WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1951-52 Eastern Counties League
WISBECH TOWN
Fenland Park
3 - 1 (Chapman, Petchey, Williams)
18 August 1951
Turner
Kearns
Armstrong
Malcolm
Bradly
Noakes
Bing
Williams
Chapman
Petchey
Wishart
REPORT:
NEWMARKET TOWN
Cricket Field Road
4 - 1 (Kearns 2, Williams 2)
25 August 1951
Chiswick
Wright
Bond
Malcolm
Bradly
Noakes
Armstrong
Williams
Kearns
Petchey
Dixon
Opening in startling fashion we went ahead when Fred Kearns netted after four seconds, and gained a convincing 4-0 lead when Fred netted his second after 15 minutes and Harry Williams added two more, the first just before half-time and the second after the interval. The home side reduced the arrears near the finish when a forward intercepted a pass-back, but there was never any doubt as to the destination of the points, despite Tommy Dixon sustaining a knee injury that handicapped our XI to some extent.
SORRY NO IMAGE
CLACTON TOWN
Old Road
1 - 2 (Petchey)
1 September 1951
Chiswick
Cooper F.
Kearns
Cox F.
Armstrong
Noakes
Beckford
Pringle
Petchey
McVeigh
Dixon
The home side, under the player-managership of Bob Carrie, ex-Colchester United inside-right, were two up at half-time, and it appeared likely that they might tako further advantage of the inexperience of our team in the-second-half to add to these tallies. However, our professionals maintained a persistence that brought a fine rally, George Petchey netting ten minutes rom time to round off a good individual display in the centre, whilst Fred Kearns and Eric Armstrong successfully broke up the Seasiders' attacks. We would also mention that Tommy Dixon was working under handicap of an injury on the left-flank, though he is no stranger to the position, having played there whilst with Newcastle United.
SORRY NO IMAGE
ARSENAL 'A'
Claremont Road, Hendon FC
1 - 3 (Foan)
5 September 1951
Chiswick
Cooper F.
Nelson B.
McGowan
Armstrong
Noakes
Foan
Gregory J.
Dixon
Williams
Wade
This was a somewhat disappointing display by our XI, in a match where all the goals were scored in the first half. Albert Foan, who showed to advantage on the right-wing, netted our tally. In the second-half we held the Gunners, but might have gained a point had we pressed home our attacking moves.
WISBECH TOWN : ECL Cup (Second Round)
Fenland Park
2 - 1 (Foan, Nelson)
8 September 1951
Chiswick
Kearns
Bond
Armstrong
Nelson
Noakes
Broster
Foan
Chapman
Wade
Tucker
The excitement during this game was reserved until the final ten minutes, when Wisbech scored their goal. They maintained this lead until two minutes from time, when a corner-kick taken by Don Wade was headed home by Bill Nelson. With odds-on extra-time being necessary we snatched victory in the last half-minute; Fred Kearns took the ball down the wing from the full-back position, crossed it, and Albert Foan just got his foot to the pass to divert it for a 2-1 victory.
SORRY NO IMAGE
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Abbey Stadium
0 - 0
22 September 1951
Peters
Bond
Armstrong
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Nelson
Petchey
Gregory J.
Dixon
Wade
Our "A" Team broke fresh ground when they visited Cambridge United. This new dub (formerly known as Abbey United) effectively proved the interest which the Eastern Counties League holds for, despite the counter-attraction of the match between Cambridge City and Pegasus (the Amateur Cup holders) there was a 2,300 attendance at our fixture.
Of the game there is little to say except that the goalless draw represented the play, for both defences were completely on top throughout. In our own rearguard a pleasing feature was the good form of Ken Brown, our amateur centre-half, who has shown up well in the last couple of matches.
CHELSEA 'A'
Upton Park
6 - 4 (Chapman 3, Gregory, Tucker, Wade)
1 October 1951
Turner
Cooper F.
Bond
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Chapman
Gregory J.
Dixon
Wade
Tucker
Taking the initial aggression, the Hammers soon found themselves three up, A defensive blunder let Eddie Chapman in to score the first; the second came when Don Wade found himself just inside the penalty box with the ball at his feet, and he made no mistake with his shot; the third was the result of a long down-field pass by John Bond to Eddie Chapman who scored a similar goal to our second counter. Chelsea's penalty goal completed the first-half scoring.
It was somewhat different after the interval for the Pensioners soon added three goals to take a 4-3 lead, but our X.I fought back to equalise when Ken Tucker rammed one home from 15 yards. The goal which gave us the lead was a difficult one to relate, for Johnny Gregory's shot hit a defender, the upright and the cross-bar before finding, its way just over the line. Bu we made the issue safe at 6-4 when Eddie Chapman completed his hat-trick, a long kick by Bond being headed over the defence to leave our outside-right in a good position to take the ball on and net from close in.
SORRY NO IMAGE
GILLINGHAM Reserves
Priestfield Stadium
1 - 0 (Dixon)
6 October 1951
Chiswick
Kearns
Bond
Armstrong
Bradly
Wade
Broster
Petchey
Dixon
Foan
Tucker
Tommy Dixon scored the only goal of the game five minutes after the start at Gillingham to bring us a useful brace of Eastern Counties League points from a rather uninteresting game, although we could fairly claim that our lads deserved the spoils
SORRY NO IMAGE
COLCHESTER UNITED Reserves
Layer Road
1 - 2 (Gregory)
13 October 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Bond
Armstrong
Bradly
Wade
Kirby K.
Gregory J.
Brown K.
Petchey
Tucker
The non-arrival of Ken Broster (due to Army duties) forced us to make a late re-shuffle in the forward line, and Ken Kirby, usually an outside-left, took the field as outside-right, whilst Ken Brown (twelfth man for the day) came in at centre-forward (he is usually a centre-half).
However, despite these mishaps, our XI made a good showing, finally succumbing by the odd gal in three, Johnny Gregory netting for the Hammers in the first half to give us an interval lead that could not be held against a strong home team. Young Kirby made a promising initial appearance, and we shall be giving him a further trial in his normal position at a later date.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'A'
Upton Park
3 - 1 (Williams 2, Kearns)
15 October 1951
Chiswick
Cooper F.
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Wade
Southren
Williams
Kearns
Petchey
Tucker
The North Londoners fielded an experienced XI, in an even opening half each team scored once, Harry Williams being our scorer. Harry added a second after the breather and then a fine individual effort by Fred Kearns brought it to 3-1 at the final whistle.
HARWICH & PARKESTON
Royal Oak Ground
2 - 0 (Kearns, Petchey)
20 October 1951
Chiswick
Bond
Nelson B.
Armstrong
Brown
Wade
Kirby K.
Petchey
Kearns
Tucker
Gunning P.
The "A" team defeated the hiterto undefeated Harwich and Parkeston side at Royal Oak. This win put us into fourth place in the table and very much levelled up matters at the top. This was Ken Brown's first game as a professional, and our two amateurs Ken Kirby and Pat Gunning, also showed good form in a cohesive side. These two amateur wingers are in the Army.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Abbey Stadium
0 - 1
17 October 1951
Peters
Nelson
Bond
Armstrong
Brown
Noakes
Broster
Barrett
Hooper
Wade
Gunning P.
Tommy Dixon had been selected for centre-forward, but the referee refused him permission to play, considering that the plaster which Tommy wore on his wrist to mend a broken bone might be dangerons to opposing players.
There was an attendance of over 3,500 to see Cambridge retain their undefeated record by the only goal — scored with a first-time effort near the end after a very good game.
