WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decades
A Pictorial History
1955-56 Metropolitan League
The Hammers played only two home matches at Clapton's SPOTTED DOG GROUND
DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
2 - 3 (Chapman, Winters)
24 August 1955
Rhodes
Cooper
Hallas
Crockett D.
Walker
Round D.
Chapman
Pyke
Fenn G.
Winters
Framklyn
Dunstable struck after only 15 minutes to take the lead, but the Hammers responded when Winters converted a pass from Chapman to level the scores. The home side regained the advantage before the break and went further ahead midway through the second half to open up a 3-1 lead. West Ham then took control, pressing hard and creating a host of chances, but found the net only once more. Five minutes from time, Chapman headed home Franklyn's corner to reduce the deficit, yet the rally came too late as the final whistle arrived with the Hammers narrowly beaten 3-2 in an entertaining contest that provided the spectators with plenty of good football.
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WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
1 - 2 (Jackson)
27 August 1955
Hough S.
Swann R.
Ginnaw K.
Crockett D.
Hayes A.
Hayward T.
Jackson E.
Baker N.
Fenn G.
Winters
McDonald T.
The Hammers looked set for a productive afternoon when Jackson gave them the lead after ten minutes, but two home goals before the interval swung the balance of the game. Despite their efforts, West Ham could not find a way back, the hosts holding on for a 2-1 victory on a difficult and uneven playing surface.
CHELSEA 'A'
R.A. Stadium, Woolwich
1 - 4 (Crawley)
3 September 1955
Hough S.
Swann R.
Hayward T.
Pitt R.
Hayes A.
Round D.
Fenn G.
Baker N.
Crawley D.
Winters
Barrick A.
Even after being reduced to ten men, the league leaders comfortably contained West Ham's lively attack and always looked the more accomplished side. Preserving both their unbeaten record and their place at the summit, the Pensioners ran out 4-1 winners against a youthful and inexperienced Hammers team that struggled against largely professional opposition. Crawley, a recent arrival from the Watford area, scored West Ham's solitary goal. The contrast in experience was stark: Chelsea fielded ten professionals and one amateur, while the Hammers lined up with just one professional alongside ten amateurs.
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HEADINGTON UNITED
Manor Ground
1 - 4 (Robinson [pen])
10 September 1955
Rhodes
Swann R.
Hayward T.
Pitt R.
Hayes A.
Crockett D.
McDonald T.
Winters
Robinson
Gaughan J.
Barrick A.
Even Headington's officials admitted the final score flattered their side, with defensive lapses ultimately denying West Ham at least a share of the points. The Hammers were the better team during the first half, creating several promising moves but failing to apply the finishing touch. Instead of turning around with a deserved lead, they found themselves a goal behind at the interval. Bill Robinson's penalty brought West Ham level after the break and gave the visitors real hope of taking something from the game. However, a series of costly defensive errors proved decisive, allowing Headington to strike three times in the final twenty minutes and put an entirely different complexion on the result.
BEDFORD TOWN
The Eyrie
1 - 1 (Chapman)
15 September 1955
Rhodes
Cooper
Hallas
Johnstone
Nelson
Taylor J.
Wragg
Moore
Chapman
Matthews
Franklyn
The Hammers earned their first Metropolitan League point of the season with a deserved draw against an experienced Town side in a hard-fought contest played in a strong wind. West Ham did well to match their more seasoned opponents and might well have claimed victory but for an outstanding display by the home goalkeeper. Bedford gave Town the lead from the penalty spot after the interval, yet the Hammers responded when Chapman headed home Wragg's corner. Despite creating further opportunities, they were unable to find a second breakthrough against a goalkeeper in first-rate form.
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LUTON TOWN
Hillborough Road Ground
1 - 1 (Barrick)
21 September 1955
Rhodes
Cooper
Hallas
Johnstone
Nelson
Lansdowne W.
Franklyn
Winters
Lyall J.
Barrick A.
McDonald T.
A close and interesting struggle ended all square, the teams sharing the points in a 1-1 draw.
The Hatters gained the advantage in a keenly contested match, but the Hammers continued to press and were rewarded when Barrick struck a deserved equaliser to secure a share of the spoils.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : League Cup (Second Round)
Goldstone Ground
0 - 0
24 September 1955
Hough S.
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Crockett
Taylor J.
Round D.
McDonald
Aberdeen A.
Gaughan J.
Winters
Barrick A.
Hertfordshire player Aberdeen made his debut for the Hammers in a cup tie that should never have required a replay. Although the tie extended into extra time, West Ham could not find the goal their play deserved. Dominating possession and territory for much of the contest, they enjoyed the lion's share of the attacking play, only to be undermined by a lack of cutting edge in front of goal. The resulting stalemate means a replay against the Seasiders, a prospect that appeared wholly unnecessary given the Hammers' control of proceedings.
DARTFORD Reserves
Watling Street
1 - 1 (Pitt)
1 October 1955
Hough S.
Barraclough C.
Hayward T.
Taylor J.
Hayes A.
Round D.
Stone E.
Pitt R.
Winters
Crockett D.
Barrick A.
West Ham produced arguably their finest performance of the season against a strong Dartford side and deservedly matched their highly regarded opponents. The Hammers held the upper hand in all departments, with Ray Pitt and Dave Crockett proving a constant threat from the inside-forward positions. Pitt gave West Ham the lead with a tremendous 20-yard drive, while Crockett was unfortunate to see a fine header crash back off the upright.
Defensively, Hough, Christie and Hayward faced a stern examination but more than held their own. Edward Stone, making his debut, turned in an encouraging display on the right wing, while Alan Barrick repeatedly troubled the Dartford defence from the opposite flank. Wing-halves Round and Taylor combined defensive diligence with intelligent distribution, supplying a steady stream of opportunities to the forwards while providing valuable cover at the back. At centre-half, Arthur Hayes kept the dangerous Sutherland under tight control for most of the afternoon, but Dartford finally snatched an equaliser five minutes from time to deny the Hammers a deserved victory.
BEDFORD TOWN : Metro Pro Cup (First Round)
The Eyrie
5 - 3 ( Robinson 3, Crockett, Winters)
8 October 1955
Hough S.
Christie
Hayward T.
Taylor J.
Hayes A.
Round D.
Robinson
Pitt R.
Winters
Crockett D.
McDonald
West Ham's "B" Team produced an excellent display to defeat Bedford Town Reserves 5-3 in their Metropolitan League Professional Cup First Round replay and secure a place in the next stage. The Hammers made a flying start, with Winters capitalising on a defensive mix-up to open the scoring in the first minute before calmly placing his shot beyond the goalkeeper. Crockett doubled the advantage with a right-foot drive before the match was ten minutes old, and by the 20-minute mark Bill Robinson had extended the lead to 3-0.
Bedford refused to surrender and mounted a dramatic recovery, drawing level by half-time after finding themselves three goals adrift. The tie remained finely balanced until midway through the second half when Robinson restored West Ham's lead with a well-struck free-kick. He then completed an impressive hat-trick with a headed goal, sealing a 5-3 victory and sending the Hammers comfortably through to the next round.
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HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
1 - 2 (Robinson)
15 October 1955
Hough S.
Christie R.
Hayward T.
Taylor J.
Robinson
Round D.
Stone E.
Pitt R.
Winters
Crockett D.
Barrick A.
REPORT:
GUILDFORD CITY Reserves
Joseph's Road
3 - 5 (Robinson 2, Smith)
22 October 1955
Hough S.
Christie R.
Hayward T.
Crockett D.
Pyke
Round D.
Stone E.
Smith R.
Robinson
Pitt R.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
TONBRIDGE Reserves
Angel Ground
0 - 5
5 November 1955
Hough S.
Taylor J.
Pitt R.
Round D.
Robinson
Byers R.
Stone E.
Costello
Hughes
Crockett D.
Lewis
REPORT:
LUTON TOWN
Sotted Dog Ground
3 - 1 (Harvey, Johnstone, Pyke)
7 November 1955
NO PROGRAMME ISSUED
Rhodes, Grange, Cooper, Pyke, Nelson, Johnstone, Fenn G., Harvey, Lawrence, Smith J., Crockett D.
REPORT:
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DARTFORD Reserves
Watling Street
1 - 1 (Pitt)
12 November 1955
Maguire G.
Taylor J.
Marshall K.
Byers R.
Mower L.
Round D.
Stone E.
Smith J.
Jackson T.
Pitt R.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
HEADINGTON UNITED
Manor Road Ground
0 - 7
19 November 1955
Hough S.
Taylor J.
Barraclough T.
Byers R.
Mower L.
Round D.
McDonald T.
Smith J.
Jackson T.
Pitt R.
Barrick A.
REPORT:
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CHELSEA 'A'
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 1 (Stroud)
26 November 1955
Rhodes
Taylor J.
Chapman
Byers R.
Nelson
Lansdowne W.
Franklyn
Pitt R.
Stroud
Smith R.
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : League Cup (2nd Rd Replay)
Goldstone Ground
1 - 1 (Taylor)
3 December 1955
Hough S.
Taylor J.
Hayward T.
Byers R.
Roberts
Round D.
Robinson
Smith J.
Mower
Pitt R.
Barrick A.
REPORT:
HASTINGS UNITED Reserves : Metro Pro Cup (2nd Rd)
Pilot Field
1 - 4 (Pitt)
10 December 1955
Hough S.
Taylor J.
Hayward T.
Dujardin
Mower L.
Round D.
Harrison
Pitt R.
Jackson
Lewis
Ridgewell
REPORT:
BEDFORD TOWN
The Eyrie
2 - 5 (Lundstrum)
17 December 1955
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET
Stonebridge Road
3 - 3 (Crawley 2, Lundstrum)
27 December 1955
Hough S.
Taylor J.
Hayward T.
Byers R.
Mower L.
Round D.
Walker
Pyke
Crawley
Pitt R.
Lundstrum C.
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : League Cup (2nd Rd 2nd Replay)
Goldstone Ground
1 - 0 ([og])
7 January 1956
Rhodes
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Pyke
Nelson
Byers R.
Franklyn
Lyall
Fenn G.
BlackburnL
undstrum C.
REPORT:
HEADINGTON UNITED : League Cup (Third Round)
Manor Road Ground
0 - 3
14 January 1956
Rhodes
Pyke
Hayward T.
Byers R.
Nelson
Lansdowne W.
Wragg
Pitt R.
Fenn G.
Jackson T.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET
Stonebridge Road
2 - 3 (Lundstrum 2)
21 January 1956
Hough S.
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Pyke
Nelson
Byers R.
Walker
Lundstrum C.
Stroud
Crockett D.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
TONBRIDGE Reserves
Angel Ground
1 - 1 (Crockett)
25 February 1956
Hough S.
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Byers R.
Mower L.
Schutzen
Franklyn
Jackson E.
Lundstrum
Crockett D.
Lyall (Jas)
REPORT:
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NEWBURY TOWN
Town Football Ground
0 - 3
3 March 1956
Hough S.
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Byers R.
Mower L.
Schutzen
Franklyn
Jackson E.
Lundstrum
Crockett D.
Lyall (Jas)
REPORT:
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DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
0 - 3
10 March 1956
Hough S.
Hayward
Marshall
Byers R.
Mower L.
Taylor J.
Harrison
Pitt R.
Lundstrum
Crockett D.
Robinson
REPORT:
HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
9 - 1 (Fenn 3 [2 pens], Stroud 3, Smith J. 2, McDonald)
17 March 1956
Rhodes
Pitt R.
Hayward T.
Pyke
Mower L.
Marshall K.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Stroud
Schroer H.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
2 - 2 (Pyke, Schroer)
24 March 1956
Rhodes
Pitt R.
Kinsell
Pyke
Mower L.
Hayward T.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Stroud
Schroer H.
Franklyn
REPORT:
HORSHAM
Queen Street
0 - 3
2 April 1956
Chiswick
Pitt R.
Kinsell
Pyke
Mower L.
Hayward T.
Fenn G.
Smith J.
Robinson
Schroer H.
Franklyn
REPORT:
GUILDFORD CITY Reserves
Joseph's Road
3 - 1 (Lundstrum 2, Smith)
7 April 1956
Rhodes
Chapman
Hayward T.
Pyke
Nelson
Byers R.
Fenn G.
Bennett
Lundstrum C.
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
0 - 1
14 April 1956
Rhodes
Chapman
Hayward T.
Pyke
Nelson
Byers R.
Fenn G.
Walker A.
Lundstrum C.
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
NEWBURY TOWN
Town Football Ground
1 - 2 (McDonald)
18 April 1956
Taylor G.
Wright
Kinsell
Pyke
Walker
Lansdowne W.
Wragg
Bennett
Fenn G.
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
WOKINGHAM TOWN
Town Ground
3 - 2 (Walker 2, Smith)
21 April 1956
Chiswick
Kinsell
Hayward T.
Pyke
Brown
Fenton A.
Fenn G.
Robinson
Walker
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
HASTINGS UNITED
Pilot Field
1 - 1 (Smith)
25 April 1956
Chiswick
Kinsell
Hayward T.
Pyke
Brown
Fenton A.
Fenn G.
Robinson
Walker
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
2 - 1 (Stroud 2)
28 April 1956
Chiswick
Kinsell
Hayward T.
Pyke
Walker
Fenton A.
Fenn G.
Robinson
Stroud
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
HORSHAM
Queen Street
5 - 0 (Sexton 2, Stroud 2, Matthews)
30 April 1956
Gregory
Kinsell
Hayward T.
Pyke
Brown
Parker
Sexton
Matthews
Stroud
Smith J.
McDonald T.
REPORT:
WOKINGHAM TOWN
Town Ground
3 - 1 (Bennett [pen], Lyall, Stroud)
2 May 1956
Maguire G.
Pyke
Hayward T.
Bennett
Robinson
Fenton A.
McDonald
Smith
Stroud
Walker
Lyall (Jas)
REPORT:
HASTINGS UNITED
Pilot Field
1 - 4 (Stroud)
5 May 1956
Line-up Unknown
REPORT:
