WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1939-40 Regional League South 'C'
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Barrett, Foxall)
10 February 1940
Att: 7,500
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Wood
Foxall
Following on their brilliant 5-2 victory at Charlton on Thursday, West Ham, playing at home on Saturday, proved too good for the Spurs, and made a capital start in the second Football League Regional competition, The game did not nearly approach the standard of most of the previous ones played at Upton Park, but there was no doubt about the superiority of the Hammers, whose margin of victory would have been much greater but for a number of astonishing failures in front of goal.
In seven minutes West Ham went ahead as the result of some nice work by Fenton and Foreman. The former's pass found the centre-forward accurately and he surprised the Tottenham defenders by taking the ball out to the right and then switching it across an unprotected goal for Foxall to tap into the net.
Midway through the first half the Hammers scored their second goal when they were awarded a free kick Just outside the penalty area. Barrett took the kick faced by a barrier of Spurs' players protecting the goal, but they unsighted Hooper, the goalkeeper, who did not see the ball until it rested in the back of the net from the half-back's tremendous drive.
BRENTFORD
Griffin Park
3 - 4 (Small 2, Barrett [pen])
17 February 1940
Att: 1,885
Conway
Bicknell
Chalkley
Barrett
Walker R.
Walker C.
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Curtis (Guest)
Foxall
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Foreman 3, Small)
24 February 1940
Att: 1,800
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Fenton
Walker R.
Corbett N.
Small
Curtis
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
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MILLWALL
The Den
0 - 4
2 March 1940
Att: 10,857
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Foxall
Small
Foreman
Fenton
Wood
REPORT:
FULHAM
Upton Park
5 - 0 (Foreman 2, Foxall 2, Fenton)
9 March 1940
Att: 8,000
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Curtis
Foxall
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Highbury
3 - 2 (Fenton 2, Foreman)
16 March 1940
Att: 10,731
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
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SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
6 - 1 (Foreman 2, Small 2, Fenton, Goulden)
22 March 1940
Att: 8,000
Medhurst
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Fenton, Foxall)
23 March 1940
Att: 8,000
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
The Easter Monday fixture kicks off at the usual time of 3:20p.m.. This is because the B.B.C. Wish to broadcast the Second-half commencing at 4:15p.m.
For 80 minutes of this match at Upton Park, strong defences frustrated all attempts of the forwards to score, and then in the last ten minutes, West Ham netted twice to win in a fashion they hardly deserved. In a rather dull first half, honours had been fairly even but for a period after the interval the play ran distinctly in favour of Charlton, and they would have had no more than their deserts had they scored. To a large extent they had themselves to blame, for their finishing efforts were woefully weak although, on the other hand, Conway who generally kept a safe goal, was twice very lucky to escape defeat.
Generally, it was the defences that attracted most attention and against solid tackling and splendid covering tactics the forwards had to work desperately hard to secure anything resembling a clear shooting chance. Outstanding, were the respective centre-halves, Walker and Oakes and the opposing centre-forwards, Owen and Foreman, had a very lean afternoon. It was hard luck on Oakes that, after scarcely putting a foot wrong throughout, he should, just before the close, give away West Ham's second goal. Fenton and Goulden for West Ham and Welsh for Charlton were the best forwards, and Smith for Charlton and Cockroft for the Hammers were prominent in the half-back lines.
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Fenton 2)
25 March 1940
Att: 8,000
Medhurst
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
Jim Barrett, West Ham's veteran heavy, weight half-back, had the unusual experience of missing from a penalty kick at Upton Park on Monday. His shot, a powerful affair, was directed straight at the goalkeeper, and the ball struck his knees and rebounded into the field of play. Had the shot scored, it would have given West Ham the lead, with less than 20 minutes left for play. At the time the score stood two ail. Had the Hammers won, they would have got more than they deserved, for their display was a disappointing one
Having won at Southampton on Good Friday by the convincing score of six goals to one, the return game at home looked a good thing for West Ham, but, as it turned out they were nearly always fighting to save the game against a side that played fast, and at times, intelligent football. There was no denying Southampton's superiority during the first half, and they fully deserved their lead of 2-1 at the interval. They were a shade too quick on the ball for the Hammers, and the fact that they had the advantage of a stiffish breeze did not altogether account for their advantage. Their forwards, among whom the left wing; pair, Perrett and Bradley, were outstanding, had better ideas of position play than the home attack, which was not seen at anything approaching its best. There were too many bad passes for It to be effective. Foreman was well covered by Scott, the opposing centre-half, and it was left to Fenton to do most of the forcing work. He was easily West Ham's best forward.