CLACTON TOWN : ECL Cup (Third Round)
Old Road Ground
3 - 1 (Chapman 2, Noakes)
10 November 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Bond
Malcolm
Brown
Armstrong
Bing
Petchey
Chapman
Wade
Noakes
With the advantage of the wind at their backs the home side attacked for the first quarter-of-an-hour, but we came back with some near-misses until they broke away to score after 20 minutes. Gradually gaining the upper hand our lads reaped their reward five minutes before the interval; Eddie Chapman pushed the ball out to Andy Malcolm who had run out to the wing; Andy crossed to George Petchey who breasted the ball down for Alf Noakes to met with a rising shot. With the wind in their favour after the interval the Hammers maintained their superiority and a Bing-Chapman move led to the latter netting after 15 minutes of the second-half. With five minutes reaining John Bond's free-kick found Chapman on hand in the penalty-area to head home his second and give ua a comfortable victory.
SORRY NO IMAGE
GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN
Wellesley Recreation Ground
1 - 0 (Chapman)
17 November 1951
Peters
Nelson
Cooper F.
Billings D.
Brown
Armstrong
Malcolm
Chapman
Stern M.
Foan
Wade
Our team proved stronger than the Seasiders for the whole of the ninety minutes, and had their finishing been up to the standard of their approach work they would have had a hatful of goals. As it was, the only tally of the game came after half-an-hour when Eddie Chapman converted Don Wade's corner-kick. Previously to this Peter Peters had parried a penalty-shot awarded to the home side, but the respective differences in League positions was amply justified by the amount of the play in our favour.
SORRY NO IMAGE
GILLINGHAM Reserves
Priestfield Stadium
0 - 2
24 November 1951
Chiswick
Nelson
Bond
Malcolm
Brown
Armstrong
Hooper
Bing
Chapman
Petchey
Wade
The attendance at Priestfield Stadium for our Eastern Counties League match against Gillingham Reserves was affected by the flow of home supporters to Selhurst Park for the Medway reams F.A. Cup Tie with Crystal Palace, Those who remained, however, saw an interesting game in which Gillingham avenged their earlier 1-0 defeat on the same ground.
This might not have been the case had we taken our chances early in the game, although the home custodian's parrying of some of our efforts seemed to be a case of "more by luck than judgment" This lack of success resulted in the score sheet remaining blank at the interval.
In the second-half it- was our opponents who had the majority of the play (although it should be mentioned that a pulled muscle considerably handicapped Don Wade from the half-way stage onwards), and they went ahead with a shot that glanced off the inside of the post. The second tally came after several attempts had been blocked by our defenders, the 2-0 victory putting Giillingham into the runners-up position in the table,
SORRY NO IMAGE
LOWESTOFT TOWN
Crown Meadow
1 - 0 (Southren)
1 December 1951
Peters
Armstrong
Cooper
Malcolm
Brown
Bradly
Hooper
Southren
Robinson
Petchey
Gunning H.
The Eastern Counties League match at Lowestoft was evenly-contested, and although we gained both points it is only fair to state that a draw might havte proved to be a more correct reflection of the play. However, the Hammers were the more efficient side in the second-half, and a switch on the right-wing between Tommy Southren and Harry Hooper resulted in the former scorinig the only goal. In our defence Peter Peters excelled himself, particularly in the first half.
CHELMSFORD CITY Reserves
New Writtle Street
1 - 3 (Armstrong)
8 December 1951
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Wade
Bing
Armstrong
Chapman
Bradly
Gunning H.
REPORT:
SORRY NO IMAGE
GORLESTON
Recreation Ground
2 - 2 (Foan, Hooper)
15 December 1951
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Moroney
Hooper
Petchey
Chapman
Foan
Tucker
The home side held the upper hand in the first quarter-of-an-hour, but we came back for Harry Hoper to net with a good shot from outside the penalty-box. A free-kick was awarded to Gorleston ten minutes later and this resulted in them heading home to make the half-time score 1-1. Halfway through the second-half came another 'mysterious' decision (one of many) giving another free-kick to our opponents, and again the ball was headed in to make it 2-1 against us. However, we continued to have the better of exchanges, and a long ball from Fred Cooper to Eddie Chapman resulted in Albert Foan hitting home a first-timer from the resultant centre to even it up abouth ten minutes from the end.
SORRY NO IMAGE
KING'S LYNN
The Walks
5 - 2 (Chapman 3, Robinson 2 [1 pen])
22 December 1951
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Bing
Robinson
Chapman
Wade
Gunning H.
Against third-placed Kings Lynn the Hammers went ahead in the first minute, Bill Robinson beating the goalkeeper from just outside the penalty-box. After 10 minutes it became 2-0 when Robinson made headway and shot, the rebound coming to Doug Bing for the latter to pass to Eddie Chapman who side-footed it in. The Linnets reduced the arrears after 25 minutes, but two minutes from the interval Robinson converted a penalty after he had been fouled. Keeping well on top, our lads made it 4-1 when Andy Malcolm pushed through a pass for Chapman to net, and five minutes later Eddie completed his second hat-trick of the season when Don Wade moved over to the right-wing to start another good movement. With a 5-1 lead our lads then took it easy and the home side marked up their second wiith ten minutes to go.
SORRY NO IMAGE
GREAT YARMOUTH TOWN
Wellesley Recreation Ground
4 - 0 (Barrett 3, Chapman)
29 December 1951
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Bing
Barrett
Chapman
Wade
Gunning H.
The Hammers held the initiative from start to finish, and when Eddie chapman opened the score after ten minutes during a goalmouth melee it was really a case of "how wide a margin" A few minutes later Jimmy Barrett side-footed home a pass from Harry Gunning, and we crossed over two up. Fifteen minutes after the interval a throw-in by Alf Noakes to Gunning was returned to Alf whose cross into the goalmouth hit the bar for Barrett to net his second with a header from the rebound. Our inside-right completed his hat-trick ten minutes afterwards when he found the net with his third shot after the first two had been blocked and rebounded to him.
SORRY NO IMAGE
KING'S LYNN
The Walks
2 - 0 (Barrett, Chapman)
5 January 1952
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Southren
Barrett
Chapman
Wade
Gunning H.
West Ham started lively, but eventually Lynn got into their stride and West Ham had some narrow escapes. Nelson almost beat Peters with a pass back, then Peters was baulked by his own defenders trying to catch a high ball, but managed to clear. Morris, with a first-time lob, land Dix from a corner, each went near. At the other end Chapman broke through the Lynn defence, but was checked by Stephens.
West Ham, quicker on the ball, played with more precision and gave Lynn defence plenty of work. Howe was in brilliant form, however, and West Ham's best effort came from Barrett who struck the post with a flashing cross drive.
Lynn were being made to fight hard and were having little success against a sound, speedy defence. Then came Lynn's turn. Wade hit the bar, Chapman headed over from a good position, then Hooper saved brilliantly from Wade.
After sustained West Ham pressure, Lynn got away again and Morris, neatly beating Nelson, had a point blank shot tipped over the bar. In the second half Barrett and Chapman scored for West Ham, and the Hammers’ goalkeeper Peters saved a penalty kick by Whitelum.
COLCHESTER UNITED Reserves
Layer Road
1 - 0 (Malcolm)
12 January 1952
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Southren
Robinson
Chapman
Foan
Wade
In a very hard game a goal scored by Andy Malcolm in the second-half brought us a victory over a side which also had its chances to win.
CHELMSFORD CITY Reserves
New Writtle Street
7 - 0 (Barrett 4, Williams 2, Southren)
19 January 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Southren
Williams
Barrett
Petchey
Gunning H.
Our 'A' Team defeated Chelmsford City by seven clear goals in a very one-sided game in which we led by 4-0 at half-time. Playing at centre-forward for the first time this seaosn Jimmy Barrett netted four times.
ARSENAL 'A'
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Robinson, Wade)
23 January 1952
Peters
Cooper
Nelson B.
Robinson
Brown
Armstrong
Hooper
Burdon P.
Barrett
Petchey
Wade
The splendid run of success by out third-team has put them in second place in the table, whilst the Gunners had a record of six games without defeat. The game lived up to expectations and we were pleased to record a 2-1 success, Bill Robinson and Don Wade each scoring once. However, we were nearly robbed of victory by a harsh decision in the closing seconds, but Peter Peters saved the final kick of the match from a penalty.
SORRY NO IMAGE
NEWMARKET TOWN
Cricket Field Road
3 - 2 (Kearns 2, Armstrong)
2 February 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Armstron
Gregory
Kearns
Petchey
Bing
Our 'A' Team gained a late success at Newmarket as they scored two goals in the last six minutes to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory.
SORRY NO IMAGE
GORLESTON
Recreation Ground
4 - 2 (Williams 2, Robinson, Southren)
23 February 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Forde
Malcolm
Brown
Armstrong
Southren
Chapman
Robinson
Williams
Wade
The Hammers' overcame the 'Green shirts' in no uncertain manner by winning 4-2 at the Recreation Ground stadium. This well-blended mixture of youth and experience went ahead after a quarter-of-an-hour when Bill Robinson accepted a pass from Harry Williams and scored with a left-foot shot as the 'keeper advanced. About ten minutes afterwards Williams added a second with the goalie unsighted, and we went off at the interval two up. A very fine move between half-a-dozen of our team abouth 15 minutes after the interval ended with us netting, only for the goal to be disallowed, but this was soon discounted when Tommy Southren scored shortly afterwards. Our fourth tally brought Williams his second goal, when he fastened on to a long pass and lobbed it ver the 'keepers head from the edge of the penalty-box, with Gorleston appealing for 'off-side'. Indeed it was offside-tactics that brought about the home sides downfall, and it was not until they abandoned these that they showed to advantage, scoring a couple of late consolation goals.
CHELSEA 'A'
Stamford Bridge
1 - 5 (Williams)
1 March 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Forde
Malcolm
Brown
Noakes
Bing
Williams
Chapman
Gregory J.
Bradly
The very fine run came to a sudden halt when they lost to Chelsea 'A' at Stamford Bridge by 5-1. The Hammers paid the price of too-close passing on the big Stamford Bridge ground, and the more direct methods of the fast improving Chelsea side proved to be the main difference in the final results. The Pensioners scored four goals in about 15 minutes in the first half, and although we were in better form after the interval our sole tally was scored by Harry Williams.
WISBECH TOWN
Fenland Park
2 - 3 (Chapman, Williams)
8 March 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Forde
Malcolm
Brown
Wade
Bing
Gregory
Chapman
Williams
Gunning H.
After a quiet five minutes the game suddenly burst into life when Foster put Wisbech in the lead with a high propping shot from out on the right wing. West Ham broke through from the kick-off and a shot by Chapman was deflected by Levy onto an upright. At the far end Downer achieved the near impossible when standing only a few yards from the ball he blazed Foster's pass high over the bar.
West Ham, though possibly the more constructive side, were indifferent in their finishing and Wisbech profited by their poor marksmanship. Full-backs Barr and Bailey were playing strongly against the visiting wingers.
In further West Ham attacks, Flowers showed to good advantage with some timely interceptions, but the Wisbech forwards were working together. The visitors were rewarded for their consistent pressure when in the 36th minute Gregory crossed the ball for Chapman to score an easy goal from close range. Three minutes before the interval a Melton corner was headed through a crowd of players by Foster for Ferguson to hook it into the net. Resuming the attack, Wisbech again went close when a Melton centre from near the corner flag hit the cross bar and bounced down into the goalmouth. Downer tried to push the ball through but did not succeed.
The Fenmen were really thirsting for goals. Following a nice move between Grundy and Melton, Ferguson's half made header went for a corner. Chiswick knocked Downer's kick onto the underside of the bar before taking the ball cleanly.
Many more chances were being missed by Wisbech because of off-side. In the 65th minute, however, the Hammers equalised when Williams got clean through. Foster scored the winning goal for Wisbech.
SORRY NO IMAGE
HARWICH & PARKESTON : ECL Cup (Semi-Final)
Royal Oak Ground
0 - 5
15 March 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Brown
Armstrong
Southren
Williams
Gregory J.
Wade
Noakes
REPORT:
SORRY NO IMAGE
BURY TOWN
Kings Road Ground
0 - 3
22 March 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Armstrong
Bradly
Wade
Bing
Williams
Brown
Petchey
Gunning H.
The 'A' Team appears to have run into a difficult patch after a most satisfying run of success which has continued throughout the middle part of their programme after somewhat a slow start. At Bury St. Edmunds we lost 3-0. The low position of Bury Town in the table appeared to offer us good prospects of success, but the Suffolk club soon disproved this theory and gained a good win.
SORRY NO IMAGE
LOWESTOFT TOWN
Crown Meadow
2 - 5 (Burdon, Chapman)
29 March 1952
Chiswick
Forde
Cooper
Malcolm
Brown
Armstrong
Bing
Burdon
Chapman
Williams
Goldsmith
With weather conditions in our favour the first half score was 2-2, Peter Burdon and Eddie Chapman being the scorers, but this would have been 3-2 had a later effort of Chapman's found the net instead of hitting both uprights. But the after-interval period found the conditions against us, and it was no surprise when the home team added three more to win 5-2.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'A'
Hoddesdon Sports Arena
0 - 3
5 April 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Malcolm
Bradly
Armstrong
Bing
Cook P.
Chapman
Gregory
Gunning H.
The small pitch and a high wind considerably hindered the footballing skill of both teams, and the match was not notable for a high standard. With the gale in our favour we should have gained a half-time lead, but the Spurs held us scoreless and then went on to net three times after the interval. The margin would probably have been less had not Keith Bradly and Don Wade been forced to move to the wings with an ankle injury and pulled muscle respectively, but it is only fair to say that the home side earned the two points at stake.
HARWICH & PARKESTON
Royal Oak Ground
0 - 0
11 April 1952
Chiswick
Kearns
Cooper
Hadfield
Armstrong
Noakes
Bing
Chapman
Dixon
Williams
Gunning H.
Tommy Dixon donned our colours for the first time since his wrist was taken out of plaster. He successfully came through a hard game in which play swung from end to end although neither side managed to score.
SORRY NO IMAGE
BURY TOWN
Kings Road Ground
2 - 1 (Dixon 2)
12 April 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Nelson B.
Hadfield
Brown
Armstrong
Bing
Chapman
Dixon
Burdon
Gunning H.
We took a half-time lead against the Suffolk Senior Cup finalists when Tommy Dixon scored with a header. Dixon made it 2-0 after the interval, but the home side fought back to score once and hit the woodwork three times, to lose by 2-1 a game that might have fairly resulted in a draw.
CLACTON TOWN
Old Road Ground
0 - 3
14 April 1952
Chiswick
Cooper
Monk P.
Armstrong
Brown
Nelson A.
Bing
Burdon
Dixon
Gunning H.
Goldsmith
A couple of easy goals put Clacton ahead by 2-0 at half-time and they scored again soon after the re-start. A kick on the head meant that Fred Cooper had to go off for a couple of stitches in the injury, but despite this handicap our XI rallied to hold the home side.
NORWICH CITY 'A'
Upton Park
4 - 1 (Williams 2, Southren, [og])
21 April 1952
Chiswick
Nelson
Marks R.
Malcolm
Nelson A.
Noakes
Southren
Chapman
Hawkins
Williams
Tucker
Our final match of the season was not of a very high standard. The visitors put up a poor display, and the margin of our victory adequately reflected our superiority. Playing against the wind in the first half we led by 1-0 at the interval through a goal by Tommy Southren. Within a quarter-of-an-hour of the resumption we were three up, Harry Williams and an 'own goal' adding to the score. ten minutes later the Canaries reduced the arrears, but within five minutes Williams had netted again to leave the score at 4-1 at the final whistle.
