WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1955-56 South East Counties League
Trainer:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
The Valley
2 - 3 (Fenn, Smith)
12 September 1955
McGuire G.
East C.
Howe A.
Neale D.
Roberts P.
Smith J.
Harrison R.
Pyke M.
Fenn G.
Barrick A.
McDonald T.
Territorially the Hammers had the better of the first half, but although Smith netted for us it was the Athletic who held the lead at the interval through two breakaway goals. Fenn equalised after the resumption, but another success ten minutes from time brought the Reds a 3-2 victory gained largely through their superior strength in the halfback line and stronger kicking in general.
BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING
Green Silley Weir
6 - 2 (Lundstrum 3, Hughes, Lewis D., [og])
17 September 1955
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Lewis C., Roberts P., Neale D., Harrison R., Geddes J., Lundstrum C., Hughes C., Lewis D.
After leading by 2-0 at the interval the Hammers advanced to 3-0 only for their opponents to score twice and come back into the game. However, this proved only temporary and before the closure our youngsters were well ahead, Lundstrurn completed a hat-trick and C. Hughes, D. Lewis and one "own goal" completed our tally.
WATFORD
Vicarage Road
1 - 2 (Geddes)
24 September 1955
McGuire G., Howe A., Cates J., Lewis C., Walker R., Swann D., Harrison R., Geddes J., Lundstrum C., Lyall J., Lewis D.
Against a physically-superior side our lads had a very even share of the game and it was unfortunate that the home side snatched a win two minutes from time to win by 2-1.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Green Silley Weir
0 - 3
1 October 1955
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Lewis C., Roberts P., McDonald T., Harrison R., Hughes C., Lundstrum C., Crabbe J., Lewis D.
At the Green Silley Weir Ground Tottenham Hotspur Costs" XI had a brilliant ten minutes' spell immediately after the interval when they met our Colts' team in the S.E, Counties League. Three goals during that time settled the destination of the points and the Spurs returned home as 3-0 victors. Apart from this our youngsters did rather well, and were not disgraced in the other 80 minutes.
BRENTFORD : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (First Round)
Griffin Park
2 - 0 (Barrick, McDonald)
6 October 1955
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall
Roberts
Obeney
Hughes
Fenn
Pyke
Barrick
McDonald T.
Smith J.
Our Colts brought off a very good performance beating Brentford Colts by 2-0 at Griffin Park under floodlights in a First Round tie of the Southern Counties Junior Floodlight Tournament.
We fielded a mixed amateur-professional combination of under-18's for this game.
Five minutes before the interval a good shot by Macdonald into the corner of the net gave us the lead; our second came eight minutes after the resumption when Barrick made a swerving run from the half-way line and drove the bail home from just inside the penalty box.
In a good all-round display Fenn made a thrustful leader whilst Pyke played a stalwart game at wing-half to lend excellent support to his forwards.
ARSENAL
Southgate
0 - 7
8 October 1955
McGuire G., East C., Howe A., Lewis C., Roberts P., Swann D., Harrison R., Geddes J., Scott T., Hughes C., Manning E.
Our Colts suffered a 7-0 reverse in their S.E. Counties League game. Arsenal Colts gaining a victory at Southgate by a score that rather flattered them. Already weakened by injuries and the absence of five players on County duty, our youngsters fielded only three of the side that defeated Brentford in the Floodlight Youth Tourney and an injury to Roberts just before the interval further handicapped our side's efforts.
For 30 minutes we held their more experienced opponents and then a harsh penalty award altered the course of the game. Goulden scored from the spot then a minute later Roberts defelected a hard drive from Nicholas past his oe=wn goalkeeper. A fine individual effort by Bennett put Arsenal three ahead at the interval.
Lewis and Swann were industrious wing halves for West Ham but the forwards found it difficult to make headway on the exceedingly small pitch. Roberts never completely recovered from a hard blow he received on the head in the first half and McGuire who played courageously had little chance with the additional goals scored by Bennett, Dennis, Miller and Goulden.
CHELSEA
Green Silley Weir
2 - 2 (Lewis C., Lundstrum)
15 October 1955
McGuire G., East C., Smith T., Lewis C., Roberts P., Swann D., McDonald T., Lundstrum C., Fenn G., Lyall J., Lewis D.
Our Colts brought off one of the best performances, for they held the undefeated Chelsea Colts to a 2-2 draw after being two down in the early stages. West Ham deservedly checked the all conquering run of Chelsea juniors and had Tony McDonald made better use of a fine opportunity in the last minute they would have brought off a surprise win.
Chelsea had the best of matters for a start and after 15 minutes a fine run and centre by Sluman enabled Clarkson to give them the lead. When a speculative effort by Greaves put Chelseas in front things looked black for the home side but five minutes before the interval a splendid goal by outside-left Dave Lewis kept the issue open.
West Ham stared the second half in determined manner George Fenn and Colin Lundstrum often created panic among Chelsea's rear-guard with their persistent thrusts - it was no surprise when as a result of a combined effort between these two, Lundstrum equalised with a low shot.
ARSENAL
Green Silley Weir
2 - 5 (Lyall, McDonald)
29 October 1955
McGuire G., East C., Marshall K., Hambling M., Howe A., Lewis C., McDonald T., Barrick A., Lundstrum C., Lyall J., Casey J.
The Colts started off their South Eastern League fixture against Arsenal Colts in most encouraging fashion at Wanstead last Saturday, McDonald intercepting a faulty back-pass after a quarter-of-an-hour's play to net an opportunist goal. However, the Gunners equalised before the interval through Bennett, a lively inside-forward who easily beat McGuire to level the score.
Arsenal rearranged their team for the second-half, and they found a way to pierce West Ham's defence. Cox 2, and Dodson 2, added further goals for Arsenal before Lyall replied for the Hammers to make the final result 2-5 against our youngsters,
LUTON TOWN : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Second Round)
Town Ground, Luton
7 - 3 (McDonald 2, Smith 2, Barrick, Fenn, Pyke)
2 November 1955
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall
Pyke
Roberts
Obeney
McDonald
Lundstrum
Fenn
Smith J.
Barrick
On Wednesday evening the Colts mcl Luton Town Colts in the Second Round of the Southern Floodlight Youth Tournament at Kenilworth Road. After being two down in ten minutes our lads made a brilliant recovery to enter the Semi-Final by a 7-3 win. Our scorers were Pyke, Macdonald (2), Fenn, Smith (2) and Barrick.
ROMFORD : FA Youth Cup (Second Round)
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Brooklands
4 - 1 (Fenn 3, Barrick)
5 November 1955
Rhodes
East C.
Swann D.
Pyke M.
Roberts P.
Lewis C.
McDonald T.
Lundstrum C.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Barrick A.
Our Colts visited Romford Colts in the Second Round of the F.A. Youth Cup at the Brooklands ground.
The Hammers were inclined to be rather casual until their opponents took the lead in the first half, but once stirred into action they won fairly comfortably by a 4-1 margin, after holding a 3-1 interval lead. The most notable feature of the game was a "hat-trick" by Fenn, our other scorer being Barrick.
BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING : London Minor Cup
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Park View Road
1 - 2 (Lyall)
12 November 1955
McAlpine C.
East C.
Howe A.
Reed A.
Roberts P.
Lewis C.
Harrison R.
Bolton B.
Lyall J.
Hughes C.
Lewis D.
Our Colts team lost by 2-1 to Bexleyheath & Welling Colts in the London Minor Cup. Although being in the lead at half-time they failed to hold the Kent side after the interval; a defensive error let in Bexley for the equaliser and a good goal sealed their fate.
CHELSEA
Hendon
1 - 8 (Harrison)
19 November 1955
McGuire G., East C., Howe A., Hamblyn M., Roberts P., Reed A., Barrick A., Lundstrum C., Fenn G., Smith J., Lewis D.
Facing a very strong Chelsea Colts" side our Colts received a crushing 8-1 defeat in a South Eastern Counties League game. The three professionals in the Pensioners' line-up made a great deal of deference, and although Harrison's goal for the Hammers was well-deserved it was the only response to mostly "one way traffic."
CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park
2 - 1 (Fenn [pen], Lundstrum)
26 November 1955
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Lewis C., Roberts P., Lyall J., Harrison R., Waites G., Lockwood J., Hughes C., Lewis D.
Strengthened by the inclusion of three of their ground staff boys, West Ham deservedly gained two points from Crystal Palace. Lewis can, on occasions produce a fine turn of speed, and following a strong run of his on the left wing, Smith gained possession and although his shot at goal was partially saved, Lundstrum followed up and drove the ball home for the first goal after 10 minutes.
Palace equalised after 25 minutes when McGuire surprisingly misjudged a ground shot from their inside-left. With the score at 1-1, West Ham started the second half in determined manner. In spite of an injury to Lundstrum, which kept him off the field for 15 minutes, they set up a series of attacks in which Fenn and Barrick were prominent. From one of these Barrick was brought down and George Fenn made no mistake from the penalty.
WATFORD : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)
Vicarage Road
1 - 0 (Fenn)
10 December 1955
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall K.
Pyke
Roberts P.
Hambling M.
McDonald T.
Lundstrum C.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Barrick A.
Although we came through safely by the only goal of the game, the 1,500 attendance had an entertaining afternoon despite the gusty wind spoiling some of the movements.
West Ham deserved their success and a solitary goal scored by George Fenn 10 minutes into the second half was sufficient to put Hammers into the last 16 of the competition, and they will go into a draw which embraces an equal number of clubs from the North and the South, among whom our opponents will come from clubs such as Bristol City, Luton Town, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Briggs Sports, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
WATFORD : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Semi-Final)
Vicarage Road
5 - 3 (Fenn 2, Lundstrum 2, McDonald)
13 December 1955 (Programme dated 5 December)
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall K.
Pyke
Roberts
Obeney
McDonald
Lundstrum
Fenn
Smith J.
Barrick
Our Colts paid their second visit to the Vicarage Road Ground within the space of three days when they opposed Watford Colts. Our Colts' visited Watford Colts in the Semi-Final of the Southern Junior Floodlight Tournament at the Vicarage Road Ground.
In a ding-dong tussle our XI put up a very good show against fancied opponents, and by winning 5-3 qualified to meet Chelsea or Portsmouth in the Final, The superior play of our half-back line was a big factor in the victory, but the forwards nevertheless accepted their chances when they were offered and scored some splendid goals.
Watford opened the scoring in the fifth minute and twenty minutes passed before Fenn put us level. However we were only on even terms again for two minutes before Townsend added another goal to his first one to make it 2-1 for the home side. Then came two Hammers' goals, Lundstrum netting the first (29 mins.) and Fenn the next (right on half-time) to make it 3-2.
Six minutes after the start of the second half Bunce put the Blues back in the game again, and then came a very keen duel before Macdonald (62 mins.) and Lundstrum (70 mins.) made the issue safe.
BRENTFORD
Green Silley Weir
2 - 1 (Lyall, Waites)
31 December 1955
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Lewis C., Roberts P., Lyall J., Harrison R., Waites G., Lockwood J., Hughes C., Lewis D.
REPORT:
CHELSEA : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Final)
Upton Park
1 - 2 (McDonald)
3 January 1956
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall K.
Pyke
Roberts
Obeney
McDonald
Lundstrum
Fenn
Smith J.
Barrick
Although rated as a 100-1 on chance by Daily Mail reporter Doug Wilson. Chelsea Colts had a difficult job to force a 2-1 win in the Final of the Southern Junior Floodlight Cup. Indeed, the visitors could consider themselves fortunate to gain the spoils in a game that provided first-rate football, despite the heavy mist spoiling the match as a spectacle for the 5,000 present.
First-time tackling by the Hammers' defence and a fine goalkeeping performance by Rhodes kept the much-vaunted Chelsea forward-line at bay until Nicholas equalised in the 64th minute, and it was an in-off-the-post shot by Allen three minutes from time that gained his side the day when he evaded Roberts for the first real chance he had.
At the other end our forwards gave the visiting goalkeeper several anxious moments, and Medlock brought off the save of the match when he turned a "blaster" from Smith round the post. McDonald hammered the ball home in the 20th minute after Barrick and Lundstrum had seen their efforts charged down, and the Hammers' front-line compared extremely favourably with their rivals'.
WATFORD : South East Counties League Cup
Green Silley Weir
4 - 3 (Lewis D. 2, Race 2)
14 January 1956
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Hambling M., Roberts P., Lewis C., Race J., Waites G., Lundstrum C., Hughes C., Lewis D.
The Colts scored their third cup competition win of the season over Watford, adding a 4-3 victory in the S.E. Counties League Cup to previous wins by 5-3 in the Southern Junior Floodlight Cup and 1-0 in the F.A. Youth Cup against the Blues this season. This latest encounter took place at the Green, Silley Weir Ground at Wanstead.
We were losing by 3-1 at the interval, but a magnificent second-half recovery turned this adversity into a triumphant victory. Our side on this occasion was not at full strength owing to several "first stringers" being on duty with other teams, but our XI did extremely well to beat practically the same opposing line-up that had done duty in the earlier fixtures.
BRENTFORD
Gunnersbury
1 - 0 (Lewis D.)
21 January 1956
Rhodes, Howe A., Marshall K., Southren B., Roberts P., Lewis C., Reed A., Harrison R., Fenn G., Barrick A., Lewis D.
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Cheshunt
1 - 5 (Lundstrum)
28 January 1956
McGuire G., Harrison R., Howe A., Hamblyn M., Roberts P., Lewis C., Race J., Waites G., Lundstrum C., Hughes C., Lewis D.
We fielded a rather younger-than-usual Colts; XI agaunst Tottenham Hotspur at Chehunt. The better experience of the Spurs enabled them to accept their chances on the difficult surface, and they led by 3-0 at the interval. Lundstrum reduced our arrears in the second half, but with Hughes sustaining a pulled musle that put him out of the game the Hammers finally succumbed by 5-1.
CHELSEA : FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round)
Upton Park
1 - 3 (Fenn)
8 February 1956
Rhodes
Howe A.
Marshall K.
Pyke M.
Roberts P.
Obeney
McDonald T.
Lundstrum C.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Barrick A.
This F.A. Youth cup game was played before a 1,500 attendance, after being postponed nine days earlier through the ground being unfit.
The Young Pensioners secured a 3-1 margin in this second cup-tie between the two sides in a month. However, it was unanimously agreed that lost chances cost us the verdict on this occasion, as from the territorial point of view we had more of the play than our opponents (indicated by our 10-4 margin of corner-kicks).
All three of the Chelsea goals came from opportunist efforts. The first in the opening minute, was the outcome of a long pass to the right winger, who raced away to the goal-line and pulled the ball into the centre for Allen to side-foot it home. Right winger Baker also had a hand in the other two, as on each occasion he sent in a shot from an angle which Rhodes could only parry, and Nicholas (40 mins) and Allen (74 mins) added the finishing touch.
Despite the disappointment of having a first minute goal against them, our youngsters were on equal terms in the fifth minute, Fenn lobbing the ball over the advancing goalkeeper's head after good approach work by Obeney and Barrick. From thence onwards until the visitors again went ahead the Hammers were on top, Obeney and Pyke opening up the play with some excellent through-passes. However, we failed to capitalise on these, even to the extent of missing a glorious opportunity to equalise after the interval and consequently paid the penalty.
BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING
Park View Road
3 - 1 (Race 2, Geddes)
11 February 1956
McGuire G.
Howe A.
Marshall K.
Geddes J.
Roberts P.
Bolton B.
Race J.
Waites G.
Harrison R.
Hughes C.
Lewis D.
REPORT:
PORTSMOUTH
Fratton Park
1 - 1 (Hughes)
18 February 1956
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Southren J., Roberts P., Lewis C., Race J., Geddes J., Hughes C., Lyall J., Lewis D.
Hughes put us ahead early in the game but Pompey equalised to share the points in a rather scrappy game that was played under difficult conditions.
BRENTFORD : South East Counties League Cup (Second Round ~ 1st leg)
Green Silley Weir
0 - 1
25 February 1956
McGuire G., Howe A., Marshall K., Geddes J., Lewis C., Lyall J., Harrison R., Blackett L., Brandley K., Hughes C., Lewis D.
Our Colts met Brentford Colts in a South Eastern Counties Cup-tie match at Wanstead, being defeated by the only goal. However, the Young Hammers were most unfortunate to go under, for John Geddes sustained a broken leg that left us short-handed after half-an-hour's play, which handicap was sufficient to turn the tide in the opposition's favour.
BRENTFORD : South East Counties League Cup (Second Round ~ 2nd leg)
Gunnersbury
2 - 3 (Brandley 2)
3 March 1956
McAlpine C., Lee N., Marshall K., Harrison R., Lewis C., Lyall J., Young T., Hughes C., Brandley K., Waites G., Lewis D.
Facing a 0-1 deficit after the first "leg," our Colts went under by 3-2 in the second "leg" of the South Eastern Counties League Cup, for Brentford Colts to win by 4-2 on aggregate. Two goals by Brandley had put our youngsters in front with 20 minutes to go, but the stronger Bees' XI fought back to gain a deserved success.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Green Silley Weir
4 - 4 (Waite 2, Lewis C., Young)
10 March 1956
McGuire G., East C., Howe A., Reed D., Roberts P., Lyall J., Young T., Waites G., Lewis C., Blackett D., Lewis D.
Our Colts' fixture against Crystal Palace Colts in the South Eastern Counties League ended in a 4-4 draw. With the score at 2-2 one of our lads was injured and had to leave the field; during his absence the Palace went ahead with two further goals, but upon his return the Hammers rallied to force a sharing of the spoils in a splendid tussle.
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
1 - 2 (Lewis D.)
17 March 1956
Brooks G., East C., Smith T., Matthews L., Jackson B., Howe K., Stanyard T., Lees B., Banks B., Blackett L., Lewis D.
Several of these youngsters wore nuking first appearances. but did very well against a more experienced side, a goal in the last minute bringing the Cottagers' a 2-1 win after an interesting game. Lewis scored the Hammers' goal.
PORTSMOUTH
Green Silley Weir
2 - 2 (Brandley, Lewis D.)
24 March 1956
McGuire G., East C., Howe A., Battram R., Roberts P., Lewis C., Young T., Lees B., Brandley K., Harrison R., Lewis D.
The match against Portsmouth Colts in the South Eastern Counties took place at Wanstead. The result was a 2-2 draw, the visitors equalising shortly before the finish. Brandley and Lewis had given us a two-goal lead, but Pompey fought back well to gain their point.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Green Silley Weir
2 - 3 (Lewis D., Rapley)
7 April 1956
McGuire G., Battram R., Howe A., Matthews L., Roberts P., Rapley M., Race J., Bolton B., Walker R., Lewis D., Manning E.
No less than ten of our regular Colts" team were playing for the 'A' or 'B' Teams, and as a result several of the Juniors' players lined-up against Charlton Athletic Colts in the South Eastern Counties League match at Wanstead.
Goals by Rapley and Lewis were sufficient to give us a 2-1 half-time lead, but the Robins equalised about seven minutes from time and made it 3-2 a couple of minutes he fore the end to take both points.
WATFORD
Green Silley Weir
2 - 5 (Kent, Lewis)
14 April 1956
Wilkes M., East C., Howe A., Kirkup J., Roberts P., Rapley M., Young T., Bolton B., Kent A., Jackson B., Lewis D.
Our Colts were defeated by 5-2 in their South Eastern Counties League match against Watford Colts at Wanstead. The Hammers were two down at the interval, and the very useful visiting team maintained this superiority through most of the second half.
FULHAM
Green Silley Weir
2 - 0 (Lewis D., Young)
21 April 1956
Goymer B., East C., Howe A., Bolton R., Walker R., Counsell T., Race J., Young T., Brandley K., Blackett L., Lewis D.
The Colts beat Fulham Colts at Wanstead who have now finished their season's programme and occupy a mid-way position in the table. The League was won by Arsenal Colts.
