WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1959-60 Metropolitan League
Manager : Harry Butler
HASTINGS UNITED RESERVES
Pilot Field
1 - 1 (Brett)
22 August 1959
Rhodes
Cripps
Burkett
Obeney
Hurst
Bovington
Woodley
Cartwright
Brett
Smillie
Scott
Although the Hammers showed the better soccer, lack of shooting ability caused them to be in arrears at half-time, the homesters netting from a free-kick after Brian Rhodes had been adjudged to have handled outside the penalty-area. However, we levelled the scores five minutes from time when Ron Brett scored his first goal in our colours, Tony Scott making the final pass after good work on the left wing.
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WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
4 - 2 (Beesley 3, Woodley)
26 August 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Obeney
Lansdowne
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Hills
Scott
This match was a personal triumph for Mick Beesley who netted a "hat-trick" in a 4-2 win (after we had led by 2-1 at half-time).
All three were well-taken efforts, especially the first which was with a typical " Vic Watson type " header from a beautiful cross-pass by Tony Scott after the left-winger had made a fine run. On the other wing Derek Woodley also shone, and he netted the first Hammers' score when sheer speed took him past the home defence. Again the margin might have been greater, for we missed a penalty-kick.
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HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
0 - 1
29 August 1959
Gregory
Cripps
Lyall
Hurst
McClinton
Busby
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Hugo
Boucherau
Apart from Ernie Gregory this was a very young side, and although the defence mainly held the homesters' attack without difficulty it was a lack of experience in our own vanguard that kept us from gaining at least one point. However we were very pleased to see Johnny Lyall in action again, and feel sure that he has now fully recovered from the leg operation he underwent during the summer.
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BEDFORD TOWN : Pro Cup (First Round)
The Eyrie
2 - 0 (Beesley, Lyall [pen])
5 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Lyall
Bovington
McClinton
Hurst
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Maxted
Dear
Our "A" Team had a First Round tie in the Metropolitan League Professional Cup at The Eyrie.
Much credit goes to our defence for keeping the home side scoreless, for although we led by 1-0 at the interval we did not have anywhere near as much of the play as after the resumption when our forwards were more in the game. Mick Beesley netted our first-half goal and when the same player was fouled in the second half John Lyall made no mistake from the penalty-spot.
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GUILDFORD CITY
Josephs Road Ground
0 - 2
9 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Maxted
Dear
At the age of 18 Eddie Bovington was the senior member of the side and on the score of experience the home side could be expected to win. They did so by 2-0, but it was no easy win. This youthful Hammers' team put on a very classy display, and in the words of Bill Robinson who watched the game: " If they always played like that, we'd have no complaints."
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DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
1 - 5 (Beesley)
12 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Lyall
Bovington
Bickles
Maxted
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Boyce
Dear
Dunstable were the better side in front of goal, but our own forwards did not have a great deal of fortune ; they twice had the ball in the net but had goals disallowed, whilst two of the Town's tallies had a semblance of offside about them but still counted. Although only one goal up at half-time Dunstable went further ahead and ended with a 5-1 margin that was not a true reflection of the play. Mick Beesley scored our goal.
CHELSEA 'A'
Spotted Dog Ground
2 - 4 (Beesley, Boyce)
14 September 1959
Reader, Cripps, Burkett, Bovington, Bickles, Hurst, Woodley, Boyce, Beesley, Obeney, Dear
In a hard game Chelsea went two up early in the game, but the Hammers reduced the arrears prior to the interval and then drew level after the resumption. It was then again the Pensioners' turn to shine, and they made certain of victory with two further goals. Our scorers were Mick Beesley and Ron Boyce.
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CANTERBURY CITY
Kingsmead Stadium
3 - 0 (Brooks, Hills, Woodley)
26 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Hills
Dear
The "A" Team met new opposition, visiting Kingsmead Stadium to play Canterbury City. The former Kent League club had gained nine points from their opening six games, but our lads shook them with a well-deserved 3-0 margin. A goal by David Hills (giving a first-rate show) put us in front at the interval, and Mick. Brooks and Derek Woodley each added another in the second half.
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ARSENAL 'A'
Grovelands
3 - 1 (Smillie 2, Brett)
30 September 1959
Rhodes
Kirkup
Lyall
Obeney
Moore
Hurst
Wragg
Cartwright
Brett
Smillie
Scott
We scored another Metropolitan League success at Grovelands against Arsenal.
We had a 1-0 half-time lead and ran out 3-1 winners in a game which was not decided until we netted our third goal in the last ten minutes. As is common at the moment the ground was hard and somewhat bumpy, but there were some touches of good football. Andy Smillie (2) and Ron Brett scored our goals.
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HEADINGTON UNITED : League Cup (First Round)
Manor Road
1 - 3 (Boyce)
3 October 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
McClinton
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Boyce
Maxted
There was too much to pull back in this game when the homesters scored thrice in the first half-hour, and although the Hammers settled down and put in some good midfield play the Headington defence proved too strong in their own penalty-area. Derek Woodley and Ken White combined well for Ron Boyce to finish off a good move on one occasion, but the final score of 3-1 against us was a fair review of the play.
FULHAM 'A'
Spotted Dog Ground
2 - 5 (Lansdowne, Smillie)
5 October 1959
Reader, Cripps, Lyall, Bovington, Bickles, Lansdowne, Wragg, Cartwright, Brett, Smillie, Scott
Our defeat in this fixture came about through a combination of defensive errors, lack of thrust and a couple of "offside" goals. We were 1-0 down at the interval, and Fulham "A" ended with a 5-2 margin in their favour which perhaps surprised them as much as it disappointed us.
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DARTFORD Reserves
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FULHAM 'A'
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ARSENAL 'A'
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LUTON TOWN 'A'
Spotted Dog Ground
1 - 3 (Cook)
2 November 1959
Reader, Cripps, Burkett, Bovington, Hurst, White K., Woodley, Brooks, Cook, Boyce, Scott
Luton were one up at half-time and were worthy 3-1 winners at the end of an interesting game. Our scorer was John Cook, a young centre-forward from Glendale F.C. having his first trial for the Hammers.
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CANTERBURY CITY
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : Pro Cup (Second Round)
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NEWBURY TOWN
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LUTON TOWN 'A'
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
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GUILDFORD CITY Reserves
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
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Abandoned : Half-Time
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
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HAYWARDS HEATH
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CRAWLEY TOWN
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CHELSEA 'A'
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DARTFORD Reserves
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WINDSOR & ETON
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
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DUNSTABLE TOWN
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CRAWLEY TOWN
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LUTON TOWN : Pro Cup (Semi-Final)
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DIDCOT TOWN
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TONBRIDGE Reserves
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HASTINGS UNITED Reserves
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
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NEWBURY TOWN
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HEADINGTON UNITED
Spotted Dog Ground
0 - 5
18 April 1960
Caskey, O'Mahoney, Cunningham, Burkett, Bickles, Hall, Patten, Gray, Harris, Hugo, Roach
Although three defensive errors contributed to a half-time deficit at 0-4, the Hammers were somewhat unfortunate to be that much in arrears. Greater ability to accept chances was most decisive, but our young side (most of them still under-18) made a better showing in the second haif, and it was not until ten minutes from time that the visitors made the final score 5-0 in their favour.
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DIDCOT TOWN
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CHELSEA 'A' : Pro Cup (Final 1st-Leg)
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HEADINGTON UNITED Reserves
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CHELSEA 'A' : Pro Cup (Final 2nd-Leg)
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TONBRIDGE Reserves
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