WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1953-54 London Mid-Week League
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ARSENAL
Claremont Road, Hendon FC
0 - 3
7 October 1953
Turner D.
Bond
Armstrong
Belcher
Nelson A.
Standley T.
Wragg
Walker
Blackburn
Matthews
Wright J.
Turner and Wright are two youngsters from the Colchester area, Wright being brother to the Colchester United full-back.
Although we played good football throughout, it was the Gunners who got the goals, though a couple might have been prevented but for defensive errors, and the final result of 3-0 looked a little lopsided.
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MILLWALL
The Den
3 - 0 (Kearns, Thompson, Tucker [pen])
14 October 1953
Clish
Walker
Bond
Johnstone
Nelson A.
Belcher
Wragg
Barrett
Kearns
Thompson D.
Tucker
One up at half-time we continued well on top during the second-half to run out as comfortable winners by 3-0 against a useful-looking home team. Our scorers were Kearns, Tucker from a penalty and D. Thompson who is at present in the Army at Warminster on National Service.
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 0
19 October 1953
Clish
Armstrong
Bond
Lill M.
Robinson
Belcher
Wragg
Matthews
Noakes
Gunning
Newman
A greasy top-surface made conditions difficult for both sides, and this enabled the defences to keep the upper hand throughout. Neither XI seemed likely to score for most of the game, and it was no surprise when the teams shared the points in a goalless draw.
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CHELSEA
Spotted Dog Ground
2 - 1 (Blackburn 2 [1 pen])
26 October 1953
Clish
Nelson B.
Thoms J.
Johnstone
Ruark A.
Belcher
Murrell D.
Matthews
Blackburn
Armstrong
Kelly B.
Shortly after the start Tommy Clish received a very bad knock on his thumb joint which necessitated him playing with it taped-up for the remainder of the game; although for most of the time he was literally making one-handed saves it was not until five minutes from the end that he was beaten. Meanwhile, during the first half we had twice penetrated the Chelsea defence, Alan Blackburn being the scorer on both occasions (one from a penalty) so we gained the day after a tough tussle by 2-1.
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WATFORD
Vicarage Road
5 - 1 (Clark 4, Wragg)
4 November 1953
Rhodes
Nelson B.
Cooper
Pattison A.
Walker
Belcher
Wragg
Matthews
Clark B.
Brennah J.
Gunning
REPORT:
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CHELSEA
Welsh Harp, Hendon
2 - 0 (Noakes, Woodgate)
10 November 1953
Clish
Nelson B.
Cooper
Johnstone
Walker
McGowan
Wragg
Woodgate
Noakes
Matthews
Lill M.
This match was played on their ground at the Welsh Harp. Hendon, which they use for Metropolitan League and 'A Team fixtures and conditions were first-rate.
A goal from Woodgate put us one up at half-time and Noakes added our second after the interval.
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 3
16 November 1953
Clish
Nelson B.
Monk P.
Johnstone
Standley T.
Noakes
Wragg
Leach B.
Hogg
Kenny J.
Blackburn
Two down at half-time we found ourselves up against a very clever and resolute visiting team, and our prospects faded when Blackburn missed a penalty. The Rangers added a third before the finish to gain a deserved win.
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Cheshunt
2 - 2 (Dixon, Kenny)
26 November 1953
Chiswick
Standley T.
Armstrong
Johnstone
Walker
Noakes
Wragg
Barrett
Dixon
Kenny J.
Wright J.
This match was Jimmy Barrett's first appearance since he dislocated his shoulder some weeks ago, and we were pleased to see him quickly prove that he is quite fit again.
In an interesting game against a strong Spurs' side we led by 2-1 at half-time, Dixon and Kenny each converting a centre from Wragg. We looked like retaining this margin until the home side equalised five minutes from time to force a 2-2 draw.
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PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
0 - 1
2 December 1953
Clish
Standley T.
Armstrong
Johnstone
Nelson A.
Noakes
Figg B.
Barrett
Hogg
Blackburn
Musgrove
This was Musgrove's first appearance for the Hammers as a professional.
In a very even and interesting game the defences prevailed except for a Portsmouth goal during the second-half. There was some really fine soccer and we only just missed equalising in the closing stages. The Portsmouth XI includes some top-rate youngsters with a leavening of experience and it is easy to understand their excellent record in the Mid-Week League; our side did very well to hold them to 1-0.
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Loftus Road
2 - 0 (Blackburn, Musgrove)
9 December 1953
Clish
Standley T.
Armstrong
Johnstone
Nelson A.
Noakes
Wragg
Kenny
Arnott
Blackburn
Musgrove
Centre-forward John Arnott was having his first game for our "A" Team; he is from Lewisham, and has been doing very well in our Metropolitan League matches, and made a promising debut. We always looked winners in a most pleasing exhibition and only brilliant goalkeeping kept our margin down to 2-0, Both these goals came during the first half-hour; Musgrove scored the first, hitting the ball into the top left-hand corner from 30 yards range after cutting in from the wing and Blackburn added the second from the edge of the penalty-box after excellent approach work. As a result of this win we displaced the Rangers from second place in the Mid-Week League table.
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park
5 - 1 (Arnott 2, Blackburn 2, Musgrove)
16 December 1953
Clish
Ling J.
Cooper
Belcher
Walker
Noakes
Lill M.
Matthews
Arnott
Blackburn
Musgrove
It was apparent from the opening minutes' play that we were to prove far the better side and we had the points "in our pocket" when we went in with a 3-0 half-time lead. We continued on top through most of the second-half and won comfortably by 5-1. Blackburn had a good game at inside-forward (where he has had a number of games for us) and he scored two of our goals; amateurs Arnett (2) and Lill (1) scored the others.
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SOUTHEND UNITED
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 0
11 January 1954
Rhodes
Cooper
Hallas G.
Standley T.
Walker
Belcher
Wragg
Bird W.
Kenshole J.
Kenny J.
Musgrove
In this side against the Shrimpers there were newcomers Geoff Hallas (now in the Army at Warminster), William Bird and John Kenshole Two youngsters from the West Country — 17 and 16 respectively) and Kenny (who has played for us previously but is now in the Forces).
On an extremely heavy ground we were held to a goalless draw mainly through the efforts of the Shrimpers' goalkeeper who "played a blinder." A re-shuffle of our forward-line in the closing stages found us continuing to pierce the visitors' defence, but we were still held scoreless.
SOUTHEND UNITED
The Stadium
3 - 2 (Blackburn, Musgrove, Rowlands)
10 February 1954
Rhodes
Ling J.
Ruark A.
Noakes
Walker
Wickers R.
Lill M.
Kenny J.
Blackburn
Rowlands S.
Musgrove
Newcomers to our colours were R. Wickers (from Storey Athletic) and S. Rowlands (of Pinehurst Y.C.. who recently played here against our Colts in the Youth Cup). Both did well, and Rowlands netted the second goal that gave us a 2-0 interval lead. Previously Musgrove had opened the scoring, but the Shrimpers fought back in the second half to level it up. However, with but five minutes to go Blackburn gained a very good goal that brought our team the points they deserved on a very muddy surface.
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MILLWALL
Spotted Dog Ground
5 - 0 (Musgrove 3, Cecil, Matthews)
15 February 1954
Clish
Cooper
Hallas G.
Armstrong
Walker
Belcher
Matthews
Cecil R.
Arnott
Gunning
Musgrove
This was Geoff Hallas's first appearance for us as a professional, and the Oldham-born left-back showed himself to be well on top of his job by holding the Lions' right-winger throughout the game. A hat-trick by Musgrove was the main feature of a one-sided game, for with Matthews and Cecil each scoring once we ran out winners by 5-0.
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CRYSTAL PALACE
Spotted Dog Ground
3 - 2 (Johnstone 2, Foan)
1 March 1954
Clish
Standley T.
Armstrong
McGowan
Walker
Blackmore R.
Veitch A.
Applegarth R.
Johnstone
Foan
Gunning
We tried three newcomers in this fixture; Blackmore is the son of Harry Blackmore, the former Bolton Wanderers' centre-forward, and comes from the Exeter district, whilst Veitch and Applegarth are both from Tommy Clish's former club - Wheatley Hill. In a game played under muddy conditions we took a 3-1 lead at the interval, Johnston (2) and Foan being the scorers, but the Glaziers reduced it to 3-2 in the second half and kept us at full stretch till the finish.
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PORTSMOUTH
Spotted Dog Ground
2 - 2 (Lill, Passmore)
8 March 1954
Rhodes
Standley T.
Armstrong
Anderson A.
Walker
Wickers
Lill M.
Johnstone
Passmore W.
Cecil R.
Bradbury T.
Newcomers in the side were Wickers (from Storey Athletic), Anderson (Lynemouth Colliery) and Passmore and Bradbury (both from Heaton. Derbyshire).
In a hard game against the present leaders of the competition our team showed up welt, and Passmore gave us the lead in the opening minutes. Our opponents (who included Stephen and several other professionals) came more into the picture before the interval and led by 2-1 at the change-over. However, a goal by Lill squared the score soon after half-time and though both teams fought keenly for the decider the score remained at 2-2 until the final whistle.
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ARSENAL
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 3 (Musgrove)
15 March 1954
Clish
Cooper
Hallas G.
Standley T.
Walker
Noakes
Matthews
Kenny J.
Johnstone
Blackburn
Musgrove
The points went to a stronger and faster Arsenal side, who gained a 1-0 half-time lead and went on to make this a 3-1 victory by the final whistle. Their goalkeeper made three very good saves in the second-half before Musgrove scored our only counter.
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Valley
1 - 1 (Blackburn)
24 March 1954
Clish
Ling J.
Hallas G.
Belcher
Walker
Wickers
Lill M.
Kenny J.
Arnott
Blackburn
Musgrove
A goal by Alan Blackburn in the first half seemed likely to give us victory, but with only two minutes to go the Robins equalised to force a 1-1 draw in an interesting game in which our youngsters showed to advantage.
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FULHAM
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 0 ([og])
29 March 1954
Taylor
Cooper
Hallas G.
Armstrong
Walker
Noakes
Burdon
Kenny J.
Johnstone
Dawson C.
Gunning
Dawson was on trial from Lynemouth Colliery and showed up rather well on his first appearance in our colours.
The Cottagers had an all-professional side, and their stronger physique enabled them to hold the upper hand for much of the time. However, we took the lead in the first half when one of their defenders put through his own goal and held on to this narrow margin for the remainder of the game, thanks to the greater experience of our defence in a hard game.
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Spotted Dog Ground
3 - 1 (Johnstone, Neville, Smith)
5 April 1954
Taylor
Armstrong
Hallas G.
Johnstone
Walker
Startford K.
Musgrove
Kenny J.
Smith J.
Neville D.
Wilson R.
In an even game we accepted our chances better than the Athletic. A header from Smith and a good shot from outside the penalty-area by Neville brought us goals before the interval for a 2-0 lead. The visitors reduced the arrears after the resumption, but Johnston came up and hit the ball on the volley in the closing stages to make the final score 3-1 in our favour.
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WATFORD
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 1
12 April 1954
Clish
Nelson B.
Cooper
Belcher
Armstrong
Noakes
Foan
Bird W.
Kenshole J.
Doherly W.
Gunning
In a spiritless game the young Watford side scored the only goal to gain the points.
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
2 - 3 (Matthews, Stroud)
26 April 1954
Webb D.
Cooper
Hallas G.
Noakes
Nelson A.
Belcher
Foan
Matthews
Stroud
Weymouth B.
Gunning
Waymouth (from Barnet) was a newcomer to our colours, but one of our biggest interests in the game was the re-appearance of Roy Stroud who has been out for some weeks with a recurrence of his thigh injury; the special treatment he has been undergoing at the Charlton Athletic ground seems to be bringing effective results, for Roy came through the test very well and scored one of our goals. Our other scorer was Matthews, but these two tallies were not sufficient, and the Cottagers won by 3-2.