WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1948-49 Football League South Division
Manager : Charlie Paynter
The opening home game with Lincoln City ended 2–2, with the luckless Bill Stephens breaking his leg, after which he never played again. There was only one victory in the first seven games but form began to improve in September. Successive home games saw Plymouth Argyle beaten 3–0 followed by a 1–0 win against London rivals Tottenham, where Almer Hall scored the solitary goal. After six successive away games without a goal, Ken Wright scored at Queens Park Rangers. The one goal was not enough as the Hammers lost 2–1. The team fared better on their travels in November, winning 3–1 at both Bradford Park Avenue and Barnsley. The Christmas period brought a double over Leeds United, with Ken Wright scoring twice in both games.
For the third season running the Hammers were knocked out of the FA Cup at the first attempt. This time it was Luton Town who won 3–1 at their Kenilworth Road ground. To increase the goal tally, centre-forward Bill Robinson was signed from Charlton and promptly scored on his debut at West Bromwich Albion. The home faithful were treated to some good displays, with seven successive home wins including a 4–1 victory against Leicester City, where Robinson scored a hat-trick. After such a good home record it was a shock when the final home game with Nottingham Forest was lost 5–0. Winger Eric Parsons was ever-present as the campaign ended with West Ham finishing in seventh place.
Note:
Players in BOLD made their debuts for West Ham United
LINCOLN CITY
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Wright 50'. McGowan 85'
21 August 1948
Att: 31,079
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Wood
Stephens
DANNY McGOWAN
Wright
West Ham resuced a point five minutes from the finish, when newcomer Danny McGowan dived to head into the Lincoln net. So justice wqas done, for they had struugled for nearly an hour and a quarter without centre forwardStephens, who broke his left shin-bone trying to wipe out Lincoln's early lead. But in that odd quarter of an hour when both sides were at full strength Lincoln did look more impressive. Their forwards worked well together, ran into the open spaces, and progressed with short passes and well-placed centres. The halves tackled and cleared with precision, and the goalkeeper almost had a holiday.
West Ham have a centre forward problem. Neither Stephens nor his successors, Wood and Wright, could get past Johnson, who might easlily have coped with them collectively as well as individually. Parsons was a s clever as of old - sometimes, but had strange lapses of concentration. But it is not fair to criticise too hashly - they were too badly upset by Stephens; injury. Fortunately, Corbett and Walker were there to prevent the rearguard being overrun. Parr, with a right-foot ground shot, gave Lincoln the lead after 14 minutes, Wright rounded off a three-man movement to restore WestHam's equality and equanimity soon after the interval, and Windle shattered it five minutes later. Then came McGowan's grandstand-finish header.
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Hillsborough
0 - 3
23 August 1948
Att: 34,342
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Wood
Hall
McGowan
Wright
REPORT:
CHESTERFIELD
Recreation Ground
0 - 0
28 August 1948
Att: 16,489
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Wood
Hall
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Bainbridge 22', Parsons 85')
30 August 1948
Att: 24,607
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
JOHNNY CARROLL
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Hall 89')
4 September 1948
Att: 28,065
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Parsons
Hall
Carroll
Moroney
Bainbridge
REPORT:
COVENTRY CITY
Highfield Road
0 - 1
6 September 1948
Att: 16,515
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Carroll
Moroney
Bainbridge
REPORT:
BURY
Gigg Lane
0 - 2
11 September 1948
Att: 23,754
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Parsons
Hall
Carroll
Moroney
Woodgate
REPORT:
COVENTRY CITY
Upton park
2 - 2 (Chapman 80', Cox 84' [og])
13 September 1948
Att: 14,400
Gregory
Yeomanson
Cater
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Carroll
Hall
Woodgate
REPORT:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Yeomanson 2', Wright 30', Chapman 56')
18 September 1948
Att: 22,256
Gregory
Yeomanson
Cater
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Hall 70')
25 September 1948
Att: 38,132
Gregory
Yeomanson
Devlin
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
West Ham United made a poor start to the season, but a large crowd of 38,132 made their way to the Boleyn Ground for a derby that ended 1-0 in the hosts' favour. The match-winner was the exotically-named Almeric Hall, a Hove-born forward who had guested regularly for the Hammers during the Second World War before completing his transfer from Bradford City in December 1945.
