WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1952-53 London Mid-Week League
Manager: Bill Robinson
The only club to depart from the London Mid-Week League this season is Brentford, so this somewhat ambiguously-named competition will consist of ten clubs, and the 18 fixtures will continue to provide the Hammers with additional opportunities to try-out players under less strenuous conditions that are provided elsewhere.
WATFORD 'A'
Upton Park
5 - 0 (Gregory 2, Taylor 2, Belcher)
27 October 1952
Chiswick
Brown G.
Cantwell
Armstrong
Brown K.
Belcher
Burdon
Gregory J.
Taylor J.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
Our programme of matches in the London Mid-Week League opened with the visit of Watford "A" to Upton Park.
The amateurs in the side included two newcomers: G. Brown (from Mutton Colliery, Newcastle) and J. Taylor (the Newbury Town centre-forward who has played against us in the Metropolitan League where he is leading goal scorer with a total of 14).
Taylor showed to advantage against Watford, scoring two goals. Another couple by Johnny Gregory and one by Jimmy Belcher gave us a 5-0 margin, after we had led by the only goal at half-time.
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PORTSMOUTH 'A'
Fratton Park
2 - 1 (Noakes, Southren)
5 November 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Bing
Robinson
Belcher
Southren
Matthews T.
Noakes
Petchey
Gunning
The home side scored first but we equalised before half-time when Alt" Noakes picked up a through pass from Harry Gunning and hit it home first time. The score at the interval was 1-1, but it seemed likely that we would add to this after the resumption. After several near-misses our winning goal came from Tommy Southren's cross into the goalmouth that found its way into the far top corner of the net, but although this may have been termed "lucky" it was but reward for being the better XI.
FULHAM 'A'
Upton Park
0 - 1
10 November 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Cantwell
Moroney
Brown K.
Armstrong
Hooper
Bean R.
Ward F.
Petchey
Stanley W.
we took the opportunity to give trials to a couple of newcomers - R. Bean from Bexleyheath. and F. Ward from a Bristol club.
Our opponents Fulham "A" also had a blend of youth and experience, but proved to be slightly superior in scoring the only goal of the game.
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ARSENAL 'A'
Claremont Road, Hendon FC
1 - 2 (Taylor)
26 November 1952
Chiswick
Nelson B.
Cooper
Bing
Robinson
Petchey
Burdon
Dixon
Taylor J.
Matthews T.
Gunning
The Gunners had a 100% record in the competition before the kick-off, and although they managed to maintain this it was only by 2-1 margin. They led by this score at the interval, J. D. Taylor (the Newbury Town centre-forward) netting for us.
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC 'A'
The Valley
0 - 2
10 December 1952
Chiswick
Nelson B.
Cooper
Hayward F.
Robinson
Petchey
Burdon
Bridge P.
McIntee J.
Truett J.
Bridge J.
Hayward was "on trial" from the West Country, but the other amateurs were all "locals" - P. Bridge (a member of our ground staff), his brother J. Bridge (just "demobbed"), J. Mclntee (the Leyton centre-forward) and J. Truett (who lives locally but plays for High Wycombe). The most promising was the most experienced - Mclntee, who put in very much hard work.
The nearly all-pro Chariton Athletic side scored their first goal shortly before the interval and added another 30 seconds from time; but our lads took their fair share of the honours in a game where the strength of the opposition was a telling factor.
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'A'
Cheshunt
0 - 2
22 January 1953
Acreman G.
Chapman
Cooper
Bing
Nelson A.
Noakes
Southren
McIntee J.
Fisher G.
Matthews B.
Gunning
We resumed our fixtures in the London Mid-Week League by meeting Tottenham Hotspur "A" at Cheshunt. We took the opportunity to field some newcomers in the line-up. Two of these - Acreman and Andy Nelson - are products of the "B" Team, this being Andy's second appearance in our third-string. Of the three amateurs in the forward-line, Mclntee is known locally as a Leyton player, but the other two George Fisher and Barry Mathews - are both from Cornwall.
The game was interesting and had the Hammers taken their chances they would not have changed ends one down. The second half was also evenly-contested, but a second goal a few minutes from time decided the issue in the Spurs' favour.
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SOUTHEND UNITED 'A'
Southend Stadium
0 - 2
29 January 1953
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Cooper
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Tapper C.
Brown E.
Fisher G.
Robinson
Burdon
At Southend our Mid-Week League team opposing Bill Robinson's youngsters was a strong home side consisting mostly of the Shrimpers' Reserve Team (who have no match today). Against this our XI did very well; they hit the woodwork before Southend scored their first-half goal and were by no means "underdogs" after the interval despite the final margin against them being 2-0.
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CRYSTAL PALACE 'A'
Selhurst Park
1 - 1 (Southren)
4 February 1953
Chiswick
Nelson B.
Cooper
Hayward F.
Robinson
Noakes
Southren
Matthews T.
Sheckles P.
Fear P.
Gunning
The Palace netted in the first half to hold an interval lead of 1-0 but we were always threatening to level the scores. It was, however, somewhat of an anti-climax when we gained a deserved point through Tommy Southren's shot being deflected into his own goal by a home defender.
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WATFORD 'A'
Vicarage Road
2 - 3 (Moroney, Robinson [pen])
11 February 1953
Fenwick R.
Nelson B.
Cooper
Moroney
Nelson A.
Cantwell
Southren
Robinson
Morris F.
Dixon
Gunning
Two newcomers to our colours appeared in this game: R. Fenwick (a goalkeeper from the Southend area who originally played in the North of England) and Frank Morris from Bexleyheath.
Goals by Tommy Moroney and Bill Robinson (from a penalty) gave us a two goal lead at half-time, but in the second half it was the turn of the Hammers to face the blizzard and Watford gained their third and winning goal two minutes from time. One of the Blues' goals was obtained by manager Len Goulden, who in an "instructional" game at inside-forward showed that he has lost none of his old skill he showed with the Hammers and Pensioners.
FULHAM 'A'
Craven Cottage
1 - 1 (Noakes)
19 February 1953
Chiswick
Nelson B.
Cantwell
Malcolm
Nelson A.
Bing
Southren
Johnstone G.
Noakes
Dick J.
Gunning
Our "A" Team has not had many games lately, for they are well ahead with their Eastern Counties League programme. However, they had a match in the Mid-Week League when they met Fulham "A" at Craven Cottage, sharing two goals.
The home side led by 1-0 at the interval, through an 'own goal." but we continued to have the majority of the play in the second halt' and Alf Noakes equalised with a left-foot shot that completely beat Ian Black in the Cottagers* goal, Ian was "standing in" for his club owing to injuries to their regular "A" Team custodian, and but for his skill we would probably have been easy winners.
ARSENAL 'A'
Upton Park
5 - 0 (Matthews 2, Foan, Moroney, Petchey)
2 March 1953
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Bing
Robinson
Moroney
Southren
Petchey
Bannister D.
Matthews T.
Foan
For this match against the potential Mid-Week League champions we introduced Bannister a 16-year-old centre-forward who plays for Bromley F.C. and has been making a name in junior soccer. Terry Mathews was making his first appearance as a professional after signing for us.
The well-built Gunners' side containing eight professionals put up surprisingly little resistance to our team, and we had small difficulty in winning by five clear goals. After George Petchey had scored in the first few minutes, Tommy Moroney made us two up at the interval with a real "scorcher" from just outside the penalty-box. Albert Foan netted our third and Terry Mathews capped his debut with two more before the end, the second being a penalty.
On this form we could not understand how the North Londoners have gained such a convincing lead in the table, especially as their third-string has also been doing so well recently in the Eastern Counties League. It is also strange to note that although our own side holds a lowly position in the table they have a good goal-average and have conceded less than any other team in the competition.
CRYSTAL PALACE 'A'
Upton Park
6 - 1 (Noakes 3, Matthews 2, Robinson)
9 March 1953
Chiswick
Chapman
Nelson B.
Bing
Robinson
Belcher
Burdon
Matthews T.
Noakes
Dick J.
Gunning
A goal by Alf Noakes gave as an interval lead, and he scored another after the resumpton when the Palace were a man short. The visitors were further depleted when another of their XI sustained a cut eye which caused his temporary retirement, but they fought very hard and reduced their arrears. Soon after the return of this player we went further ahead when Bill Robinson found a gap in the opposing defence direct from a free-kick and with continual pressure we added three more goals to win by 6-1. Alf Noakes completed his hat-trick after an enterprising display and Terry Mathews was responsible for our other two tallies.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS 'A'
Upton Park
5 - 0 (Dixon 2, Holden, Malcolm, Petchey)
16 March 1953
Hodges R.
Nelson B.
Cantwell
Bing
Boyland R.
Belcher
Malcolm
Matthews T.
Dixon
Petchey
Holden D.
The improvement of our position in the London Mid-Week League following a 5-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers "A" at Upton Park - making 16 goals in our last three matches in the competition. We led by 2-0 at the interval and piled on the pressure to gain an easy success. Tommy Dixon (2), George Petchey, D. Holden, and Andy Malcolm being our scorers. We included three newcomers in our line-up - R. Boyland and D. Holden from the South Liverpool area and R. Hodges (a goalkeeper from Brecon).
CHARLTON ATHLETIC 'A'
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Dick, Gunning, Noakes)
23 March 1953
Chiswick
Robinson
Cantwell
Stanley T.
Boyland R.
Bing
Woodward J.
Matthews T.
Noakes
Dick J.
Gunning
Our "A" Team met Charlton Athletic "A" in a Mid-Week League match on this ground. The only amateur that had not appeared in our colours previously was Woodward, who comes from the Hackney district and has had a trial with Arsenal.
Alf Noakes scored our first goal and the interval score was 1-1, but a goal by J. Dick and a penalty conversion by Harry Gunning gave us a 3-1 success. This has resulted in a jump in the table, and the fine run of success by our third-string gives us a chance of runners-up honours.
PORTSMOUTH 'A'
Upton Park
2 - 3 (Dixon, [og])
30 March 1953
Turner A.
Nelson B.
Cantwell
Cox F.
Robinson
Belcher
Burdon
Matthews T.
Dixon
Dick J.
Gunning
REPORT:
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS 'A'
Loftus Road
4 - 2 (Johnstone 2, Burdon, Hawkins)
15 April 1953
Burley J.
Nelson B.
Cantwell
Moroney
Walker R.
Belcher
Burdon
Johnstone
Hawkins
Petchey
Tucker
The home side went ahead in the first 15 seconds, but it did not take us very long to equalise; a move between Petchey and Tucker ended with Petchey hitting the bar and Johnston netted from the rebound. The same player-scored again when Moroney's free-kick was parried by the goalie, and we made it 3-1 at half-time through a goal by Hawkins from 25 yards. Midway through the second half Nelson took the ball upfield and passed for Burdon to run on and increase our lead to 4-1, and we were comfortable winners by 4-2 despite a late goal by the Rangers.
SOUTHEND UNITED 'A'
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Blackburn)
27 April 1953
Hosmar F.
Walker B.
Nelson B.
Petchey
Walker R.
Belcher
Malcolm
Johnstone
Blackburn A.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'A'
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Woodgate 2, Arnott)
30 April 1953
Davies A.
Devlin
Kearns
Commander J.
Hawkins
Petchey
Woodgate
Gregory J.
Arnott J.
Sanderson A.
Foan
REPORT:
