WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1952-53 Metropolitan League
Manager: Albert Walker
The Metropolitan League is now in its fourth season. Millwall and Skyways FC both left the league at the end of the last campaign. West Ham United's 'B' team will be competing in the competition for the first time along with three new clubs. Haywards Heath (from the Sussex County League), Newbury Town and Southwick (from the Sussex County League)
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WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
0 - 3
23 August 1952
Line-up Unknown
The "B" Team played its first match in the Metropolitan league, visiting Windsor and Eton, the attendance being 1,200. Our fourth-string was an all-amateur side, although we are allowed to include professional players should we so wish. Against a more experienced opposition our youngsters did well and with a little more thrust in the centre and on the wing would have ended with a more even result. As it was the defence had additional work thrust upon it, but nevertheless held on well, especially in the closing stages, and there was no disgrace in the 3-0 defeat, by a club which has a strong reputation in amateur soccer.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Glebe Road
2 - 2 (Hooper, Ricard)
30 August 1952
Turner A.
Ling J.
Monk P.
Swan R.
Nelson A.
Noakes
Hooper
Ricard J.
Cantwell
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
The inclusion of three professionals in our side added more experience, but as our opponents had five pros, we could not claim advantage in that respect.
The visitors took the lead after five minutes with a rising shot from 20 yards; however, this was equalised in the 20th minute when Ricard scored after a good combined movement between Noakes and himself down the left-wing. The ding-dong, end-to-end tussle continued in the second half and Harry Hooper put us ahead with a shot from the edge of the penalty-box, but a late equaliser by Ken Burks (who played for our "A" Team last season) brought a fitting result.
Ricard was the best ball-player on the field, and Alf Noakes showed up very well in the defence. The first appearance of Noel Cantwell in our colours proved interesting, but it is yet too earlv for us to assess his possibilities in English football. The goalkeeping of Alf Turner was a feature of a good game, and he had no opportunity of stopping the two shots that beat him.
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CALLENDARS ATHLETIC
Erith
2 - 1 (Cantwell, Matthews)
3 September 1952
Turner A.
Chapman
Armstrong
Swan R.
Robinson
Waters R.
Bing
Yardley H.
Cantwell
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
On a hard ground with a high wind blowing there was some good football and the interval score of 1-1 was a fair reflection oi the play, our goal having been scored by Noel Cantwell. After the breather the Hammers took the upper hand and a goal by Terry Mathews decided the game in our favour,
We were very pleased to see the clever combination of our left-wing oi Stanley and Mathews (names that also combine to make the name of a player of greater reputation!) and it is encouraging to know that our testing of over 50 players in trial matches has produced two youngsters of such promise.
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HASTINGS UNITED
Pilot Field
0 - 1
6 September 1952
Morhen C.
Billington D.
Nelson B.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Salt K.
Ricard J.
Haynes J.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
REPORT:
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'B'
Cheshunt
2 - 1 (Stanley, King [og])
11 September 1952
Turner
Chapman
Nelson B.
Armstrong
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Bing
Yardley H.
Haynes J.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
This was Haynes' second game for the Hammers, and this six-footer showed useful ability; he is a 17-year-old Youth International from the Brentford area.
A goal in the first half by Stanley gave us an interval lead and we added to this when centre-half King (who has played for the Spurs' First XI) put through his own goal during a hot attack. The Liilywhites reduced the arrears five minutes from the end, but their efforts could not prevent their first defeat in the competition.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
1 - 5 ([og])
13 September 1952ate
Morhen C., Ling J., Marks R., Cox F., Nelson A., Waters R., Chapman, Ricard J., Haynes J., Matthews T., Stanley W.
The "B" Team suffered from the effects of injuries in our other teams last Saturday, and a weakened side sustained a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion "A" on opponents' ground.
With five points from six games our fourth-string has made a fair start to their programme among far stronger opposition than they encountered last season, and they are rapidly gaming the experience which we hope will take them across the stepping-stones to the higher grades of football which they will encounter in our other teams,
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WOODFORD TOWN : FA Youth Cup (First Round)
Woodford
2 - 2 (Mansfield, Matthews)
20 September 1952
Turner A.
Ling J.
Cooper
Swan R.
Nelson A.
Bridge P.
Beisser R.
Burdon
Mansfield D.
Matthews T.
Marshall T.
There are 93 teams entered for the F.A. Youth Cup in its inaugural season, among them the junior sides of several Football League and senior amateur clubs. The teams must consist of players under the age of 18, and may he amateurs or professionals.
Our Junior side entered for the competition, and played their First Round match against Woodford Town Juniors at Woodford.
A very even match, keenly contested, with fast end-to-end play and some really good football ended with a fair result of two goals each, this also being the score at half-time. Our scorers were Mansfield and Matthews.
The winners of the re-play will meet Tottenham Hotspur Juniors in the Second Round.
NEWBURY TOWN
Upton park
6 - 0 (Gregory 5, Noakes)
27 September 1952
Morhen C.
Nelson B.
Marks R.
Swan R.Brown
Noakes
Bing
Ricard J.
Mansfield D.
Gregory
Stanley W.
As our co-tenants required the Glebe Road Ground for a Cup match, our "B" Team's fixture in the Metropolitan League was switched to the Boleyn Ground, and we entertained Newbury Town here after the Combination fixture had ended.
The Berkshire club was at the head of the table when they arrived here, but by the time the game was over they had tumbled into second place, for the Hammers gained a resounding victory by six clear goals. In fairness to our opponents, however, we must admit that our "B" Team was a strong side even on paper. The presence of five professionals in the side was largely due to our "A" Team not having a match, but the six amateurs were not backward in showing their skill, and took their full share in the earning of the points. Johnny Gregory was not down to play in this game, but he came into the side in place of Jimmy Belcher who was put out of action by an abcess; much to Newbury's regret and our delight Johnny capped a fine performance by scoring five of our tallies, and the sixth was added by Aif Noakes with a "25-yarder."
SOUTHWICK
Glebe Road
1 - 1 (Stanley)
4 October 1952
Morhen C.
Ling J.
Marks R.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Billington D.
Ricard J.
Mansfield D.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
REPORT:
WOODFORD TOWN : FA Youth Cup (First Round Replay)
Glebe Road
6 - 3 (Mansfield 5, Matthews) aet 3-3 (90 minutes)
11 October 1952
Morhen C.
Ling J.
Cooper
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Hayward T.
Lill D.
Burdon
Mansfield J.
Matthews T.
Elderford J.
The match was practically a repetition of the first meeting when the teams shared four goals in a ding-dong tussle, except that on this occasion the score was 3-3 at 90 minutes. However, during extra time the effects of stamina induced by extra training was the deciding factor, aaet our youngsters went on to net three without reply and win by 6-3,
There was a personal triumph for centre-forward John Mansfield in netting five times (twice during extra time), our other scorer being Terry Mathews who continues to show increased ability at inside-forward.
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NEWBURY TOWN : metropolitan League Cup
Town Ground
3 - 4 (Gregory 2, Stanley)
18 October 1952
Morhen C.
Ling J.
Cooper
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Malcolm
Ricard J.
Gregory
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
A misunderstanding by the home defence left Bill Stanley in a position to score our first goal, and we were two up when Johnny Gregory succeeded from 25-yards range soon afterwards. Unfortunately it was then that our defence started to break down, and after reducing the arrears before the interval the Berkshire club levelled it up before full-time. They maintained this pressure during the first half of the extra period and two defensive blunders made it 4-2 in their favour. Even then we were not out of the hunt for Johnny Gregory outpaced the whole of their defence after picking up the ball near the half-way line to score our third. Johnny had the opportunity to make it a hat-trick for himself three minutes from the end but he failed with a spot-kick and we succumbed by 4-3 in a hard game. Andy Malcolm showed up very well at outside-right in his first game in that position, and it" more advantage had been taken of the openings he created we could have gained the day.
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LUTON TOWN
Glebe Road
2 - 2 (Frensham 2)
25 October 1952
Morhen C.
Ling J.
Marks R.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Billington D.
Frensham E.
Cooper K.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
After we held a two-goal interval lead. The Hatters included five professionals against our all-amateur side.
The two newcomers to the Hammers line-up - Frensham from an Army team and Cooper from the local Penguin club - both did well, and it was a persona! triumph for Frensham to net twice.
With nine points from nine games and a goal average of 16-16 our fourth-siring now occupy seventh place among the 16 teams in the League,
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DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
2 - 3 (Cooper, Stanley)
1 November 1952
Morhen C.
Brown G.
Marks R.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Ling J.
Ricard J.
Cooper K.
Frensham E.
Stanley W.
Our "B" team lost by 3-2 at Dunstable. The scorers were Bill Stanley and Ken Cooper.
We still hold eighth place in the Metropolitan League table, with nine points from ten games.
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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : FA Youth Cup (Second Round)
Cheshunt
1 - 3 (Unknown)
8 November 1952
Turner A.
Ling J.
Cooper
Swan R.
Nelson A.
Hayward T.
Burdon
White J.
Mansfield R.
Matthews T.
Elderford J.
Our team of under-18 Juniors played Tottenham Hotspur Juniors at Cheshunt in the F,A. Youth challenge Cup Second Round tie.
They were defeated by 3-1, although the margin of success in favour of the young Spurs was rather flattering, for our lads had almost as much of the game and might well have forced a draw.
HASTINGS UNITED Reserves
Bexleyheath & Welling FC
4 - 2 (Mansfield 3, Burdon)
15 November 1952
Turner A.
Ling J.
Marks R.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Burdon
Ricard J.
Mansfield D.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
As our ground at Glebe Road, Dagenham, was not available our "home" game in the Metropolitan League was played on the Bexleyheath & Welling enclosure, the other visitors to the Kent club's ground being Hastings United Reserves.
The teams shared lour goals in the first half but our youngsters got well on top after the change-over to earn their 4 2 success. Mansfield netted a clever hat-trick, Peter Burdon adding our other goal.
HEADINGTON UNITED Reserves
Glebe Road
2 - 5 (Ricard, Stanley)
22 November 1952
Turner A.
Ling J.
Monk P.
Cox F.
Marks R.
Nelson A.
Burdon
Ricard J.
Mansfield D.
Waters R.
Stanley W.
When our "B" Team met Headington United Reserves at Glebe Road, Dagenham they were handicapped by the necessity, of positional changes caused by the absence of some of their "regulars,"
Although Ricard and Stanley each netted once for us, the Oxfordshire club "went nap," being assisted by a couple of penalty-kicks. There was no gainsaying that the Southern Leaguers deserved their success, but we hope to meet them in more favourable circumstances in the return.
The popularity of the Metropolitan League is shown by an item on the Agenda for the next General Meeting of the Clubs. A discussion will take place on the suggested expansion of the League for the 1953-54 season, and one proposal is that there shall be two Divisions of 14 or 16 clubs, dependent upon applications.
HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
1 - 1 (Stanley)
29 November 1952
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Hayward J.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Burdon
Ricard J.
White J.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
There were some newcomers in the side. G. Acreman, a goalkeeper recommended to us from the Colchester area, did very well between the sticks; he made but one error in the second-hall when the elements were all against him, and he handled the greasy ball with confidence, and merits a further trial. Hayward and White are from our Juniors, the latter a 16-year-old who showed good promise.
Considering the conditions there was some top-rate football from two enthusiastic sides. Each side scored whilst having the slope and wind in their favour. Bill Stanley netting our goal in the first half and Haywards Heath squaring it up to 1-1 ten minutes from time.
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LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
2 - 4 (Clarke, Fisher)
6 December 1952
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Hayward J.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Fisher B.
Frensham E.
Clarke J.
Mansfield D.
Jacobs P.
The Hatters fielded their third-string in this competition, and the side on this occasion included eight professionals. It was the factor of full-time training that gave our opponents a decided advantage in the second-half, and although our all-amateur XI was only one down at half-time they eventually succumbed by 4-2.
The Hammers' team was: G. Acreman; J. Ling, J. Hay-ward; F. Cox. Three newcomers to our side all showed promise, and two of them - Clarke and Fisher - were our goal-scorers. Clarke is a youngster from Hornchurch, whilst Fisher and Jacobs were "spotted" in the Cornwall area.
TWICKENHAM ASSOCIATION
Beveree
4 - 1 (Stanley 3, White)
13 December 1952
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Hayward J.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Burdon
Belcher
White J.
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
Playing top-rate first-time along-the-carpet soccer our youngsters spent about 90° of the first half in the opposing half, but unsteadiness in front of goal kept their score down to a single tally by Bill Stanley. However, after the interval they were more on the target and Stanley completed his hat-trick, our other score being made by White, a newcomer from the Romford district, who matte several openings for his other forwards.
This 4-1 success brought our record in the competition to: played 15, won 5, drawn 4, lost 6, goals 31-32, points 14. We are in seventh position among the 16 teams competing.
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TONBRIDGE Reserves
Glebe Road
1 - 4 (Unknown)
20 December 1952
Line-up Unknown
With nine professionals in the visiting team it was not entirely surprising that our fourth-string sustained a 4-1 defeat, for the Kentish club have a wealth of experience gained by their players in the Southern League as well as many ex-Football League stars. However, this factor also fulfils the purpose of our entering the Metropolitan League, for it likewise gives us the opportunity of seeing how our youthful talent is likely to stand up to the higher class of opposition they are likely to meet as they progress upwards through our other sides.
CALLENDERS ATHLETIC
Glebe Road
4 - 1 (White 2, Frensham, Stanley)
3 January 1953
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Frensham
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Milne A.
Frensham A.
White J.
Belcher
Stanley W.
Our
NEWBURY TOWN
Town Ground
0 - 8
10 January 1953
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
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HAYWARDS HEATH
Glebe Road
2 - 3 (Unknown)
17 January 1953
Line-up Unknown
Our "B" Team did not have a very successful day, and nothing went their way in the match against Haywards Heath at the Glebe Road Ground, Dagenham. Despite this misfortune they only lost by 3-2, this also being the score at the interval.
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VICKERS
Oakwood
0 - 0
24 January 1953
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
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DUNSTABLE TOWN
Glebe Road
1 - 0 (Hooper)
31 January 1953
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Cooper
Malcolm
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Hooper
White J.
Dixon
Matthews T.
Stanley W.
Like the majority of matches last Saturday the mie suffered from the weather conditions, and the gale made skilful passing a matter of conjecture. It was therefore no surprise to find the defences on lop for the major portion' of the 90 minutes and when Harry Hooper scored for us it made almost certain that the points would come our way. This proved correct, and we won by 1-0 in a match where we just about held the upper hand. This was a disappointment to the visitors, for it terminated their good run that had carried them into a challenging position.
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VICKERS
Glebe Road
3 - 0 (Noakes, Westwood, Unknown)
14 February 1953
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Nelson B.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
White J.
Westwood J.
Noakes
Belcher
Billington D.
Our "B" Team gained a 3-0 success over Vickers. Alf Noakes did very well at centre-forward, scoring one of our goals, and another was credited to J. Westwood (a youngster from the Newcastle-on-Tyne area on trial).
TONBRIDGE Reserves
Angel Ground
1 - 2 (Noakes)
21 February 1953
Acreman G.
Ling J.
Chapman
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Billington D.
Petchey
Noakes
Matthews T.
Stanton G.
Tonbridge were slightly on top throughout the first half and scored a couple of good goals, but our chaps took the initiative after the breather and reduced the arrears when Alf Noakes scored with a left-foot shot. Maintaining the pressure it looked odds on the Hammers equalising, but the home defence held out to gain the day by 2-1.
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TWICKENHAM ASSOCIATION
Glebe Road
2 - 1 (Unknown)
28 February 1953
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
HORSHAM
Glebe Road
2 - 2 (Chapman, Newman)
14 March 1953
Saunders
Ling J.
Billington
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Lill
Mansfield
Chapman
Newman
Oldland
REPORT:
TONBRIDGE Reserves : Metro League Pro Cup (Semi-Final)
Angel Ground
0 - 2
21 March 1953
Turner A.
Ling J.
Nelson B.
Cox F.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Chapman
Hawkins
Noakes
Matthews T.
Stanton R.
The team were evenly matched for this semi-final tie, but Tonbridge had former Millwall players Butler and Constantine in their forward-line who were quicker to snap up their chances, and it was this factor that helped them to gain a 2-0 win.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
1 - 2 (Matthews)
28 March 1953
Turner A.
Billington D.
Nelson B.
Cox F.
Stanley T.
Waters R.
Burdon
Woodward J.
Noakes
Matthews T.
Gunning
REPORT:
HORSHAM
Queen Street
1 - 3 (Burdon)
6 April 1953
Evans
Ling J.
Billington
Stanley T.
Nelson A.
Waters R.
Burdon
Woodward
Noakes
Matthews T.
Murrell
REPORT:
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SOUTHWICK
Old Barn Way
3 - 2 (Burdon, Johnson, Malcolm)
11 April 1953
Watkins G.
Ling J.
Billington D.
Belcher
Ruark J.
Noakes
Malcolm
Johnson
Burdon
Matthews T.
Gunning
For our Metropolitan League match at Southwick newcomers to the side were G. Watkins (from the Beckenham district) and T. Ruark (one of our former Juniors now serving in the Marines).
Although Southwick scored first we gained a 3-1 lead through goals by Johnson. Burdon and Malcolm (the best of the trio) and despite another goal from the home side were worthy winners by three goals to two.
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HEADINGTON UNITED Reserves
Manor Road
0 - 0
29 April 1953
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
3 - 9 (Unknown)
2 May 1953
Line-up Unknown
REPORT: