WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1947-48 Football League Second Division
Manager : Charlie Paynter
The Hammers found themselves losing 3–0 after 30 minutes at Bradford Park Avenue on the opening day of the season, and were finally beaten 4–1. Two tough home and away clashes with Millwall followed, which both ended 1–1. It was a memorable debut for left-winger Ken Tucker as he scored a hat-trick in the 4–0 home win against Chesterfield. The following week at Newcastle there were 55,767 to see the Hammers narrowly lose 1–0, after which there was an unbeaten run of seven games. West Ham were sixth in the league when they faced Sheffield Wednesday in two Christmas encounters. The Yorkshire club proved too strong, winning 5–3 at home and beating the Hammers 4–1 in the return at Upton Park.
The FA Cup brought an away tie with Blackburn Rovers where the teams drew 0–0. The Lancashire side won the replay 4–2 after extra time. On their travels there were excellent 1–0 victories for West Ham at Coventry City and at league leaders Birmingham City. But at home both West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United won 2–0 to leave the Hammers in eighth place.
The Easter fixtures gave the Hammers a double over Cardiff City, where Bill Stephens scored a hat-trick in the 3–0 win at Ninian Park. On Easter Monday he scored again in the 4–2 win at the Boleyn Ground. In April it was a disaster at Chesterfield, with the home side scoring three goals in the final six minutes to give them a 6–0 victory. The season ended with a run of three undefeated games to leave the Hammers in sixth place with a mostly settled side. Four players – goalkeeper Ernie Gregory, defenders Steve Forde and Norman Corbett, together with forward Eric Parsons – were ever-present.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue
1 - 4 (Walker 40')
23 August 1947
Att: 14,523
Gregory
JACK YEOMANSON
Forde
Corbett N.
Banner
Walker R.
Woodgate
Parsons
Neary
Wright
Bainbridge
REPORT:
Frank Neary rushes the goalkeeper
Arthur Banner heads clear
MILLWALL
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Woodgate 88')
25 August 1947
Att: 25,741
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Banner
Walker R.
Woodgate
Parsons
Neary
Wood
Bainbridge
West Ham’s task was made considerably harder by the loss of Ken Bainbridge before the interval, and there’s no disguising the impact. Any side reduced to ten men is bound to look a little ragged, and while that alone doesn’t excuse the chances that went begging, it certainly shaped the rhythm of the afternoon.
Local derbies are usually expected to crackle with excitement, but every so often the occasion smothers the football. Monday’s meeting fell squarely into that category. The tension was there, the noise was there, but the fluent play never quite arrived. Both the Lions and the Hammers carved out openings that might have settled the contest, yet neither could summon the decisive touch when it mattered.
Even so, the general feeling among those who watched the game was that a draw was the fairest outcome. Millwall had their moments, West Ham had theirs, and with Bainbridge off the field the lads showed commendable resolve to stay in the fight. The equaliser may have come well into the second half, but it was no late stroke of fortune - it was the reward for persistence, discipline, and a refusal to let the match drift away.
In the end, both points might have been claimed by either side, but sharing them felt the most honest reflection of a derby that promised fire yet delivered something altogether more cautious.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Hutchinson 12' [og], Parsons 85')
30 August 1947
Att: 19,416
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Walker R.
Corbett N.
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Hall
Wood
REPORT:
MILLWALL
The Den
1 - 1 (Small 88')
1 September 1947
Att: 15,961
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
TOMMY MORONEY
Parsons
Hall
Small
Proudlock
Wood
There was a sizeable and spirited contingent of Hammers supporters packed into the Den, and they were treated to a far livelier contest than the drab affair served up the previous Monday. Both sides carved out anxious moments, both rattled the woodwork after the interval, and the game swung with enough urgency to keep every throat raw and every heart thumping.
Yet to anyone with an eye for the game’s finer points, one truth was plain: had West Ham come away empty‑handed, it would have been a grave injustice. The equaliser may have arrived in the dying minutes, but the reward was no smash‑and‑grab — it was earned, deserved, and overdue.
Millwall’s approach was as direct as the old ground itself: long balls launched downfield, trusting the hard pitch, the feather‑light ball, and the glaring sun to unsettle our back line. For a spell in the first half it worked, and their goal — a fierce drive from outside the penalty area — was struck with undeniable quality.
But after the break the pattern shifted. West Ham’s approach play tightened, the passing grew crisper, and the pressure began to mount. The finishing still lacked a little polish, but the intent was unmistakable. Wave after wave of claret‑and‑blue attacks pushed Millwall deeper, and by the time the equaliser finally came, it felt less like a reprieve and more like justice served.
DONCASTER ROVERS
Belle Vue
0 - 1
6 September 1947
Att: 21,198
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Small
Proudlock
Wood
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Parsons 62')
8 September 1947
Att: 25,732
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Hall
Proudlock
Wood
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Wood 3', Hall 28')
13 September 1947
Att: 20,709
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Neary
Wood
Wright
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
2 - 2 (Parsons 60', Wood 84')
15 September 1947
Att: 33,415
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Parker
Parsons
Travis
Proudlock
Wood
REPORT:
BURY
Gigg Lane
2 - 1 (Proudlock 28', Wood 67')
20 September 1947
Att: 17,488
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Proudlock
Wood
REPORT:
COVENTRY CITY
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Proudlock 20')
27 September 1947
Att: 27,087
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Proudlock
Wood
REPORT:
CHESTERFIELD
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Tucker 35', 63', 73', Proudlock 88')
4 October 1947
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Proudlock
KEN TUCKER
Ken Tucker, the 21‑year‑old outside‑left drafted in for the injured Jack Wood, announced himself in League football with a debut to remember - a hat‑trick that will be talked about in East London for some time. Yet for all the sparkle of his finishing, the victory was not quite as emphatic as the scoreline suggests. Chesterfield’s misfortune played no small part in shaping the afternoon.
Their centre‑forward, Howsam, was forced off after just 25 minutes with a damaged ankle. He gamely reappeared after the interval, but could scarcely hobble, and within minutes he was gone for good. His withdrawal marked the moment the balance tipped decisively in West Ham’s favour. Up to that point the match had been brisk, lively, and evenly contested, with both forward lines testing Gregory and Middleton in turn.
Ten minutes after Howsam’s retirement, the breakthrough arrived - and even then it owed something to luck. Milburn, who had been the outstanding defender on the field, slipped at the crucial moment as he shaped to clear. Tucker pounced instantly, lifting the ball coolly over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net. It was a finish of real composure, and it shifted the initiative firmly towards the Hammers.
Chesterfield, to their credit, defended with admirable grit, and it took until the 28th minute of the second half for West Ham to strike again. This time Tucker rose to meet a corner from Woodgate, guiding a firm header past Middleton. Eleven minutes later he completed his hat‑trick, darting between a hesitant defence and the stranded Milburn to reach a loose ball and roll it into an unguarded net.
With four minutes remaining, Proudlock added a fourth. His first‑time drive seemed to be safely gathered by Middleton, but the ball twisted out of the goalkeeper’s grasp and spun agonisingly over the line.
It was, in the end, a handsome victory - but one shaped as much by Chesterfield’s cruel injury misfortune as by West Ham’s attacking verve. Even so, Tucker’s debut will stand as the shining memory of the afternoon: opportunistic, composed, and decisive.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
St James' Park
0 - 1
11 October 1947
Att: 55,767
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Proudlock
Tucker
West Ham produced plenty of good football at St James’ Park, moving the ball with confidence and showing the composure of a side unbeaten in six. But all their craft counted for nothing on the scoreboard, as Newcastle United snatched the points with a solitary goal born more of misfortune than design.
The decisive moment came when Dick Walker and Ernie Gregory collided while dealing with a routine ball. In the confusion it dropped invitingly at the feet of Milburn — and “Wor Jackie” was never one to pass up a gift of that kind. One swing of his boot, and the Hammers’ proud unbeaten run was suddenly under threat.
To make matters worse, Eric Parsons picked up an ankle knock that left him struggling, further blunting West Ham’s attacking edge. Even so, the side continued to play with purpose, pushing forward whenever the chance arose and refusing to let the setback dictate the pattern of the match.
But Newcastle, buoyed by their slice of luck, tightened their grip and held firm. West Ham’s approach play remained tidy, their spirit undimmed, yet the final touch eluded them on a day when the margins were painfully fine.
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Upton Park
0 - 0
18 October 1947
Att: 32,228
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Proudlock
Wright
Tight defences dominated the exchanges at Upton Park, and a goalless draw with Birmingham City was the almost inevitable result. Indeed, the man of the match was the referee - B. Mervyn Griffiths - who earned special praise in our subsequent report as giving one of the finest exhibitions seen here for many a day!
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns
2 - 1 (Wright 4', 9')
25 October 1947
Att: 37,764
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Wright
Tucker
REPORT:
BARNSLEY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Moroney 1', Small 69')
1 November 1947
Att: 27,877
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
WrightT
ucker
West Ham were the sharper, stronger side throughout, and for long spells the match felt firmly in our grip. A late easing of the throttle allowed Barnsley to close the gap, but the scoreline flattered them more than it reflected the balance of play.
No single player needs singling out after such a wholehearted team display, yet it’s impossible not to salute Tommy Moroney. His first goal in claret and blue was richly deserved - the perfect reward for the relentless energy and commitment he’s shown in every minute since arriving at the start of the season.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
1 - 1 (Parsons 44')
8 November 1947
Att: 29,477
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Travis
Wright
Wood
REPORT:
LUTON TON
Upton Park
0 - 0
15 November 1947
Att: 30,535
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Travis
Wright
Wood
REPORT:
BRENTFORD
Griffin Park
1 - 1 (Small 78')
22 November 1947
Att: 24,105
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Hall
Tucker
REPORT:
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Woodgate [89' pen])
29 November 1947
Att: 22,860
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Wilson
Small
Wright
Leicester City arrived at Upton Park and gave the fifth‑placed Hammers more trouble than expected, battling their way to a 1–1 draw. Our unbeaten home record survived only thanks to a last‑minute equaliser, and on the balance of play we would have been desperately unlucky to come away with nothing.
There was added interest in the debut of Ron Wilson, switched to centre‑forward after his earlier outings at wing‑half, and he settled gamely into the role.
Off the field, the post‑war landscape was still plain to see. More than two‑and‑a‑half years after the end of hostilities, we were still waiting for permission to replace the stand roofs destroyed in the Blitz. Today, of course, safety regulations seem to move at lightning pace - a far cry from the red tape of 1947.
LEEDS UNITED
Elland Road
1 - 2 (Wright 60')
6 December 1947
Att: 21,866
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Banner
Walker R.
Woodgate
Parsons
Wilson
Wright
Wood
REPORT:
FULHAM
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Wright 19', Parsons 24', Moroney 68')
13 December 1947
Att: 27,332
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
BILL STEPHENS
Wright
DON WADE
REPORT:
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Upton Park
0 - 0
20 December 1947
Att: 24,412
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Hillsborough
3 - 5 (Corbett 40', Woodgate 59', Parsons 71')
26 December 1947
Att: 37,557
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Banner
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
Sheffield Wednesday "went nap" at Hillsborough, winning 5-3 and registering the highest score to date against us in the 1947-48 season. It was obviously an end-to-end game! More bad luck befell us on the following day, when we played the return at Upton Park.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
1 - 4 (Stephens 66')
27 December 1947
Att: 28,480
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Banner
Small
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Moroney
Wade
REPORT:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
1 - 2 (Woodgate 59')
3 January 1948
Att: 26,141
Gregory
Devlin
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Small
Wade
REPORT:
BLACKBURN ROVERS : FA Cup (Third Round)
Ewood Park
0 - 0
10 January 1948
Att: 32,500
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Hall
Stephens
Wade
REPORT:
BLACKBURN ROVERS : FA Cup (Third Round Replay)
Upton Park
2 - 4 (Parsons 22', Stephens 75')
17 January 1948
Att: 30,000
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Corbett N.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Small
Stephens
Wade
REPORT:
DONCASTER ROVERS
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Parsons 52' 67' [pen])
24 January 1948
Att: 17,082
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Corbett N.
ERIC ARMSTRONG
Parsons
Dunn
Travis
Wade
Woodgate
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
1 - 3 (Wright 30')
31 January 1948
Att: 20,039
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wade
Wright
REPORT:
BURY
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Forde 13', Woodgate 66')
7 February 1948
Att: 19,247
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
COVENTRY CITY
Highfield Road
1 - 0 (Wright 50')
14 February 1948
Att: 24,851
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
Postponed : Snow
CHESTERFIELD
Saltergate
21 February 1948
Chesterfield's Supporters Club "THE SPIRE-ITES"
Issued there own version of the match programme
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Upton Park
0 - 2
28 February 1948
Att: 33,788
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
BIRMINGHAM CITY
St Andrews
1 - 0 (Dunn 29')
6 March 1948
Att: 43,709
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Dunn
Wade
REPORT:
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Upton Park
0 - 2
13 March 1948
Att: 25,170
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Parsons
Dunn
Stephens
Proudlock
Woodgate
REPORT:
BARNSLEY
Oakwell
1 - 1 (Parsons 15')
20 March 1948
Att: 18,905
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Hall
Wright
REPORT:
CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park
3 - 0 (Stephens ?', ?', ?')
26 March 1948
Att: 41,700
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Stephens 6')
27 March 1948
Att: 22,102
Gregory
Cater
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Parker
Dunn
Goalkeeper Shortt saves from Parsons
REPORT:
CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
4 - 2 (Parsons 6' [pen], Stephens 22', Wright 35', 60')
29 March 1948
Att: 31,667
Gregory
Cater
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Yeomanson
Wright
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
0 - 0
3 April 1948
Att: 15,059
Gregory
Cater
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Yeomanson
Wright
REPORT:
CHESTERFIELD
Recreation Ground
0 - 6
7 April 1948
Att: 11,914
Gregory
Cater
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Yeomanson
Wade
REPORT:
Single sheet supplement to the main programme
BRENTFORD
Upton Park
0 - 1
10 April 1948
Att: 21,471
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wade
Wright
REPORT:
LEICESTER CITY
Filbert Street
3 - 1 (Hall 12', Woodgate 14', Wade 17')
17 April 1948
Att: 25,156
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Hall
Wade
REPORT:
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Parsons 13', Woodgate 55')
24 April 1948
Att: 13,549
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Wade
Bainbridge
The defining moments of West Ham’s win over Leeds came early, with Gregory producing two astonishing first‑half saves - one from Hindle, the other from Chisholm - that kept the Hammers alive. Had either effort gone in, the afternoon might well have swung Leeds’ way.
Instead, West Ham struck after 13 minutes. Bainbridge, making his first senior appearance since his early‑season injury, delivered a pinpoint corner, and Parsons rose to head it home. On the balance of play, the lead was generous; Leeds had shown the greater fluency and purpose up to that point.
Their equaliser on 32 minutes was no more than they deserved. Chisholm, lively throughout at inside‑left, drove a low shot neatly into the corner. Leeds shaded the first half, but after the interval West Ham found more bite in attack, forcing the visitors onto the defensive.
Fearnley kept Leeds level with a smart stop from Stephens, but ten minutes into the half the pressure told. A throw‑in, a clever touch from Stephens, and Woodgate seized his chance, drilling home what proved to be the winner.
Leeds still had openings: Wakefield tested Gregory, and Hindle broke clear only to drag his shot wide. But West Ham held firm, and those early saves - the foundation of the victory - loomed ever larger as the final whistle sounded.
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
1 - 1 (Hall 55')
1 May 1948
Att: 15,798
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett N.
Walker R.
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Stephens
Hall
Bainbridge
REPORT:
