WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
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 West Ham produced the tidier football at Pilot Field, their neat approach work too often fizzled out on the edge of the box, and that lack of a cutting edge left them trailing at the interval. The only goal of the half came when Brian Rhodes was ruled to have handled outside the area; from the resulting free‑kick the home side drove the ball beyond him and into the net.
For long spells after the break the Hammers pressed and probed, moving the ball with far greater purpose than their hosts but still struggling to find the finish their build‑up deserved. At last, five minutes from time, the pressure told. Good work down the left opened up the defence, Tony Scott slipped the final pass into the danger area, and Ron Brett - still settling into claret and blue - swept home his first goal for the club to level the scores.
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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 was very much Mick Beesley’s afternoon, the forward helping himself to a superb hat‑trick in a 4–2 victory after we had gone in 2–1 ahead at the break. Each finish was cleanly struck, but the opener stood out: a classic Vic Watson‑style header, powered home from Tony Scott’s beautifully judged cross‑pass after the left‑winger had carved his way down the flank.
On the opposite wing Derek Woodley was every bit as lively, and it was his blistering pace that brought the first West Ham goal, outstripping the home defence before driving the ball in. With that sort of wing play the margin might easily have been wider still, but a missed penalty kept the scoreline tighter than our football deserved.
Beesley’s treble ensured the Hammers’ superiority told in the end, rounding off a performance full of direct running, sharp crossing and the kind of finishing flourish that decides matches.
HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
0 - 1
29 August 1959
Gregory
Cripps
Lyall
Hurst
McClinton
Busby
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Hugo
Boucherau
Apart from the reassuring figure of Ernie Gregory, this was a notably youthful West Ham side, and while the defence coped comfortably enough with most of the homesters’ advances, it was our own lack of experience further forward that ultimately cost us at least a point. The approach play was tidy, the effort unquestioned, but the final touch too often eluded a forward line still finding its bearings.
There was, however, one unmistakable bright spot: the welcome sight of John Lyall back in competitive action. Moving freely and showing no sign of the leg operation that kept him out through the summer, he slipped back into the rhythm of the game with the assurance of a player restored. His return alone gave the afternoon a lift, and left us confident that he is now fully recovered and ready to push on.
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 faced a First Round tie in the Metropolitan League Professional Cup at The Eyrie, and much of the credit for our progress must go to a disciplined, resilient defence. They kept the homesters scoreless throughout, no small achievement given that we spent long stretches of the first half without the ball. Even so, we reached the interval with a 1–0 lead thanks to Mick Beesley, who finished neatly against the run of play.
After the break our forwards finally came into the game, moving with far greater purpose and stretching the home side in a way we had rarely managed earlier. The increased pressure told when Beesley was brought down inside the area, and John Lyall, calm as you like, stepped up to drive home the penalty and double the advantage.
GUILDFORD CITY
Josephs Road Ground
0 - 2
9 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Maxted
Dear
At just eighteen, Eddie Bovington was the senior figure in an otherwise very young West Ham side, and on experience alone the homesters might reasonably have been expected to prevail. They did win it 2–0, but the scoreline disguises how hard they had to work for it. This youthful Hammers team produced a display of real quality, moving the ball with confidence and showing a maturity beyond their years.
No one summed it up better than Bill Robinson, who watched the match and offered the perfect verdict: “If they always played like that, we’d have no complaints.” It was praise well earned on an afternoon when the result told only half the story.
DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
1 - 5 (Beesley)
12 September 1959
Reader
Cripps
Lyall
Bovington
Bickles
Maxted
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Boyce
Dear
Dunstable proved the sharper side in front of goal, yet the margin flattered them. Our forwards could count themselves distinctly unlucky: they twice had the ball in the net only for both efforts to be ruled out, while two of the Town’s tallies carried more than a hint of offside but were allowed to stand. Only a single goal separated the sides at the interval, but Dunstable pushed on after the break and eventually stretched their lead to a 5–1 scoreline that bore little resemblance to the balance of play.
Mick Beesley claimed our goal, a small reward on an afternoon when the football we produced deserved far more than the final numbers suggested.
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, fast game Chelsea struck twice in the early stages, leaving the Hammers with plenty to do. We clawed one back before the interval and, with renewed purpose after the restart, drew level soon after. For a spell it looked as though the momentum had swung our way, but the Pensioners rallied once more, finishing strongly and securing victory with two further goals.
Our scorers were Mick Beesley and Ron Boyce, both taking their chances well on an afternoon when the contest swung back and forth with real intensity.
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 faced unfamiliar opposition at Kingsmead Stadium, taking on a Canterbury City side who had made an impressive start to the season with nine points from their opening six matches. But our lads quickly shook any notions of home advantage, producing a composed, purposeful display that fully justified a well‑earned victory by three goals to nil.
David Hills, outstanding throughout, put us ahead before the interval with a neatly taken finish that capped his first‑rate performance. After the break we tightened our grip on the game, and the pressure told as Mick Brooks added a second before Derek Woodley sealed the result with another well‑struck effort.
It was a confident, disciplined showing against new opposition — and a result that underlined the promise running through this young West Ham side.
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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 recorded another Metropolitan League success at Grovelands, overcoming Arsenal with a performance that mixed determination with moments of genuine quality. Holding a 1–0 lead at half‑time, we were made to work hard throughout, and the contest remained in the balance until the closing stages. Only when we struck our third goal in the final ten minutes was the result finally settled, sealing a deserved 3–1 victory.
The conditions did little to help either side — the ground was hard and uneven, as has so often been the case of late - yet there were still flashes of crisp, attractive football. Andy Smillie, lively and incisive, claimed two of our goals, while Ron Brett added the other with a well‑taken finish.
It was a solid, disciplined display in testing circumstances, and another encouraging step for this young West Ham side.
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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 simply too much to claw back once the home side struck three times in the opening half‑hour, and although the Hammers eventually settled and produced some tidy midfield football, the Headington defence proved stubborn whenever we reached their penalty area. We did craft one excellent move, Derek Woodley and Ken White combining neatly to set up Ron Boyce, who finished with assurance. But despite that bright moment, the final score of 3–1 against us offered a fair reflection of the afternoon: early damage done, a spirited response, yet not quite enough to turn the tide.
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 stemmed from a mix of defensive lapses, a shortage of real penetration up front, and the frustration of seeing a couple of Fulham’s goals arrive amid strong claims of offside. We trailed 1–0 at the interval and, although we rallied at times, Fulham “A” eventually pulled clear to finish 5–2 ahead - a margin that probably surprised them as much as it disappointed us.
DARTFORD Reserves
Watling Street
4 - 2 (Hills 2, Brooks, Maxted)
10 October 1959
Gregory
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
McClinton
Hurst
Maxted
Boyce
Brooks
Hills
Dear
The Hammers proved good value for a 4–2 victory, even if there were moments when we were guilty of one pass too many. When the moves clicked, though, they clicked perfectly - and it was on those occasions that the goals came. David Hills struck twice with his usual assurance, Bernard Maxted added another, and Mick Brooks completed the tally to round off a performance that mixed neat approach play with just enough cutting edge to see us home.
FULHAM 'A'
Craven Cottage
3 - 2 (Brett 2, Bovington)
26 October 1959
Rhodes
Cripps
Lyall
Bovington
Moore
Hurst
Woodley
Cartwright
Brett
Hills
Dear
We found ourselves one down at half‑time and slipped behind again in the second half at 2–1, but the Hammers refused to fold. A spirited late rally turned the match on its head: first we forced the equaliser, and then, five minutes from time, struck the winner to complete a 3–2 comeback that spoke volumes for the side’s determination.
Ron Brett led the way with two well‑taken goals, while Eddie Bovington
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ARSENAL 'A'
Grovelands
4 - 1 (Brooks 2, Beesley, Boyce)
31 October 1959
Mountford
Peters
Burkett
Bovington
McClinton
Lansdowne
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brooks
Scott
Our third‑string side produced one of their best displays of the season, earning a 4–1 victory after establishing a 3–1 lead by half‑time. It was a performance full of energy, discipline and no little quality, and much of its character came from Bill Lansdowne, who played a true captain’s part. He drove his XI on from first whistle to last, setting the tone with his work‑rate and encouragement throughout the full ninety minutes.
In front of goal we were sharp and decisive. Mick Brooks struck twice, Mick Beesley added another, and Ron Boyce completed the scoring, each finish the product of confident, purposeful football. All told, it was a thoroughly satisfying success - one that reflected both the side’s growing maturity and the spirit Lansdowne demanded from them.
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 held a 1–0 advantage at half‑time and went on to prove worthy 3–1 winners at the end of what was an interesting and often evenly contested game. Our goal came from John Cook, a young centre‑forward from Glendale F.C. making his first trial appearance in claret and blue. He took his chance well, offering a bright note on an afternoon when experience and finishing power ultimately tilted the result the home side’s way.
CANTERBURY CITY
Kingsmead Stadium
1 - 1 (Scott [pen])
7 November 1959
Mountford
Peters
Burkett
Bovington
McClinton
Brooks
Woodley
Boyce
Brett
Scott
Dodgson
Newcomer Ken Dodgson, recently arrived from Derby, made a useful contribution on his debut and played his part in securing a 1–1 draw. The City side held the advantage at half‑time, but we restored parity when Tony Scott confidently converted a penalty after the interval. The second half developed into a real ding‑dong struggle, keenly contested and full of honest effort from both teams, with neither willing to give an inch.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : Pro Cup (Second Round)
Goldstone Ground
2 - 1 (Beesley, Boyce)
14 November 1959
Reader
O'Mahoney
Peters
Brooks
McClinton
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Scott
Brett
We did extremely well to win this one, particularly as the Seasiders - without a Combination fixture of their own - fielded five of the players who had beaten our Reserves 5–1 only the previous Saturday. Even so, a young Hammers XI more than held their own and matched Brighton throughout. Ron Boyce gave us a deserved half‑time lead, and although Brighton levelled with a quarter of an hour remaining, the side showed real character. Mick Beesley struck the winner five minutes from time, securing a thoroughly earned and highly satisfying victory.
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NEWBURY TOWN
Town Ground
2 - 0 (Brett, Dear)
28 November 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Brooks
McClinton
Peters
Brett
Boyce
Beesley
Scott
Dear
Every credit goes to our defence - Peter Reader in particular - for holding a lively Newbury side scoreless, and it was an outstanding display from 16‑year‑old Ron Boyce that gave our attack the platform to secure a 2–0 victory. Boyce’s vision produced the opener: a long, accurate pass released Brian Dear, whose left‑wing centre was headed home by Ron Brett. We might have increased the lead before the interval but missed a penalty, though we still went in one up at half‑time.
The second goal arrived after the break, again with Dear at the heart of it. Beating two men with composure and pace, he slipped the ball calmly past the advancing goalkeeper to seal a win built on defensive discipline and the bright promise of two of our youngest talents.
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LUTON TOWN 'A'
Kenilworth Road
2 - 4 (Dear 2)
5 December 1959
Reader
O'Mahoney
Burkett
Bovington
McClinton
Peters
Woodley
Brooks
Beesley
Scott
Dear
A deflected long shot put the Hatters ahead after ten minutes, and although we rallied we were never quite able to catch them up. The uneven surface made good football difficult, and in those conditions the heavier home side proved the more forceful side, eventually securing a 4–2 victory. Brian Dear scored both our goals - the first a close‑range finish from a pass by Martin Peters, the second a crisp first‑time shot driven into the net after the opposing goalkeeper had made a fine save from Michael Brooks. Despite our efforts, the early setback and the testing ground told in the end.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 'A'
Goldstone Ground
1 - 2 (Brett)
12 December 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
McClinton
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Brett
Brooks
Dear
Although our forwards showed plenty of thrust, they were unfortunate to run into Eric Gill, Albion’s First XI goalkeeper, having a try‑out after injury. He was largely responsible for his side taking the bonus, producing several first‑class saves that kept us at bay.
In an even game the homesters went ahead after eight minutes, but four minutes later Harry Cripps released Derek Woodley, the winger outpacing his man and centring for Ron Brett to score. The match remained finely balanced until ten minutes from time, when a Brighton shot was inadvertently helped into the net by one of our defenders, settling the issue in the Seasiders’ favour.
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GUILDFORD CITY Reserves
Josephs Road Ground
1 - 9 (Boyce)
19 December 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Brooks
McClinton
Peters
Wragg
Boyce
Bleanch
Beesley
Hills
Our “A” Team suffered a heavy 9–1 defeat in the Metropolitan League match against Guildford City Reserves at the Josephs Road Ground. The Surrey club held the upper hand throughout, and injuries to Doug Wragg and Jack Burkett only added to our difficulties. We trailed 0–4 at half‑time and, after the interval, missed a penalty that might at least have offered some foothold. Our solitary reply came from Ron Boyce, who notched a well‑taken counter, but by then the margin of the contest had long been decided.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
The Eyrie
3 - 2 (Hills 2, Boyce)
28 December 1959
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Hurst
Scott
Boyce
Bessley
Hills
Dear
The outlook appeared bleak when the Town raced into a two‑goal lead inside the opening five minutes. But our lads fought back superbly, showing real character to turn the match around and claim a 3–2 victory. David Hills led the revival with a pair of goals, the first arriving in the ninth minute when he converted a centre from Tony Scott, and the second pushed over the line five minutes after the interval to level the scores.
The winner was the finest goal of the match. From Harry Cripps’ long upfield clearance, Ron Boyce rose to meet the ball with a splendid header, sealing a comeback that had seemed unlikely in those early moments.
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
Princes Park
0 - 0
2 January 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Maxted
Brooks
Bessley
Hugo
Dear
Abandoned : Half-Time
We fielded what was effectively a Colts’ XI, their inclusion designed to give them much‑needed match practice ahead of our forthcoming F.A. Youth Cup tie. Unfortunately, the ground conditions were so poor that good football was virtually impossible, and with neither side able to impose themselves the game was abandoned at half‑time with the score still blank.
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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Goldstone Ground
8 - 2 (Beesley 3, Bovington, Boyce, Peters, Scott, [og])
9 January 1960
Reader
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Peters
Wragg
Boyce
Beesley
Brooks
Scott
With ground conditions back to something like normal, our “A” Team were able to play far better football last Saturday, and against young but fairly experienced opposition they ran up a heavy score in a Metropolitan League fixture at Hove Stadium. The Brighton & Hove “A” side held the Hammers scoreless for the first 35 minutes, but in the following 39 they conceded no fewer than eight goals. Two late tallies from the homesters in the final ten minutes made the score 8–2, but the margin of victory was by no means flattering.
Tony Scott and Doug Wragg were a constant menace to the home defence, their centres repeatedly opening up the back line, and from their service Michael Beesley completed his second hat‑trick in four days. The remaining goals were shared out by Scott, Ron Boyce, Eddie Bovington, Martin Peters, and an own goal, one apiece — a tally that reflected both the quality of our approach play and the pressure we sustained throughout.
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HAYWARDS HEATH
Hanbury Park
2 - 2 (Brooks, Peters)
23 January 1960
Reader
Burkett
O'Manoney
Peters
Bickles
Hills
Wragg
Boyce
Maxted
Brooks
Dear
Praise was due to all the players for their fitness and determination in producing such a good game on a difficult pitch. An own goal a minute before the interval put us behind, and five minutes after the restart another defensive slip made it 2–0 to the homesters. At that stage it looked as though the points were slipping from our grasp, but the side responded superbly.
With twelve minutes remaining Martin Peters ran on to a corner‑kick clearance and drove the ball through a crowd of players to halve the deficit. That strike sparked a determined rally, and shortly afterwards Michael Brooks unleashed a hard 20‑yard shot that found the net, leaving us deservedly sharing the four goals.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Town Meadow
2 - 4 (Brett, Griffiths)
30 January 1960
Reader
Cripps
Maxted
Bovington
Lansdowne
Hills
Wragg
Cartwright
Griffiths W.