CHELSEA
Stamford Bridge
10 - 3 (Small 4, Fenton 3, Foreman 2, Foxall)
30 March 1940
Att: 8,645
Gregory
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Masson (Guest)
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Curtis (Guest)
Foxall
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
6 - 2 (Foreman 4, Bicknell [pen], Goulden)
6 April 1940
Att: 15,000
Medhurst
Bicknell
Walker C.
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Masson (Guest)
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
ARSENAL
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Foreman, Macaulay)
8 April 1940
Att: 8,000
Medhurst
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Corbett N.
Foxall
Macaulay
Foreman
Curtis (Guest)
Gore
REPORT:
BRENTFORD
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Foreman)
13 April 1940
Att: 8,000
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Masson (Guest)
Walker R.
Cockroft
Foxall
Fenton
Foreman
Macaulay
Gore
REPORT:
CHELSEA : War Cup First Round - 1st leg
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Fenton, Macaulay, O'Hare [og])
20 April 1940
Att: 15,200
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Cockroft
Walker R.
Masson (Guest)
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Macaulay
Foxall
REPORT:
CHELSEA : War Cup First Round - 2nd leg
Stamford Bridge
2 - 0 (Foreman, Small)
27 April 1940
Att: 14,897
Medhurst
Bicknell
Walker C.
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Upton Park
4 - 2 (Forman 2, Goulden, Wilkins)
29 April 1940
Att: 5,500
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Foxall
Wilkins (Guest)
Foreman
Goulden
Hobbis (Guest)
REPORT:
LEICESTER CITY : War Cup Second Round 1st-leg
Filbert Street
1 - 1 (Macaulay)
4 May 1940
Att: 6,320
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Wood
Foxall
REPORT:
LEICESTER CITY : War Cup Second Round 2nd-leg
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Foreman 2, Foxall)
11 May 1940
Att: 15.500
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Fenton
Foreman
Wood
Chapman
REPORT:
Sorry No Image
PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
1 - 1 (Barrett [pen])
13 May 1940
Att: 3,000
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Foxall
Wilkins (Guest)
Foreman
Goulden
Hobbis (Guest)
REPORT:
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN : War Cup Third Round
Leeds Road
3 - 3 (Foreman, Foxall, Macaulay)
18 May 1940
Att: 7,550
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Barrett
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN : War Cup Third Round Replay
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Foreman, Foxall, Macaulay)
22 May 1040
Att: 20,000
Conway
Bicknell
Scott
Fenton
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
BIRMINGHAM CITY : War Cup Fourth Round
Upton Park
4 - 2 (Foreman, Goulden, Macaulay, Small)
25 May 1940
Att: 18,500
Conway
Forde
Walker C.
Fenton
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
Birmingham in London for the second week in succession went down at Upton Park after a brilliant performance the previous visit, when they knocked Arsenal out of the Cup.
Though Birmingham drew first blood, West Ham crossed over with a goal lead, but as in the Arsenal game the Birmingham team showed great fighting spirit in the second half, and there were times when they had the home defenders rattled. West Ham were attacking early, and their forwards showed good understanding. A foul on Foreman in the final minute gave them a free-kick just outside the penalty area, but Foxall’s pass went astray. Gouldn then cleverly put Foxall through, but he was offside.
After 18 minutes Brown got possession in the middle of the field, and he passed straight up to Dearson who tapped the ball on to centre-forward Trigg, who scorred to give Birmingham the leadagainst the run of play. Two minutes later a short pass by Fenton to Small and the ball was across the Birmingham goal. Wheeler partly saved, but Foreman the trustful home team leader, got his head to the ball and put it in. Birmingham were not often round the home team’s goal before the interval, and when they were their forwards were not so dangerous asWest Ham’s.
The combination beteen Goulden and Foxall was particularly outstanding and Bye and Quinton rarely got the better of them. After 38 minutes Goulden’s pass into the centre found Cockroft and he sent in adrive. Wheeler got it away, but Macaulay scored from the rebound.
With the resumption Birmingham staged a short revival, but inside ninr minutes of this half Goulden put Foreman through and his shot hit the post but the ball went out to Small, who scored. Brown, the Birmingham outside right who did well in the first half, put in a shot to beat Conway after 18 minutes of the second period, and Birmingham still had a chance. Goulden however, with a grand drive four minutes later completely beat Wheeler.
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
1 - 2 (Barrett [pen])
27 May 1940
Att: 5,000
Conway
Bicknell
Roles (Guest)
Barrett
Walker R.
Masson (Guest)
Robinson (Guest)
Chapman (Guest)
Brown A. Guest)
Green G. (Guest)
Foxall
REPORT:
FULHAM : Ward Cup Semi-Final
Stamford Bridge
4 - 3 (Foxall, Goulden, Small, Brown [og])
1 June 1940
Att: 32,799
Conway
Forde
Walker C.
Fenton
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
MILLWALL
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Foreman)
3 June 1940
Att: 5,000
Conway
Forde
Hapgood (Guest)
Barrett
Walker R.
Green G.
Drake (Guest)
Curtis (Guest)
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Valley
0 - 0
5 June 1940
Att: 4,000
Burke (Guest)
Barrett
Smith T. (Guest)
Hapgood (Guest)
Joy (Guest)
Howe (Guest)
Drake (Guest)
Richardson (Guest)
Jinks (Guest)
Jones (Guest)
Smith R. (Guest)
For the last match of the league season, West Ham United fielded only one of their own players - Veteran Jim Barrett - at the Valley, the game resulted in a goalless draw
BLACKBURN ROVERS : War Cup Final
Wembley Stadium
1 - 0 (Small)
8 June 1940
Att: 42,399
Conway
Bicknell
Walker C.
Fenton
Walker R.
Cockroft
Small
Macaulay
Foreman
Goulden
Foxall
Members of the evacuated B.E.F., many of them in hospital blue and white, were among the 43,000 spectators who saw West Ham United win the Football League War Cup final at Wembley on Saturday by the only goal of the match. The last time the Hammers were at the Stadium was in 1923, when they took part in that first sensational final there for the F.A. Cup, and were beaten by Bolton Wanderers by two goals to none. There was nothing sensational about the substitute final on Saturday, and perhaps the most remarkable thing about it was that, despite the bitter times, the intimate little ceremonies that always provide interest for the spectators were carried through as usual. There was the presentation of the members of the teams to the guest of honour — on this occasion Mr. A. V. Alexander, the First Lord of the Admiralty — the playing and singing of the National Anthem, with the addition this time of that of our French Allies, and finally the parade of the players to the Royal box for the presentation of the trophy and medals by Mr. Alexander The only difference from the usual atmosphere was the prolonged cheers that greeted the B.K.F. party when they entered the arena and took seats provided for them.
In the match itself there was a keen and hard struggle, with the Hammers defending grimly in the closing stages, to hold on to the slender advantage they had gained in the first half. For nearly half an hour their defence battled against determined opponents, who threw everything into attack on the principle that they had everything to gain and nothing to lose, but an equally determined set of defenders ultimately emerged victorious. In this struggle two Hammers, named Walker, one Richard and the other Charles, played a great part for their side, and the former, at centre-half, was the outstanding defender of the match. It was seldom that Weddle, the Rovers' centre-forward, could escape his attentions.
Taking the match as a whole there was little to choose between the teams. West Ham held the balance of attack in the first half, and deserved their lead at the interval, but later in the play it certainly appeared that the Rovers would gain the equalizer as the result of their efforts. That they failed wag a tribute to the steadiness and strength of the Hammers' defence, despite the fact that Bicknell, the captain, felt the weakness of an injured knee practically throughout. That goal scored by Small after 35 minutes proved to be the all-important one.
West Ham's forwards, with Macaulay and Goulden as the chief strategists, and supported by two grand attacking wing halves in Fenton and Cockroft, with their clever short passing, played the better football for an hour, but then they began to tire, and the long swinging movements of the Rovers' front line began to tell. Weddle tried hard to force a passage through the middle, but he had not the support from his inside wingers that Foreman had from Macaulay and Goulden, and the most danger to the West Ham goal came from the two wingers, Rogers and Guest. The Rovers, like the Hammers, had their scoring chances, but there were not many for either side, a tribute to the fine covering work by both sets of defenders. Pryde, the Blackburn centre-half, ran R. Walker very closely for chief honours in defensive Play.
