WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
1961-62 Football Combination (Saturday Section)
Manager: Ernie Gregory
In 1961–62 the Football Combination was re-organised into a Saturday Section for those teams currently in Division One and a Midweek Section for Division Two sides, with a play-off for the title.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
2 - 4 (Crawford, Hurst)
19 August 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
We were holding the Spurs comfortably for the first quarter-of-an-hour, but then lost the services of John Lyall for the rest of the game when he twisted his knee. Almost immediately Johnny Smith scored the Spurs' first goal, and they then added another rather against the run of the play, for Mick Beesley and Ron Brett had both hit the woodwork in the meantime. A well-taken goal by Ian Crawford in his first game for the Hammers reduced our arrears, but Spurs netted again soon after the interval to make it 3-1. Geoff Hurst got our second direct from a free-kick to keep us well in the running, and we had the home side really worried until they netted a rebound for a final 4-2 score.
One of our stars was Brian Rhodes, who made a number of fine saves; but it is perhaps unfair to mention individuals in a display which brought praise for everyone in Ernie Gregory's report of the game.
CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
5 - 2 (Crawford 2, Beesley, Brett, Woodley)
26 August 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park
2 - 2 (Boyce, Woodley)
2 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
REPORT:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Beesley, Brett)
9 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
Our Reserves collected another couple of Football Combination points against Northampton Town Reserves at Upton Park but although they won by 2-0 our XI did not put on such a good show as on the previous Saturday when they drew 2-2 at Selhurst Park.
There appeared to be too much of a gap between the defenders and forwards for most of the time, but on the occasions when this was remedied we looked more dangerous. Both our goals came in the second half; the first, seven minutes after the interval, was netted by Ron Brett; the second, eight minutes from time was well taken by Mick Beesley, who headed home a good cross from Brian Dear. In defence Martin Peters caught the eye together with Brian Rhodes who made a couple of good saves; among the forwards Ron Boyce was most prominent.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
3 - 1 (Beesley 2, Dear)
16 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
The Forest got a goal in the third minute, but after ten minutes the Hammers settled down and from then on dictated the terms. In the forward-line Brian Dear' caught the eye with clever play ; he got our second goal with a 25-yard "screamer" after running on to a square ball from Ron Brett, and in the second half worked his way across the field to put through the pass from which Mick Beesley got our third. This was Mick's second goal of the game, as he netted with a Lawton-like header for our equaliser after Ron Brett and Dear had done the spade work.
BRISTOL ROVERS
Upton Park
2 - 3 (Brett, Crawford)
23 September 1961
Dickie
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
Bristol Rovers Reserves came to the Boleyn Ground with a 100 per cent record — and they retained it thanks to a 3-2 victory gained partly through greater experience and physical advantage against a Hammers' team which included several youngsters.
Ron Brett got the first goal six minutes after the start and we should have had another soon afterwards. However a penalty for the Rovers in the tenth minute seemed to take the heart out of our side and they got on top to lead fay 3-1 at the interval. Ian Crawford reduced the arrears 18 minutes after half-time, but thrown away chances still left us behind at the final whistle.
FULHAM : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Craven Cottage
3 - 2 (Brett 2, Crawford)
2 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Malcolm
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
We visited Craven Cottage last Monday to meet Fulham in the First Round of the London Challenge Cup, but as floodlights have not yet been installed at the West London ground were forced to play in the afternoon before a very sparse attendance.
The side we fielded was largely of Reserve Team strength, this being their only game over the week-end owing to there being no Combination fixture on the Saturday. The actual starting line-up comprised: Rhodes, Bovington, Burkett, Malcolm, Lansdowne, Peters, Woodley, Boyce. Beesley, Brett, Crawford.
We got right on top from the start and led by 2-0 after less than a quarter-of-an-hour's play. It seemed likely that we would keep adding to the lead, but Fulham took the chance to reduce their arrears when Jack Burkett was lying injured. Burkett was almost a passenger for the rest of the time as he could only hobble along, and we reshuffled so that Martin Peters took over in the No. 3 position and Ron Boyce dropped into the rearguard.
However, with about 20 minutes to go the Hammers went further ahead, and although the Cottagers got a late goal we were worthy winners by 3-2, Ron Brett (2) and Ian Crawford being our scorers.
IPSWICH TOWN
Upton Park
6 - 3 (Beesley 2, Britt 2, Brett, Woodley)
7 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Malcolm
Woodley
Boyce
Britt
Beesley
Brett
The stars of this 6-3 victory were Eddie Bovington and Martin Britt, Bovington was wearing the No. 2 shirt, but his upfield forays constantly had the visiting defence in a tangle and he had a hand in three of our goals as well as contributing to a fourth that was disallowed. Martin scored two goals on the occasion of his Combination debut, and this 15-year-old apprentice pro gave most encouraging hopes for the future against an experienced rearguard. We took the lead a quarter-of-an-hour after the start when Bovington's centre was headed back by Ron Brett for Mick Beesley to score, and five minutes later the same trio made the next tally - Beesley again being the scorer. A through ball from Andy Malcolm was converted by Derek Woodley to put us three up in 25 minutes, but Ipswich reduced the arrears within seven minutes. We went in at the interval 4-1 in the lead, Britt having beaten the goalkeeper and centre-half to head home another cross by Bovington five minutes beforehand. After half-time Brian Rhodes made an exceptionally good save, but with the Hammers going through a somewhat bad spell at this time he was unable to prevent a second Blues' goal five minutes after the resumption. However we came back into the game and in the 70th minute Ron Boyce started the move that led up to Brett heading a back-pass for Britt to notch his second. Five minutes from the end the visitors made it 5-3, but within a couple of minutes Woodley centred for Brett to round off a good afternoon with a goal.
LEICESTER CITY
Filbert Street
3 - 0 (Beesley 2, Dear)
14 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Dear
Brett
Beesley
Hugo
Scott
After our 3-0 Football Combination victory at Filbert Street a Leicester City official expressed the opinion that our Reserve Team was the best seen there this season, and it is true to say that there wasn't a weak link, in our XI.
Brian Rhodes made a couple of brilliant saves early on before we had scored (and he afterwards stopped a penalty-kick when we were three ahead); it was also a long ball from our 'keeper (headed on by Hugo) which provided the opening for Mick Beesley to score our first goal ten minutes before half-time. A similarly-schemed move led to our third goal, Eddie Bovington's long throw also being headed forward for Beesley to hit the ball on the volley inside the far post in the 65th minute. Five minutes earlier a through pass from Tony Scott had been converted by Brian Dear
CHELSEA : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Woodley)
16 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Woodley
Almost the same team which had beaten Leicester City Reserves represented us in the Second Round of the London Challenge Cup at Upton Park on the following Monday, although Ron Boyce came in at inside-forward and Derek Wopdley replaced Tony Scott (who was not fit) ; but after a successful opening twenty minutes at the end of which Woodley scored from Ron Brett's centre they faded badly and went under by 2-1.
The Pensioners changed their original XI in three places to include Terry Venables, Peter Brabrook and Michael Block. Brabrook proved to be a big menace to our defence, and during the closing stages combined with Reg Matthews, John Sillett and Venables to play out time. The visitors could not be blamed for taking this action, as they had been reduced to ten men after 28 minutes' play when ex-Hammers' Colt Colin Shaw collided with Brian Rhodes and was carried off with a bruised collar-bone.
Despite having a one-man deficit, Chelsea seemed to play with greater confidence during the last hour, and Harrison (46 mins.) and Block (57 mins.) got the goals that put them into the Semi-Final. Frankly it was a disappointing ending for all Hammers* fans among the 5,113 attendance.
LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Brett)
21 October 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
The Combination visitors to Upton Park were Luton Town and five minutes after the start Ron Brett (who did a lot of hard work) put us ahead, and we held this advantage until after the interval. The Hatters succeeded in equalising during the second half and aided by splendid goalkeeping from Ron Baynham they held on to make a 1-1 draw. Tony Scott marked his return with a useful performance, and John Lyall has gone a long way to regaining full fitness after sustaining a knee injury in the first game of the season.
NOTTS COUNTY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Dear
Brett
Britt
Beesley
Scott
Our
MANSFIELD TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
Our
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Scott
Boyce
Tindall
Beesley
Brett
Our
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Tindall
Beesley
Scott
Our
ARSENAL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Bickles
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Our
LEICESTER CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Our
IPSWICH TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Peters
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Our
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Our
CARDIFF CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Our
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Sealey
Brett
Dear
Our
CRYSTAL PALACE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Brett
Sealey
Beesley
Scott
Our
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Crawford
Our
NORWICH CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Hugo
Our
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
Our
BRISTOL ROVERS
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
Our
COLCHESTER UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Hugo
Our
LUTON TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Brett
Tindall
Beesley
Crawford
Our
NOTTS COUNTY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Hurst
Lansdowne
Hugo
Woodley
Brett
Tindall
Beesley
Crawford
Our
MANSFIELD TOWN
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Burkett
Charles
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Sissons
Hugo
Our
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Scott
Our
ARSENAL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Bickles
Lansdowne
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Crawford
Our
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Scott
Boyce
Beesley
Dick
Crawford
Our
NORWICH CITY
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Dickie
Jones
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Charles
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hurst
Hugo
Our
COLCHESTER UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Grainger
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Hurst
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Musgrove
Hugo
Our