Brett
Hugo
The condition of the ground was nothing short of disgraceful, literally ankle‑deep in clay, yet we still fashioned enough chances to have been ahead at the interval instead of merely drawing 1–1. As it was, several opportunities went begging, and we had only ourselves to blame for not making more of a long pass from Bill Lansdowne, converted by Ron Brett after fifteen minutes.
The game slowed noticeably after half‑time, the heavy surface taking its toll, and Crawley’s kick‑and‑thrust approach proved effective in the conditions as they eventually ran out 4–2 winners. Our second goal was a well‑worked effort, created by Eddie Bovington and John Cartwright, and finished by W. Griffiths, the Welsh amateur international currently on Tooting & Mitcham’s books. But despite that bright moment, the state of the pitch and Crawley’s physicality ultimately dictated the outcome.
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CHELSEA 'A'
Hendon
0 - 8
6 February 1960
Reader
O'Mahoney
Peters
Maxted
Bickles
Hills
Wragg
Boyce
Brett
Brooks
Dear
This match was played in the morning, but whatever satisfaction Chelsea may have taken from their 8–0 victory was almost certainly erased by the afternoon defeats suffered by both their First XI and their Reserves. For our part, there was no consolation to be drawn from this particular encounter with the Blues. The fact that we had two men injured early on offered no real excuse for such a heavy reverse.
Our teamwork in general fell well short of the required standard, and little more can be added. It was a disappointing performance on a day when nothing seemed to run in our favour.
DARTFORD Reserves
Watling Street
2 - 3 (Boyce, Dear)
13 February 1960
Reader
O'Mahoney
Peters
Brooks
Bickles
Hills
Wragg
Boyce
Bleanch
Brett
Dear
The home club’s programme had praised the high standard of play shown by our young Metropolitan League side, and for the greater part of the game the Hammers fully justified that assessment with a display of hard, intelligent football. Ron Boyce gave us a sixth‑minute lead, and after about an hour Norman Bleanch gathered a loose ball on the left to create the opening from which Brian Dear made it 2–0 in our favour.
But the match slipped away in the closing stages. Three defensive errors in the final eighteen minutes allowed Dartford to score three times — the last coming two minutes from the end — and secure a somewhat fortunate 3–2 victory. It was a harsh outcome on a young side who had controlled long stretches of the contest.
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WINDSOR & ETON
Stag Meadow
3 - 1 (Brett 2, Hills)
20 February 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Burkett
Brooks
Bickles
Peters
Maxted
Boyce
Brett
Hugo
Hills
Once again a largely all‑Colts line‑up performed splendidly to secure a 3–1 victory over the amateur opposition. The defence saw the Hammers through the opening twenty minutes, during which Windsor applied heavy pressure, but once we adjusted to the conditions the goals were always likely to come our way.
Ron Boyce “general led” the attack with real authority, and Ron Brett moved sharply to take his chances in the 28th and 37th minutes - the latter coming straight from the kick‑off, without an opponent touching the ball, after the home side had equalised. In the second half David Hills added the third, finishing confidently after Boyce and Brett had combined neatly to open up the defence.
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
The Oval, Princes Park
2 - 3 (Boyce, Brett)
27 February 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Cunningham
Brooks
Bickles
Hills
Woodley
Boyce
Brett
Healer
Dear
Former Portsmouth player Jack Mansell - now player‑manager at Eastbourne - gave his side a fifth‑minute lead from an unmarked position ten yards out, and a quarter of an hour later the Seasiders made it 2–0 from a penalty awarded for what appeared to be accidental hands. The Hammers had shown themselves to be the better footballing side up to that point, but they failed to turn their midfield superiority into goals.
Eventually, though, they drew level before half‑time. After 32 minutes Ron Brett finished off a neat exchange between himself and Ernie Healer, and three minutes later Ron Boyce drew the goalkeeper out before calmly placing the ball into an empty net. We maintained pressure throughout the second half, but a surprise 25‑yard shot found its mark and gave the opposition a somewhat unexpected victory.
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
The Eyrie
2 - 2 (Maxted, Woodley)
12 March 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Cunningham
Picking
Bickles
Peters
Woodley
Brooks
Maxted
Hugo
Dear
This was the youngest Metropolitan League XI we had fielded all season, yet they proved a real handful for the experienced opposition. Barely minutes after the start Bernard Maxted headed in a Brian Dear centre, and seventeen minutes later another cross from our left‑winger was struck home by Derek Woodley from the edge of the penalty area. At the other end Dave Bickles was in splendid form, while Frank Caskey made several good saves to preserve the lead.
Just on half‑time the homesters pulled one back while our rearguard hesitated, waiting for an offside decision. Even so, the young Hammers held firm until two minutes from time, when a hard low shot beat Caskey to give the Town a face‑saving point. It was a performance that underlined both the promise and the resilience of this youthful side.
DUNSTABLE TOWN
Kingsway
0 - 2
19 March 1960
Gregory
O'Mahoney
Cripps
Picking
Bickles
Cunningham
Woodley
Brooks
Bleanch
Hugo
Dear
A very disappointing and uninteresting game, played before only a handful of spectators, ended in a 0–2 defeat for the Hammers. The forward‑line never once threatened the home rearguard, and an overworked defence found the opposition camped in our half for roughly eighty per cent of the match. In the end two defensive errors proved decisive, costing us the points on a day when we offered little to suggest a different outcome.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Town Meadow
0 - 3
26 March 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Cunningham
Picking
Bickles
Hall
Maxted
Boyce
Bleach
Brooks
Hugo
Our very young side showed their lack of experience against opponents desperate for points, and we went down 0–3. After twenty minutes a high shot enabled Crawley to register their first goal, and they added two more - one from a penalty and another following a defensive mistake. It was a harsh lesson for a youthful team still finding its feet, but one that will undoubtedly serve them in the long run.
LUTON TOWN : Pro Cup (Semi-Final)
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Smillie, Woodley)
28 March 1960
Gregory
Cripps
Burkett
Bovington
Peters
Hills
Woodley
Boyce
Bleanch
Smillie
Dear
The star of the game was veteran goalkeeper Ernie Gregory, who produced several top‑rate saves to deny a dangerous forward‑line led by the experienced Mike Tracey. Yet the whole side deserved credit for a 2–1 victory against a heavier‑built team, and there was no doubt that the Hammers held the edge in a hard‑fought contest which maintained a high standard of play despite the rainy, unpleasant conditions.
In the ninth minute Johnny Cartwright sent Derek Woodley away, and the right‑winger cut inside before driving the ball into the roof of the net on the run. A defensive lapse allowed the Hatters to equalise a minute before the interval, but seven minutes after the restart Woodley made another solo dash, finishing with a shot that the opposing goalkeeper could only parry. Andy Smillie followed up sharply to net the rebound and secure the points.
DIDCOT TOWN
Station Road Ground
3 - 2 (Hills 2, Obeney)
6 April 1960
Dwyer
O'Mahoney
Lyall
Bovington
Bickles
Burkett
Woodley
Obeney
Bleanch
Hills
Hugo
After a goalless first half we surged into a commanding position, going three goals up through a brace from David Hills and another from Harry Obeney. The home side, however, fought back well to reduce the arrears, and we had to stay fully alert in the closing stages to secure a 3–2 victory.
There was encouragement in the return of John Lyall, who came through strongly after his recent absence through injury, while Derek Woodley — though not among the scorers — remained one of our most effective attackers throughout, stretching the defence and contributing significantly to our forward momentum.
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TONBRIDGE Reserves
Angel Ground
0 - 0
9 April 1960
Caskey
Cripps
Burkett
Picking
Bickles
Hall
Patten
Brooks
Dear
Hills
Hugo
Being David Hills’ 20th birthday, he was made captain for the day; fittingly, he was also the oldest member of a very young side that included Les Patten, making his first appearance in a senior team. The young Hammers were a great credit to the club, and against hard‑tackling, experienced opposition they did extremely well to force a goalless draw on a day when a gusty wind made ball‑playing more difficult than usual.
At the back Frank Caskey brought off several excellent saves, while the defensive trio of Harry Cripps, Jack Burkett, and Dave Bickles stood firm throughout, forming a strong and composed barrier in front of him. It was a performance marked by resilience, discipline, and no little promise from a side still learning its craft.
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HASTINGS UNITED Reserves
Pilot Field
0 - 4
11 April 1960
Dickie
O'Mahoney
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Hills
Woodley
Brooks
Bleanch
Hugo
Dear
The Seasiders fielded seven regular First Team men and were good value for their 4–0 victory, although the final two goals did not arrive until the last minute. We were only one down at half‑time, but after the interval the greater experience of the home side told, and from that point the issue was never really in doubt.
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EASTBOURNE UNITED
The Oval, Princes Park
1 - 4 (Blench)
13 April 1960
Dickie
O'Mahoney
Burkett
Picking
Bickles
Hall
Woodley
Brooks
Bleanch
Hills
Dear
In windy conditions our young side were beaten largely through the greater experience of the opposition, for whom former Portsmouth player Jack Mansell again distinguished himself. We were one down at half‑time, and the Seasiders added a further goal before Norman Bleanch pulled one back for us. That, however, proved to be our finale, and the home side went on to complete a 4–1 victory.
NEWBURY TOWN
Town Ground
1 - 3 (Woodley)
15 April 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Cripps
Picking
Thompson M.
Burkett
Woodley
Brooks
Bleanch
Hills
Dear
A goal by Derek Woodley was our only reply to Newbury’s three in a match that never truly caught fire, played on a pitch that made good football difficult. The heavy surface stifled any real fluency, and although Woodley’s strike offered a brief lift, it was not enough to alter the course of a 3–1 defeat.
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 0–4 half‑time deficit, the Hammers were somewhat unfortunate to find themselves so far adrift. The decisive factor was the visitors’ greater ability to take their chances, yet our young side - most of them still under eighteen - produced a far better showing after the interval. They tightened up, competed more confidently, and refused to let the scoreline worsen until ten minutes from time, when the visitors added a final goal to complete a 5–0 victory.
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DIDCOT TOWN
Station Road Ground
6 - 3 (Dear 3, Blench, Hugo, Obeney)
20 April 1960
Dickie
Cripps
Burkett
Hurst
Bickles
Hall
Woodley
Obeney
Bleanch
Hugo
Dear
After leading 2–0 at half‑time, we extended our advantage to 5–1 before Didcot rallied to reduce the arrears to 5–3. Even so, the Hammers finished strongly and finally ran out 6–3 winners.
Brian Dear notched an impressive hat‑trick, while the other goals came from Norman Bleanch, Roger Hugo, and Harry Obeney. It was an open, free‑scoring contest, and although the home side fought back gamely, our finishing power ultimately proved decisive.
CHELSEA 'A' : Pro Cup (Final 1st-Leg)
Stamford Bridge
1 - 4 (Blench)
23 April 1960
Caskey
O'Mahoney
Cripps
Picking
Burkett
Hall
Bleanch
Brooks
Dear
Cunningham
Hugo
The inexperience of the Hammers - who included seven amateurs - rather than any pronounced superiority on the part of the Chelsea professionals, largely accounted for the 1–4 margin we must now take into the second leg at Upton Park on 2nd May. Poor covering allowed Ray to complete a hat‑trick with goals in the 10th, 72nd and 75th minutes, while the Blues added their fourth ten minutes from time.
Our reply came in the 70th minute when Norman Bleanch found the net, but it proved only a brief interruption to Chelsea’s control of the scoreline.
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HEADINGTON UNITED Reserves
Manor Road
4 - 1 (Brett 2, Dick 2)
28 April 1960
Gregory
Cripps
Hills
Bovington
Lansdowne
Obeney
Scott
Brett
Bleanch
Dick
Hugo
REPORT:
CHELSEA 'A' : Pro Cup (Final 2nd-Leg)
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Brett 2, Cartwright, Woodley)
2 May 1960
Gregory
Kirkup
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Obeney
Woodley
Cartwright
Brett
Hills
Dear
REPORT:
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TONBRIDGE Reserves
Angel Ground
4 - 3 (Obeney 2, Blench, Scott)
4 May 1960
Reader
Kirkup
Cripps
Bovington
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Bleanch
Brett
Obeney
Scott
REPORT:
