driver which only missed by inches. John Campbell also went close and Billy Moore's header forced another excellent save from the Manchester goalkeeper.
Five minutes before the interval success finally came when Tommy Yews centred and Moore's header found the back of the net. The Manchester side might have felt a bit unlucky and disappointed. The Hammers' having scored as they were down to ten men having lost their goalkeeper who had been knocked out in a collision resulting in Elwood, the centre half, taking his place between the posts.
Nevertheless, seven minutes into the second half City regained the lead when indecision in the West Ham defence gifted the visitors what proved to be the winning counter. Although the Hammers' continued to attack they frittered away a number of chances in a disappointing display in the wind-up to the home season in which they had won 10, drawn 6 and lost 5 games scoring 26-17 goals in their first season in the top grade.

MANCHESTER CITY
Maine Road
1 - 2 (Watson)
3 May 1924
Att: 12,000

Hampson

Henderson

Young

Bishop

Kay

Cadwell

Yews

Watson

Campbell

Moore

Ruffell

Seven days later the Hammers' travelled to Maine Road for their final match of the season and once again Manchester City ended as 2-1 victors. Up to the interval the visitors scarcely provided the 12,000 spectators with a thrill and although there was a little more life in the play afterwards the quality of the football was never above a very moderate standard. Neither side impressed as City were continually defeating themselves by infringement of the offside law and further than that could not seem to shoot. At the other end Moore and Jimmy Ruffell had West Ham's best opportunities but it was the home side who finally broke the deadlock when a centre was headed home. This looked like being sufficient to give the home side an interval advantage but Vic Watson accepted an opportunity provided by Ruffell to equalise.
The feature of the second half was the goalkeeping of Tommy Hampson who against the persistent raids of the home forwards rendered his side great service. He made several fine saves but was finally beaten in the 67 minute by a shot that did not give him the remotest chance in saving. A free kick on the edge of the penalty area was driven home, despite the West Ham "wall", into the top right hand corner of the net past the unsighted goalkeeper. Spasmodic attacks led to chances for Watson, Moore and Ruffell but City defended resolutely ensuring that the win pushed them past the Hammers in the final table into eleventh place compared to the Londoners thirteenth position.
Both teams looked forward to the "close season" with relish at the conclusion of what had been a tough baptism for West Ham United in their debut in the highest grade of English soccer.

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