BRENTFORD
Griffin Park
0 - 0
2 October 1948
Att: 31,369
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
REPORT:
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Ewood Park
0 - 0
9 October 1948
Att: 24,037
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Corbett
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
REPORT:
CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Parsons 59', Chapman 67', Wright 78')
16 October 1948
Att: 29,433
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road
1 - 2 (Wright 22')
23 October 1948
Att: 27,950
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Chapman
Wright
Hall
Woodgate
Half time proved to be 'the great divide' at Loftus Road. Up to the interval West Ham played cleverly and it was no more than they deserved when Wright gave them the lead in the 23rd minute - incidentally scoring his side's first away goal of the season. Rangers never looked like scoring. Then came the change. After five minutes of the second half Jefferson took a free kick for a foul on Hatton and placed the ball neatly in the goalmouth for Hatton himself to head it in.
West Ham continued to play the more constructive football, but the home defence held out and with ten minutes to go a second goal came the way of the Rangers. Jefferson again placed a free kick nicely and this time Hudson put the ball past Gregory.
LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
0 - 1
30 October 1948
Att: 28,132
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
JOHN DICK
Woodgate
REPORT:
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Park Avenue
3 - 2 (Hall 46', Parsons 63', Woodgate 70' [pen])
6 November 1948
Att: 15,913
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Dick
Woodgate
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Woodgate 25')
13 November 1948
Att: 34,538
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Dick
Woodgate
REPORT:
BARNSLEY
Oakwell
3 - 2 (Wright 1', Woodgate 47', Walker 63')
20 November 1948
Att: 20,359
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Dick
Woodgate
REPORT:
GRIMSBY TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Wright 31')
27 November 1948
Att: 18,300
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Dick
Woodgate
Abandoned Fog: 51 minutes
“WHAT are you doing back here?” asked Grimsby Town left half and skipper Ernie Forrest as inside left Jimmy McGowan loomed up out of the fog. "I've scored Ernie" Jimmy's reply! And that as much as I and about 20,000 other spectators, apart from few of the 22 men on the field know about Grimsby Town's first goal against West Ham United at Upton Park.
It was a wonder the game lasted 50 minutes before the referee abandoned the match owing to fog with Grimsby leading 2-1 After about five minutes' play white curtain dropped and rarely lifted sufficiently for the identity of anonymous silhouettes to be ascertained. After the "oo’s" and “oh's" of the goal-end crowds had signified hectic moments in the Grimsby penalty box, play moved to the other end where the Town took the lead in the 28th minute (as far as we could tell!) Three minutes later Dick and Woodgate worked the ball along the near touchline (how nice it was to see the ball once in a while) and Wright picked up a centre before being swallowed up in the gloom he headed goal-wards.
I heard him shoot and a terrific yell indicated he equalised. The fog thinned out enough for us to see Wright receiving handshakes from his teammates. Down came the fog again thicker than ever and after a sharp Grimsby attack the players returned upfleld for another kick-off. Judging by their positions Grimsby, it seemed, had taken the lead, but nothing of the play which produced the goals had been seen from the Press box.
Just before half-time a messenger nipped down to the trainer's box and confirmed that Town were leading 2-1. He returned with the news that McGowan had scored the first Wright had equalised and Briggs had got Grimsby's second goal. It sounded as if Chisholm had a brilliant game. West Ham forwards cashed in on the situation by shooting from long range but the bob-a-nob boys behind goal cheered Chisholm to the echo as he flung himself first one way and then the other to keep the Hammers out. When the referee abandoned the match in the 50th minute, Chisholm did not hear the whistle.
I guess Roy Moore had a pretty trying debut in League football. As well as having to keep eye on United leader Wright he had to play hide-and-seek with him as well! From what I can gather from those who were nearer the game than myself, Roy didn't do amiss in first League test. How did Grimsby shape? ' Honestly, I haven’t the foggiest idea. The score is the only indication in this fogball match.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
0 - 3
4 December 1948
Att: 23,218
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Wade
Woodgate
REPORT:
FULHAM
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Wright 75')
11 December 1948
Att: 22,689
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Hall
Wright
Wade
Woodgate
REPORT:
LINCOLN CITY
Sincil Bank
3 - 4 (Parsons 9', Woodgate 29', 85' [pen))
18 December 1948
Att: 15,609
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Corbett
Moroney
Parsons
Dick
Wright
Wade
Woodgate
REPORT:
LEEDS UNITED
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Wright ?', ?', Corbett ?')
25 December 1948
Att: 20,660
Taylor
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Dick
Wright
Wade
Woodgate
The match at Upton Park on Christmas Day was certainly not lacking in thrills, although the football produced never reached a high standard. When West Ham resumed in the second half with a 2-0 lead - both goals grand efforts by Wright, the first was a 30-yard shot and the second, five minutes from the interval, was a picture header from a Parsons accurately placed centre - the Hammers looked as if they were booked for an easy win, but Leeds, despite being weakened by having centre-half Holly hobbling about on the left wing, showed that they were by no means a spent force and fighting back spiritedly and determinedly, notched two equalising goals. Holly himself obtained the first when right-winger Cochrane cleverly tricked Forde centred, and the injured pivot dashed in to scramble home a rather fortuitously obtained point. Worse shocks were to follow for the Hammers, however, and two minutes later inside-left Chisholm careered down the left-wing and put over an innocent-looking, soft, low centre. Taylor deputising in West Ham goal for the injured Gregory, advanced and looked to have it well covered, but instead allowed the ball to twist out of his hands right to the feet of centre-forward Browning, who promptly drove it into the net. Both these goals were not expecting such a reversal of fortunes, and for a time the Hammers' defence became panicky, and only the steadiness of Walker and Moroney pulled the side round. Overcoming this temporary setback the Hammers, as in the first half, put on pressure, and Dick, their most dangerous forward, was unlucky with a snap shot that was well held by Fearnley. Ten minutes from time Wade forced a corner on the left, Woodgate took the kick and sent the ball high into the Leeds' goal area, and Parsons, jumping from behind a crowd of players, headed the ball against the bar. From the rebound it went to Corbett, who standing on the edge of the penalty area, hit it first time, the ball entering the net off a post. From then on it was all West Ham, who obviously made sure that the visitors would not catch them napping again.
LEEDS UNITED
Elland Road
3 - 1 (Wright ?', ?', Dick ?')
27 December 1948
Att: 32,577
Taylor
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Wright
Dick
Wade
REPORT:
CHESTERFIELD
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Woodgate 36' [pen])
1 January 1949
Att: 16,946
Taylor
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Wright
Dick
Wade
Before the match against Chesterfield at Upton Park we were placed eighth in the Second Division table, eight points behind leaders West Bromwich Albion with a game in hand. Although favourites to win, we had three-quarters of the match, and poor finishing was to blame, losing 2-1.
Thompson gave the lead to the visitors, before half-time the Hammers equalised from a penalty by Woodgate. Taylor deputising in goal for the injured Gregory allowed a greasy ball to slip through his legs from a shot by Capel for the winner. For the Midlanders it was their ninth point from five games; in the final reckoning, we both ended in the top seven of the table.
LUTON TOWN : FA Cup (Third Round)
Kenilworth Road
1 - 3 (Wade 76')
8 January 1949
Att: 21,629
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Dick
Wade
Wright
Kenilworth Road had become something of a graveyard for visiting teams as none of the twelve previous guests had succeeded in winning there.
In the opening period, however, it did appear that "thirteen" might prove lucky for the Hammers' as they held their own in a thrilling game, but "the Hatters" eventually gained the all-important first goal on the stroke of half-time. Just after the interval West Ham suffered a further blow when leading scorer Ken Wright twisted a knee and was left hobbling on the wing for the remainder of the game - no substitutes in those days!
Two further goals provided a comfortable cushion for the home side and although a fighting effort did bring a late consolation goal for Don Wade the Hammers' finally had to admit defeat to a team that had in the long run the better of the play. West Ham gained some revenge three months later when they returned for a League match and edged home by a solitary goal.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Hawthorns
1 - 2 (Robinson 56')
15 January 1949
Att: 33,100
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Dick
BILL ROBINSON
Wade
Woodgate
REPORT:
BURY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Parsons 4', Robinson 51')
22 January 1949
Att: 21,700
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Parsons
Dick
Robinson
McGowan
Woodgate
REPORT:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
0 - 2
5 February 1949
Att: 18,481
Gregory
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
Dick
Wade
REPORT:
GRIMSBY TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Robinson 78')
12 February 1949
Att: 14,578
Gregory
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
Dick
Tucker
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
1 - 1 (Woodgate 10')
19 February 1949
Att: 62,980
Gregory
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
Dick
Tucker
REPORT:
BLACKBURN ROVERS
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Wright 20', Parsons 81')
5 March 1949
Att: 18,245
Gregory
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Robinson
Parsons
Wright
DEREK JACKMAN
Woodgate
REPORT:
CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park
0 - 4
12 March 1949
Att: 28.271
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Wright
Dick
Bainbridge
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Woodgate 43', Robinson 67')
19 March 1949
Att: 25,039
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
Wright
Bainbridge
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
1 - 0 (Robinson 23')
26 March 1949
Att: 15,587
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
BRADFORD PARK AVENUE
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Horsman 10' [og]), Parsons 13', 81', McGowan 25')
2 April 1949
Att: 18,645
Taylor
Devlin
Corbett
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
1 - 0 (Robinson 78' [pen])
9 April 1949
Att: 25,644
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
The match against Southampton at the Dell was subsequently reported as "indubitably our best away performance of the season." The Saints had previously dropped only two points at home (both drawn games) and topped the table at the time. Each team missed a penalty. Ian Black pushed Steve Forde's shot against the bar, then Hammers' keeper George Taylor turned Ray Ellerington's spot-kick away for a corner. Billy Robinson scored a great goal to net the vital points. It was our fourth win in a row.
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Robinson 5', 31', 67' [pen], Woodgate 22')
15 April 1948
Att: 32896
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
BARNSLEY
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Parsons 5', McGowan 83')
16 April 1949
Att: 20,482
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
LEICESTER CITY
Filbert Street
1 - 1 (Robinson 40')
18 April 1949
Att: 30,410
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
GRIMSBY TOWN
Blundell Park
0 - 3
23 April 1949
Att: 15,803
Taylor
Corbett
Forde
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
BRENTFORD
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Bainbridge 88')
25 April 1949
Att: 15,553
Taylor
Yeomanson
Forde
Cater
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
REPORT:
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
0 - 5
30 April 1949
Att: 12,349
Taylor
Yeomanson
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Cater
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
An astonishing final League fixture at Upton Park. Nottingham Forest took the field with the knowledge that if they lost they would almost certainly be relegated to the Third Division. However, they won the match here five - nil ... but eventually still went down in company with Lincoln City !
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
0 - 2
7 May 1949
Att: 41,133
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Corbett
Walker
Moroney
Woodgate
Parsons
Robinson
McGowan
Bainbridge
The concluding Second Division fixture that season was at Craven Cottage. Fulham were the favourites as they needed one point to clinch promotion. The Hammers had fallen away after five points from three games at Easter, conceding nine goals in the subsequent three matches (with only a 1-1 home draw v Brentford as consolation). The Cottagers won 2-0, clinching the Second Division championship by one point from West Bromwich Albion.
