WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1950-51 London Mid-Week League
West Ham United were newcomers to this competition that was reformatted in 1948-49
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SOUTHEND UNITED
Southend Stadium
2 - 2 (Petchey, [og])
4 October 1950
Chiswick
Watts R.
Cooper F.
Corbett
Bond
Noakes
Chapman
McGowan
Petchey
Hammond A.
Burks K.
Whilst we had somewhat the better of the play, the Shrimpers took their opportunities to even our two tallies, which resulted from a good effort by George Petchey and a defender who put through his own goal.
SOUTHAMPTON
Upton Park
2 - 4 (Chapman, McGowan)
9 October 1950
Chiswick
Cooper F.
Nelson
Malcolm
Bradly
Noakes
Jackman
McGowan
Chapman
Petchey
Burks K.
The Hammers had the better of the opening exchanges and displayed their ability; a seemingly good goal was disallowed early on when the 'keeper dropped the ball and Eddie Chapman netted. However, the Saints took command and piled up a four-goal lead before Chapman and NcGowan replied. In the final stages our lads continued to rally and had a strong appeal for hands in the penalty area disallowed, which would have given then an excellent opportunity of a least equalising had it been granted.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
1 - 5 (Chapman)
12 October 1950
Webb R.
Watts R.
Cooper F.
Malcolm
Nelson
Whittle A.
Chapman
Agg H.
Birleson R.
Jackman
Burks K.
Against Crystal Palace things did not turn out to the advantage of our young side against a more experienced opposition and they lost 5-1, Eddie Chapman being our scorer.
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road
1 - 2 (Howe)
19 October 1950
Chiswick
Watts R.
Nelson
Jackman
Williams F.
Noakes
Seaborne K.
Ingram R.
Howe
Petchey
Tucker
At Loftus Road we lost by 2-1, but might have earned at least one point in a very even game had not the home custodian been in such brilliant form; he made a terrific save from Ken Tucker in the firs five minutes, but although Dennis Howe managed to beat him on one occasion he defied all our other efforts.
MILLWALL
Upton Park
3 - 2 (Jackman, Petchey, Tucker)
26 October 1950
Chiswick
Watts R.
Bond
Jackman
Williams F.
Noakes
Gatward G.
Howe
Chapman
Petchey
Tucker
REPORT:
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WATFORD
Vicarage Road
2 - 1 (Howe, Petchey)
1 November 1950
Chiswick
Bond
Cooper F.
Malcolm
Nelson
Noakes
Gatward G.
Jackman
Howe
Petchey
Betts
Against Watford our third-string gained two valuable points in the Mid-Week League at the Vicarage Road ground. Goals by Dennis Howe and George Petchey gave us the margin against the home sides one in a hard fight.
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PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
1 - 4 (Howe)
8 November 1950
Chiswick
Bond
Armstrong
Jackman
Nelson
Noakes
Southren
Howe
Clark D.
McGowan
Tucker
REPORT:
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SOUTHAMPTON
The Dell
3 - 0 (Johns, Malcolm, Southren)
15 November 1950
Chiswick
Bond
Armstrong
Malcolm
Nelson
Noakes
Southren
Jackman
Johns
Petchey
Betts
Our "A" Team accomplished a fine performance in winning by three clear goals. A feature of the game was the first-rate display of our three half-backs who were largely responsible for breaking up the Saints' attacks and making astute passes to the forwards.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Upton Park
0 - 1
23 November 1950
Chiswick
Spencer F.
Armstrong
Corbett
Nelson
Noakes
Hooper
Jackman
Chapman
Petchey
Tucker
The visit of Quuens Park Rangers "A" was notable for the atrocious weather, for it rained thoughout and the game ended in semi-darkness. A scrappy encounter was not helped by the conditions, and the only goal was scored by the visitors.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Hooper 2 1 [pen], Jackman 2)
28 December 1950
Chiswick
Watts R.
Armstrong
Corbett
Nelson
Jackman
Hooper
Cockerton W.
Johns
McGowan
Wade
Our XI scored a comparatively easy victory, for they were on top throughout, and gave the Spurs little opportunity to settle down. Young Harry Hooper gave a good show marred only by a missed penalty, but he compensated for this by scoring twice - including another spot kick. The other two goals came from Derek Jackman.
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ARSENAL
Claremont Road, Hendon FC
1 - 1 (Corbett)
10 January 1951
Chiswick
Armstrong
Nelson
Corbett
Beech R.
Noakes
Hooper
Cockerton W.
Brock R.
Jackman
Tucker
The game was played on a heavy ground under appalling conditions, as it commenced to rain soon after the kick-off, but there was some good football by both sides. Norman Corbett scored our goal with a shot from just outside the penalty area and the Gunners equalised before half-time, but there was no further scoring and the final result was a fair 1-1 draw.
PORTSMOUTH
Upton Park
6 - 3 (Jackman 2, Wade 2, Johns, Tucker)
18 January 1951
Chiswick
Watts R.
Armstrong
Malcolm
Corbett
Noakes
Bing
Johns
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
For the match against Portsmouth 'A' the Sailors were in arrears by 5-0 at one time, they fought back to make it 5-3 before we netted another to end as winners by 6-3.
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MILLWALL
The Den
4 - 0 (Jackman 2, Bing, Wade)
22 January 1951
Chiswick
Armstrong
Nelson
Malcolm
Howe
Noakes
Bing
Johns
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
The 'A' Team scored a 4-0 win at The Den. There was no doubt of who would prove the winners of how many goals we would score before the finish. Derek Jackman netted a couple for the fourth game in a row, Doug Bing and Don Wade being the other scorers.
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
2 - 0 (Armstrong, Jackman)
25 January 1951
Chiswick
Bond
Cooper F.
Simmonds A.
Corbett
Wade
Bing
Armstrong
Jackman
Turner L.
Tucker
We did not score our goals until the last 15 minutes of a good game, erek Jackman netting one and then unselfishly letting the ball run for Armstrong to score the other. Our amateurs had a good game, and the form of young Fred Cooper shows that he has a promising future as he continues to gain experience, for his first-time tackling subdued his opponents.
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FULHAM
Craven Cottage
3 - 0 (Foan, Jackman, Tucker)
1 February 1951
Chiswick
Armstrong
Cooper F.
Billington D.
Howe
Moroney
Bing
Foan
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
The 'A' Team took a step further up the Mid-Week League table when they defeated Fulha by three clear goals at Craven Cottage. Good football brought a fairly easy win, Ken Tucker, Derek Jackman and Albert Foan being the scorers.
WATFORD
Spotted Dog Ground
2 - 2 (Jackman 2)
7 February 1951
Chiswick
Wright
Kearns
Malcolm
Howe
Noakes
Bing
Hallibone J.
Jackman
Wade
Tucker
On a surface that improved somewhat as the game progressed, four goals were shared by the two teams playing entirely different types of soccer. Our combined efforts gave us a lead twice, Derek Jackman netting on each occasion, but the more direct method of the visitors enabled them to gain a point.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 3
14 February 1951
Peters
Wright
Nelson
Malcolm
Corbett
Noakes
Bing
Barrett
Jackman
Foan
Burks K.
London Mid-Week League match at the Clapton F.C. ground was against Charlton Athletic "A." The visitors hold an unbeaten record in this competition but, strange to relate, although they maintained this record by a 3-0 margin they might easily have lost it. In the first half our team kept up s strong pressure, but poor finishing failed to produce the necessary goal that could have proved decisive. We started off in similar fashion after the interval, but a speedy clearance by the Charlton defence led to their first goal and a second followed about mid-way through the half; it served only to rub in our disappointment when they added the final tally in the closing moments. Suffice to say — "Take the chance while it's there - you might not get a second one!
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LEYTON ORIENT
Brisbane Road
1 - 1 (Tucker)
1 March 1951
Peters
Wright
Bond
Malcolm
Armstrong
Wade
Bing
Howe
Chapman
Tucker
Broster K.
The game was played under shocking conditions, and the 1-1 draw was the fairest decision to both sides, who struggled valiantly on a bad top-surface. This prevented Ken Broster, a 17-year-old from Runcorn, from effectively showing his skill, but we were sufficiently impressed with his display to promise a further trial for him after the Easter programme is concluded. Ken Tucker was our scorer, and Eric Armstrong had the misfortune to equalise for the 'home' side when he diverted the ball into his own net.
BRENTFORD
Spotted Dog Ground
3 - 2 (Bing, Howe, Tucker [pen])
7 March 1951
Peters
Wright
Nelson
Malcolm
Corbett
Wade
Bing
Howe
Chapman
Tucker
Foan
We met Brentford "A" at Clapton's Spotted Dog ground. It was not a particularly good game, but five goals scored to some extent compensated for this. We took the lead in the first half when Dennis Howe headed home a cross pass from Albert Foan, and before the interval Ken Tucker put us further ahead with a penalty-kick awarded for a foul. In the second half the Bees did the majority of the pressing and reduced the arrears before Doug Bing's shot found the net. With the score at 3-1 the visitors were awarded a penalty which was saved by Peter Peters, but our custodian was unable to retain his grasp on the ball and the taker of the spot-kick followed up to atone for his previous lapse.
ARSENAL
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 1 (howe)
14 March 1951
Chiswick
Devlin
Cooper F.
Corbett
Niblett
Noakes
Bing
Howe
Chapman
Tucker
Foan
Ernie Devlin had his first game for some months following his knee operation. A high wind which blew straight down the pitch rather spoiled what should have been a good game, for the Gunners' third-striring hold second place in the table. Although we faced the wind in the first half there was no score at the interval, and when Dennis Howe netted for us it appeared likely that we should force a win. However, our lads allowed the visitors to equalise, and the final result was 1-1.
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Valley
1 - 3 (Barrett)
19 March 1951
Chiswick
Watts R.
Nelson
Malcolm
Niblett
Noakes
Bing
Barrett
Johns
Howe
Wade
Charlton who have only lost one game in the competition and head the table, so it was obvious that our side would have a difficult task to face. That they lost by 3-1 was therefore no disgrace, and we can truthfully say that had the scores been level it would have been no injustice to the home side. A burst of scoring in the opening 20 minutes was responsible for all the goals; Jim Barrett equalised for us after the Robins had gone ahead, and then our hosts made it 3-1 with two further quick counters.
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park
3 - 2 (Betts, Howe, Tucker)
21 March 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Armstrong
Corbett
Bradly
Wade
Bing
Howe
Johns
Tucker
Betts
On a muddy surface at Selhurst Park our lads had a somewhat indifferent first half, and at the interval were on the wrong end of a 2-0 score. However, it was a much different tale after the breather and Dennis Howe reduced the arrears to make it 2-1. A very good goal by Eric Betts then levelled the count and amid great enthusiasm by our team Ken Tucker netted to give us the 3-2 lead which we retained until the final whistle, to bring us a couple of hard-earned but well-deserved points.
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LUTON TOWN
Hitchin Town FC
1 - 1 (Wade)
4 April 1951
Chiswick
Devlin
Nelson
Corbett
Armstrong
Noakes
Birleson R.
Howe
Johns
Wade
Betts
The match against Luton Town was played on the Hitchin Town FC ground which the Hatters use for their "A" Team fixtures. We took the lead after about half-an-hour when a defender's clearance cannoned back into the net off Don Wade, and we were leading by 1-0 at the interval. Luton equalised in the second half when a corner was headed home after 60 minutes play. A little latter a grand 'goalkeeper's save' was made by Ernie Devlin when he handled a shot on the line, but the resultant penalty was completely missed, the shot going well wide. With no further score the match ended in a fair 1-1 draw.
READING
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 2 (Brown)
11 April 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Cooper F.
Corbett
Viner S.
Cater
Bradley R.
Howe
Johns
Brown R.
Tucker
In poor weather neither side reached a very high standard, athough Reading had a strong side in the field, including Ken Bainbridge who was having a trial run after a recent injury. Unfortunately Ken had a recurrance f his grion trouble and had to leave the field. With the advantage of a following wind the visitors were two up at half-time, and although Brown reduced the arrears after the interval, we finished on the wrong end of a 2-1 score.
LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Corbett, Tucker)
19 April 1951
Turner A.
Nelson
Cooper F.
Corbett
Howe
Noakes
Birleson R.
Bing
Johns
Wade
Tucker
With the wind in our favour we took a 2-0 lead at half-time. Ken Tucker scored from a peanalty 'rebound' his first attempt hitting the goalkeeper with considerable force, and Norman Corbett got the second. After the interval there was no further score and we earned our 2-0 victory. A feature of the game was the display of the three former West Ham Schoolboys in our side, Alf Noakes, Fred Cooper and Alf Turner. The latter was making his first 'A' Team appearance, and showed confidence in all he was called upon to do.
FULHAM
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 0 (Barley)
25 April 1951
Peters
Nelson
Cooper F.
Malcolm
Niblett
Corbett
Southren
Barley D.
Kearns
Whittle A.
Tucker
D. Barley (from Maidenhead) and A. Whittal (of Ilford FC) showed up well in their first games for the Hammers, the former scoring the early goal in the second half with a good shot. We won on merit on a hot afternoon, and although we failed to score before the interval we had so much of the play that our 'keeper only touched the ball on very few occasions. In the second half Fulham came more into their own, but failed to finish.
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READING
Elm Park
0 - 3
26 April 1951
Turner A.
Watts R.
Kearns
Cater
Jackman
Noakes
Gatward G.
Bing
Howe
Foan
Burks K.
Against a Reading side containing eight Combination players our XI started well, but with Ron Cater returning with a cut eye after 10 minutes matters did not go their way, and during the half-hour Ron was absent the Biscuitmen scored twice before the interval. In the second half our young players gave a good account of themselves, but the home side netted right on time to win by 3-0 in a game that never really went our way in the matter of fortune.
SOUTHEND UNITED
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Betts, Jackman)
3 May 1951
Peters
Wright
Nelson
Cater
Niblett
McGowan
Birleson R.
Foan
Petchey
Jackman
Betts
The young Southend United team had won its four previous games, and they provided their full share of the good football displayed. They took the lead in the first half from a penalty-kick, the award of which surprised even the visiting team. An equally astonishing decision two minutes later in our favor gave us the opportunity to equalise, but Eric Betts' shot was saved. However, during the second half Derek Jackman headed home to even the score at 1-1 and with two minutes to go a shot from Betts brought the winner.
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BRENTFORD
RAF Stadium, Uxbridge
3 - 0 (Kearns 2, Howe)
5 May 1951
Peters
Wright
Bond
Malcolm
Bradly
Noakes
Southren
Howe
Kearns
Petchey
Tucker
This game ws payed at the RAF Stadium, Uxbridge, upon a surface that resembled the Wembley turf, and as a result the two sides played very good football, Brentford's XI, like our own, being of Combination standard. Two goals by Fred Kearns and one by Dennis Howe brought us a deserved 3-0 success.
LEYTON ORIENT
Upton Park
5 - 2 (Jackman 2, Barley, Petchey, Howe)
9 May 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Cooper F.
Malcolm
Bradly
Wade
Bing
Barley D.
Jackman
Petchey
Tucker
Our final Mid-Week League game this season brought us a good 5-2 win. We were always in front, although Orient nearly equalised on two occasions, the score progressing by 2-0, 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 5-2.
The win took us to a final standing of 5th in the league table.
