WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1948-49 London Combination (Section A)
Manager : Ted Fenton
WATFORD
Vicarage Road
1 - 0 (Wade)
21 August 1948
Taylor
Cater
Ballantyne
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Woodgate
Dunn
Carroll
Wade
Bainbridge
A healthy crowd turned out at Vicarage Road for the visit of our Reserves, and they were treated to a performance that deserved its reward. We controlled the game from the outset - particularly in a dominant first half - yet the breakthrough stubbornly refused to come.
It took until five minutes from time for justice to be done. Don Wade, alert and decisive, finally swept home the only goal of the afternoon to secure a fully‑earned brace of points.
A patient, disciplined display - and a victory that felt as inevitable as it was hard‑won.
IPSWICH TOWN
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Chapman 2, Carroll, Jackman)
23 August 1948
Taylor
Cater
Kearns
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Woodgate
Chapman
Carroll
Jackman
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SWINDON TOWN
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Carroll 2, Chapman, Woodgate)
28 August 1948
Taylor
Cater
Kearns
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Woodgate
Jackman
Carroll
Chapman
Wade
Our second string have made by far the brightest start of our three XIs, three straight victories putting them in an excellent early position.
Swindon Town’s Reserves were dealt a blow after 25 minutes when their left‑back was forced off, and up to that point we had dominated without finding the net. The breakthrough finally arrived on the half‑hour, Eddie Chapman opening the scoring, and once the door was unlocked the goals flowed. John Carroll and Don Wade struck before the interval, and visions of a record tally began to stir.
Carroll added another within a minute of the restart, but despite a string of near misses the Hammers couldn’t stretch the margin further.
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road
2 - 5 (Chapman, Wright)
1 September 1948
Taylor
Cater
Kearns
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Chapman
Jackman
Dunn
Wood
Wright
At Ipswich, Eddie Chapman cancelled out the opener, and when the home side nudged ahead again, Ken Wright promptly levelled matters once more. We were playing the sharper football throughout and looked good value for at least a point - until misfortune struck. A penalty was awarded against Keith Bradly for unavoidable handling, the ball having been blasted at him from barely two yards.
Ipswich seized their chance, and the sheer enthusiasm of the home side from that moment on left our XI with little hope of clawing their way back.
A frustrating afternoon: plenty of good play, undone by a moment of harsh luck and a late surge from the Blues.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road
1 - 3 (Chapman)
4 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Kearns
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Woodgate
Jackman
Chapman
McGowan D.
Wood
REPORT:
SWANSEA TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 4 (Dunn)
6 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Kearns
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Chapman
Jackman
Dunn
McGowan D.
Wood
REPORT:
BIRMINGHAM CITY
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Chapman)
11 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Forde
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Dunn
Chapman
Wright
McGowan D.
Wood
In the Reserves’ match against Birmingham City, it felt for all the world as though both Combination points were ours after a hard‑fought afternoon. We had the better of the first half, took a deserved one‑goal lead, and came close to doubling it several times as the game wore on. But with just three minutes remaining, Birmingham snatched an equaliser that sent them home more than satisfied with their visit to Upton Park.
We had hoped to see Johnny McGowan return to our XI for this fixture after his promising try‑out the previous Thursday, but it was decided his knee needed a longer spell of convalescence. And although Steve Forde did feature, he was limping badly enough afterwards to rule him out of action on Monday.
A frustrating finish to a match we had largely controlled - and a reminder of how thin the margins can be at this level.
CHELSEA
Stamford Bridge
0 - 2
13 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Armstrong
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Wood
Jackman
Wright
McGowan D.
Wade
Our Reserve side that travelled to Stamford Bridge on Monday was, understandably, a makeshift outfit, with several players operating out of position. Even so, they were far from disgraced in a 2–0 defeat to a strong Chelsea team.
Eric Armstrong, asked to fill in at left‑back despite it being an unfamiliar role, came through his test admirably - a welcome sight after several weeks out nursing a knee injury.
A patched‑up XI, a tough assignment, and a performance that showed plenty of grit despite the scoreline.
LEYTON ORIENT
Brisbane Road
1 - 4 (McGowan)
18 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Kearns
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Parker
McGowan D.
Carroll
Wood
Wade
REPORT:
READING
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Armstrong)
20 September 1948
Taylor
Devlin
Forde
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Parker
Jackman
Carroll
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
NORWICH CITY
Carrow Road
0 - 2
25 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Forde
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Jackman
Carroll
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Upton Park
1 - 3 (Tucker [pen])
27 September 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Forde
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Jackman
Carroll
Wade
Tucker
REPORT:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Parker 2)
2 October 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Devlin
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Jackman
Parker
Dunn
McGowan D.
Tucker
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Upton park
2 - 3 (Tucker, Wade)
9 October 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Devlin
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
Jackman
Wood
Dunn
Wade
Tucker
REPORT:
KINGSTONIAN : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Jackman, O'Farrell)
11 October 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Devlin
Cater
Walker R.
Armstrong
Parker
Wood
Jackman
O'Farrell
Bainbridge
REPORT:
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
0 - 3
16 October 1948
Taylor
Ballantyne
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
Armstrong
McGowan D.
Wood
Jackman
O'Farrell
Wade
REPORT:
NORWICH CITY
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Jackman)
23 October 1948
Taylor
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
Armstrong
McGowan D.
Wood
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS : LCC (Second Round)
Loftus Road
2 - 1 (Wade, Walker [pen])
25 October 1948
Taylor
Cater
Devlin
Parker
Walker R.
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Wood
Jackman
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
County Ground
1 - 1 (Chapman)
30 October 1948
Taylor
Kearns
Devlin
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Chapman
Jackman
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Chapman, O'Farrell, Wade)
6 November 1948
Taylor
Cater
Devlin
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Chapman
Jackman
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
DULWICH HAMLET : London Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Chapman, Jackman, McGowan, Walker)
8 November 1948
Taylor
Cater
Devlin
Parker
Walker R.
Corbett N.
McGowan D.
Chapman
Jackman
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Town Ground
0 - 1
13 November 1948
Taylor
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Chapman
Dunn
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SWNASEA TOWN
Vetch Field
2 - 1 (McGowan, Wade)
27 November 1948
Taylor
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Wood
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
REPORT:
LEYTON ORIENT
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Jackman, Wade)
4 December 1948
Taylor
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
McGowan D.
Wilson
Jackman
Wood
Tucker
REPORT:
READING
Elm Park
2 - 3 (Jackman, O'Farrell)
11 December 1948
Taylor
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Chapman
Wood
Jackman
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
WATFORD
Upton Park
0 - 0
18 December 1948
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Jackman
Chapman
Dunn
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
1 - 1 (Hall)
25 December 1948
Adams A.
McGowan J.
Devlin
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Parker
Jackman
Hall
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Cater)
27 December 1948
Adams A.
McGowan J.
Devlin
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Parker
Jackman
Hall
Cater
Bainbridge
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC : Football Combination Cup
The Valley
0 - 9
1 January 1949
Adams A.
McGowan J.
Devlin
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Jackman
Parker
Hall
Cater
Bainbridge
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Devlin [pen])
8 January 1949
Taylor
Ballantyne
Devlin
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Jackman
Parker
Chapman
Wood
Bainbridge
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Dunn, Jackman)
15 January 1949
Peters
McGowan J.
Devlin
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Barrett
Jackman
Dunn
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH : Football Combination Cup
Fratton Park
0 - 6
22 January 1949
Peters
McGowan J.
Ballantyne
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Nottage
Jackman
Dunn
Hall
Bainbridge
REPORT:
ARSENAL : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
2 - 3 (Dick, O'Farrell)
5 February 1949
Peters
Kearns
Devlin
Cater
Bradly
O'Farrell
Chapman
Parker
Dick
Jackman
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SOUTHEND UNITED : Football Combination Cup
The Stadium, Kursaal
4 - 1 (Hall 3, Bainbridge)
12 February 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Kearns
Cater
Bradly
Armstrong
Barrett
Chapman
Hall
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
0 - 0
19 February 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Bradly
Armstrong
Barrett
Chapman
Hall
Wade
Bainbridge
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE : Football Combination Cup
Selhurst Park
1 - 3 (Chapman)
26 February 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Armstrong
Bradly
O'Farrell
Barrett
Chapman
Hall
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON : Football Combination Cup
The Dell
1 - 4 (McGowan)
5 March 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Bradly
O'Farrell
Dunn
Chapman
Hall
McGowan D.
Bainbridge
REPORT:
MILLWALL : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Barrett, Tucker)
12 March 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Armstrong
Wilson
O'Farrell
Barrett
Jackman
Robinson
Wade
Tucker
REPORT:
SOUTHAMPTON : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
0 - 3
28 March 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Wilson
Moroney
Southren
Jackman
Stephens
Dick
Wade
REPORT:
ARSENAL : Football Combination Cup
Highbury
0 - 4
30 March 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
Barrett
Hall
Stephens
Dick
Wade
REPORT:
MILLWALL : Football Combination Cup
The Den
0 - 3
2 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
Barrett
Jackman
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
SOUTHEND UNITED : Football Combination Cup
Upton Park
1 - 5 (Hall)
9 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Dick
O'Farrell
Barrett
Hall
Stephens
Wright
Wade
REPORT:
CHELSEA : London Challenge Cup (Final)
White Hart Lane
1 - 1 (Dick)
11 April 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Devlin
Parker
Walker R.
O'Farrell
Barrett
Chapman
Hall
Dick
Wade
REPORT:
BRENTFORD
Griffin Park
0 - 2
15 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Dick
O'Farrell
Barrett
Jackman
Stephens
Hall
Wade
REPORT:
SWINDON TOWN
County Ground
1 - 1 (Wright)
16 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
Barrett
Hall
Stephens
Dick
Wright
REPORT:
BRENTFORD
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Barrett, Dick [pen], Hall)
18 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Cater
Parker
Armstrong
O'Farrell
Barrett
Hall
Stephens
Dick
Wright
REPORT:
BIRMINGHAM CITY
St Andrews
0 - 1
23 April 1949
Peters
Yeomanson
Ballantyne
Parker
Wright
O'Farrell
Chapman
Dunn
Stephens
Hall
Tucker
REPORT:
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Upton Park
1 - 0 (Howe)
2 May 1949
Peters
Armstrong
Ballantyne
Parker
Wright
Parker B.
Barrett
Jackman
Howe
Hall
Wade
REPORT:
CHELSEA : London Challenge Cup (Final Replay)
White Hart Lane
2 - 1 (Woodgate, Wright)
9 May 1949
Taylor
Yeomanson
Devlin
Parker
Walker R.
O'Farrell
Woodgate
Hall
Wright
McGowan D.
Wade
REPORT:
