WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1970-71 Metropolitan League
Manager: Bill Lansdowne
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BLETCHLEY : Autumn Shield
Manor Road
2 - 2 (Gill, Watson)
15 August 1970
Marsh
Watson
Scales
Aylott
Hook
Lock
Ayris
Sutton
Wallace
Gill
Durrell
REPORT:
HATFIELD TOWN : Autumn Shield
Chadwell Heath
3 - 1 (Wallace 2, Gill)
22 August 1970
Marsh, Watson, Scales, Aylott, Hook, Lock, Barnes, Pointe, Wallace, Gill, Durrell
Continuing in their group of the Autumn Shield competition, our "A" Team met Hatfield Town at Chadwell Heath. A side containing several apprentices comfortably disposed of the Hertfordshire club, who were two goals down at half-time, both netted by Ken Wallace. The visitors rallied to reduce the arrears, but a further tally by Stephen Gill settled the issue five minutes from time. This made our record three points from two games.
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METROPOLITAN POLICE : Autumn Shield
Imber Court
0 - 2
29 August 1970
Marsh
Watson
Scales
Aylott
Hook
Sutton
Ayris
Pointer
Coker
Gill
Durrell
The Hammers got little satisfaction out of the "A" Team matches in the Autumn Shield group, losing by 0-2 to Metropolitan Police at Imber Court. The Police got a goal in each half to gain their points.
EPPING TOWN : Autumn Shield
Stowards Hill Ground
2 - 3 (Aylott, Gill)
31 August 1970
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Aylott
Lock
Scales
Ayris
Sutton
Coker
Gill
Durrell
The Essex club were much the better side in the first half in this engagement, being two up at the interval; we fought back after the resumption, but in the end the Town earned their points.
Three points from four games has not been too good a start for our young side in this competition, but we shall be hoping for a better result this afternoon when we meet Bletchley at Chadwell Heath.
BLETCHLEY : Autumn Shield
Chadwell Heath
3 - 2 (Gill 2 [2 pens])
5 September 1970
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Marchant, Lock, Aylott, Ayris, Sutton, Coker, Gill, Durrell
Eight of the players available for this season's senior youth competitions were in the "A" Team line-up against Bletchley at Chadwell Heath. In the opening half of this Autumn Shield group match a penalty converted by Stephen Gill gave us an interval lead. John Ayris made it 2-0 but the visitors reduced this margin almost immediately. Then Gill again scored from the spot — only for Bletchley to net once more. However there was no further scoring, and we gained a deserved win by the odd goal in five.
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HATFIELD TOWN : Autumn Shield
Stonecross Road
1 - 4 (Aylott)
12 September 1970
Marsh
Scales
Fulton
Aylott
Marchant
Lock
Ayris
Pointer
Coker
Smith M. (Gill)
Durrell
REPORT:
CHELMSFORD CITY Reserves
Chadwell Heath
2 - 0 (Coker, Gregory)
19 September 1970
Marsh, Marchant, Faulkner, Pointer, Scales, Lock, Taylor A., Sutton (Kinnear), Coker, Gill, Gregory
REPORT:
METROPOLITAN POLICE : Autumn Shield
Chadwell Heath
2 - 2 (Coker, Wallace)
26 September 1970
Marsh, Marchant, Fulton, Pointer, Scales, Lock, Taylor A., Sutton, Coker, Wallace, Gregory
REPORT:
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves : Autumn Shield
The Eyrie
0 - 2
3 October 1970
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Pointer
Scales
Lock
Taylor A.
Sutton
Coker
Barnes (Yallop)
Gregory
We continued with the Autumn Shield journey when we travelled to The Eyrie to play Bedford Town Reserves. In the first half we struggled against a strong wind, and although Ade Coker hit the bar with a header in the opening minute we found ourselves two goals in arrears at the interval. In the second half we were unlucky not to score through a number of chance. This 2-0 defeat means that we shall certainly not qualify for the play-offs.
BURY TOWN
Kings Road Ground
3 - 2 (Coker, Gill, Wallace)
10 October 1970
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Sutton
Scales
Lock
Gill
Taylor A.
Coker
Wallace
Gregory
The Hammers made a runaway start in the First Round tie of the Professional Cup at Bury St. Edmunds, being three up at the interval. The Town club buckled down to their difficult task in the second half and scored twice, but our young side held on very well to earn a 3-2 victory against an experienced XI.
EPPING TOWN : Autumn Shield
Chadwell Heath
2 - 1 (Coker 2)
17 October 1970
Marsh, Marchant, Watson, Pointer, Scales, Lock, Taylor A., Barnes, Coker, Gill, Gregory
Epping Town were surprised to lose their unbeaten record when they visited Chadwell Heath, as until then they had taken twelve points from eight games. They fought back to reduce a two-goal deficit, but ended on the wrong end of a 2-1 score after Ade Coker had netted once each side of the interval. Our youngsters were well pleased with a useful win.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves : Autumn Shield
Chadwell Heath
5 - 1 (Gill 2, Coker, Gregory, [og])
24 October 1970
Marsh, Marchant, Watson, Pointer, Scales, Lock, Barnes, Sutton, Coker (Taylor A.), Gill, Gregory
After giving away an early goal against Bedford Town Reserves at Chadwell Heath, we equalised when the opposing left winger scored an own goal from 25 yards ! Adc Coker netted before half-time to put us in the lead, and after the interval Stephen Gill (twice) and Paul Gregory added further goals to bring a comfortable victory in a good game.
Victories in their two concluding Autumn Shield group matches has made our "A" Team's overall record up to ten points from the same number of games. We eventually ended in third place in our six-team group of the Autumn Shield preliminaries.
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WODFORD TOWN
Snakes Lane
1 - 1 (Taylor)
31 October 1970
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Pointer
Marchant
Lock
Barnes
Taylor A.
Coker (Brown)
Gill
Gregory
Our "A" Team resumed its schedule in the League tourney of the Metropolitan League with a visit to Woodford Town. It was not a very good match, and proved somewhat disappointing before the finish. Alan Taylor ended a good move a quarter-of-an-hour after the start, hitting a good shot as he brought the ball forward from around 25 yards out. The Town responded with an equaliser and with no scoring in the second half, the game ended 1-1.
BEDFORD TPWN : Metropolitan League Cup (First Round)
Chadwell Heath
0 - 0
7 November 1970
Marsh, Howlett (Richardson), Fulton, Yallop, Marchant, Brickell, Aldridge, Taylor A., Brown, Kinnear, French
Like our other sides, the "A"' Team's line-up was far from the usual composition. It included four amateurs from our Youth Section and the oldest player in the side was 17 years old. Although Bedford Town Reserves netted several "offside" goals none counted, and to gain a goalless draw against an experienced side was a very useful performance; it gives us the chance to qualify for the Second Round of the League Cup if we win the replay.
CHELMSFORD CITY Reserves
New Writtle Street
2 - 4 (Dear, Kinnear)
14 November 1970
Day
Watson
Fulton
Aylott
Marchant
Kinnear
Brown
Wallace
Dear
Richardson
Gregory
As Chelmsford City were without a Southern League game on November 14, they took the opportunity to include a quartet of First Team regulars against us in a Metropolitan League match on their ground. In the circumstances we did well to be twice in the lead and hold a 2-1 margin at half-time, but experience told in the second-hall' and our "A" Team went under by 2-4. Brian Dear had a try-out in this game following a spell oil after injury, and he netted one of the goals; Chris Kinnear got the Hammers' other counter.
HATFIELD TOWN
Chadwell Heath
2 - 0 (Gill [pen], Wallace)
21 November 1970
Marsh, Yallop, Fulton, Barnes, Lock, Kinnear, Gill, Taylor A., Coker, Wallace, Gregory
We did much better in a home game against Hatfield Town, although the Hertfordshire club held us scoreless at half-time. However, we mastered the difficult conditions after the interval and goals by Ken Wallace and Stephen Gill from a penalty turned it into 2-0.
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CRAY WANDERERS
Grassmeade
0 - 2
28 November 1970
Marsh
Kinnear
Watson
Heffer (Barnes)
Marchant
Lock
Gill
Sutton
Coker
Wallace
Durrell
Against Cray Wanderers at the "Grasmeade" Ground our "A" Team had a very hard fixture. Paul Heffer had a try-out after his recent knee injury but had to be substituted after half-an-hour when he had a recurrence of the trouble. John Watson was unlucky with two good shots which went close, but the home side gained the spoils with two goals in the last fifteen minutes.
WOODFORD TOWN
Chadwell Heath
0 - 1
5 December 1970
Marsh, Heffer (Yallop), Kinnear, Barnes, Marchant, Lock, Wallace, Taylor A., Coker, Gill, Gregory
The troublesome injury which has been bothering Paul Heffer recurred again last Saturday when he played against Woodford Town at Chadwell Heath; it cropped up about ten minutes after the kick-off, and although he persevered until about ten minutes after the interval, we had to pull him out of the game. The effort of playing "a man short" had taken some of the steam out of our side, and the visitors eventually got a goal and held that margin to take the spoils. We now have five points from six games.
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METROPOLITAN POLICE
Imber Court
0 - 4
12 December 1970
Marsh
Kinnear
Charles C.
Pointer
Aylott
Scales
Wallace
Sutton
Coker
Gill
Durrell
Our "A" Team never really got under way against Metropolitan Police at Imber Court on December 12, and two goals each side of the interval brought a 0-4 defeat. It was a low standard performance by the Hammers, and the report is necessarily brief.
EPPING TOWN
Chadwell Heath
0 - 2
19 December 1970
Day, Yallop, Kinnear (Martin), Keary, Marchant, Lock, Brown, Taylor A., Coker, Gill, Gregory
At half-time we were a goal down and called upon to replace Chris Kinnear as the latter had twisted his ankle; but it could have been a happier story if we had not missed some vital chances before the break. The second half told much the same tale, as two good efforts by Stephen Gill were cleared from the line — and then Epping Town got another goal to annex the points.
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
Metropolitan League Cup (First Round Replay)
The Eyrie
1 - 1 (Gill)
9 January 1971
Marsh
Yallop
Fulton
Boyce
Stephenson
Lock
Barnes
Taylor A.
Coker
Gill
Gregory
After a couple of blank Saturdays the "A" Team resumed its schedule with a visit to Bedford Town Reserves for a First Round replay in the League Challenge Cup last week. It turned out to be a lengthy duel, for after a goalless 90 minutes the game went to extra time. Bedford scored and we equalised within minutes of the start of the additional period, but with no further goals arriving we have to meet yet again this afternoon !
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BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
Metropolitan League Cup (First Round 2nd Replay)
The Eyrie
3 - 5 (Gill, Holland, Sutton)
16 January 1971
Pye
Watson
Fulton
Barnes
Keary
Lock
Gill
Holland
Coker
Sutton
Durrell
We met Bedford Town Reserves for the third time in the Challenge Cup, previous away-and-home encounters having ended in drawn games. It was a ding-dong tussle up to the interval on this occasion; Bedford opened the scoring, we went ahead by 2-1, and then the Eagles equalised on the stroke of half-time. After the resumption, the home side netted three, and a late reply made the final count 3-5 against us.
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BURY TOWN
Kings Road Ground
0 - 2
23 January 1971
Day
Watson
Fulton
Barnes
Keary
Lock
Coker
Sutton
Heffer
Gill
Durrell
Ground conditions for our visit to Bury Town were better than expected, and the spectators enjoyed good entertainment. We conceded a penalty at the end of an hour to go one down, and another goal ensured the Suffolk club of the points. Our team consisted entirely of Youth Section players with the exception of Paul Heffer who was having a run-out after injury; he came through satisfactorily.
The only real consolation that we got from last Saturday's League game at Bletchley was that Alan Stephenson made another appearance in our lineup as a step towards full fitness. The score-line showed the homesters scoring six goals without reply on a day when they played extremely well.
BLETCHLEY
Manor Fields
0 - 6
30 January 1971
Marsh
Watson
Charles C.
Barnes
Stephenson
Keary
Gill
Sutton (Kinnear)
Heffer
Wallace
Durrell
REPORT:
BLETCHLEY
Chadwell Heath
0 - 1
6 February 1971
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Heffer (Havicon), Keary, Scales, Pointer, Sutton, Coker, Gill, Durrell
After our 0 6 reverse at Bletchley on the previous Saturday we did much better in the return game at Chadwell Heath. This time the margin against the Hammers was a solitary goal, but had they taken the opportunities to convert some of Joe Durrell's excellent centres our youngsters could have picked up the points. Another unhappy feature of the afternoon was that Paul Heffer's leg injury again proved troublesome, and he had to be substituted 20 minutes from time.
ROMFORD Reserves
Chadwell Heath
1 - 0 (Coker)
13 February 1971
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Barnes, Aldridge (Keary), Lock, Havicon, Sutton, Coker, Wallace, Gill
After failing to score in three successive games our third string got a single counter against Romford Reserves in a League game at Chadwell Heath last Saturday. It was sufficient to gain full spoils, as the visitors were comfortably held by our defence.
The first half had been goalless, and when we missed a penalty it appeared that we were destined for another blank day. especially as chances had been frittered away. However Ade Coker finally found the net to raise our spirits. Peter Keary came on as half-time substitute, and showed he is recovering from the injury which had kept him out for most of the season.
METROPOLITAN POLICE
Chadwell Heath
2 - 0 (Pointer, Wallace)
20 February 1971
Grotier, Charles C., Scales, Aylott, Stephenson, Keary, Pointer, Sutton, Wallace, Havicon, Dear
The Metropolitan Police side has a leavening of experienced ex-professionals in its line-up and is a hard side to beat. However, they met their match last Saturday when a strong-looking Hammers' XI scored a goal in each half to win by 2-0. It was quite an interesting game, but overall we were generally on top to be convincing winners.
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HATFIELD TOWN
Stonecross Road
2 - 2 (Gill, Wallace)
27 February 1971
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Aylott
Keary
Scales
Havicon
Pointer
Wallace
Gill
Gregory
After an even first half our "A' team changed over at one-each against Hatfield Town. A further goal gave the Hammers a second-half lead, but with four minutes to go we conceded a simple goal and the home side were able to snatch a point.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
The Eyrie
3 - 1 (Gill, Havicon, Wallace)
1 March 1971
Marsh
Rands
Charles C.
Aylott
Keary
Scales
Havicon
Best
Wallace
Llewelyn
Gill
We had a strong side of youngsters out for the visit to Bedford on Monday, but the Southern Leaguers included some of their seniors in what was for them a Reserve Team engagement. The Hammers thus did very well to win by 3-1.
CHELMSFORD CITY Reserves
Metropolitan League Cup (Semi-Final)
New Writtle Street
0 - 3
6 March 1971
Marsh
Heffer
Fulton
Aylott
Keary
Lock
Barnes
Sutton
Coker
Gill
Gregory
Dismissal from the Pro Cup at Chelmsford on has ended the majority of our interest in the Metropolitan League, as we have no more cup ties and are not in a position to gain honours in the league tourney.
Our "A" Team did far better than the 0-3 score indicated when losing to Chelmsford Reserves. In the first place the Essex club fielded nine of their First Team which is at present challenging for Southern League honours, their fixture that day being postponed; and secondly, the tally was only 0-1 in their favour until three minutes from time.
Match Void
It later transpired that Chelmsford had fielded an ineligible player, the Hammers were subsequently awarded the win and progressed to the Final
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SHEPPEY UNITED
Botany Road Ground
2 - 0 (Barnes, Rands)
9 March 1971
Watson
Rands
Fulton
Aylott
Keary
Scales
Barnes
Wallace
Dear
Sutton
Gill
Having received an injury on the previous Saturday against Chelmsford Reserves, Paul Marsh was not fit enough to play in goal against Sheppey Utd. on March 9 at Botany Road. At short notice John Watson became our hist line of defence, and after an uneasy start settled down excellently.
We opened the scoring in the first half when Ken Wallace moved down the left wing and centred from the bye-line to Barry Barnes who netted with a first-time shot. After the interval we ensured the points when Len Rands moved upfield to score with a solo effort from just inside the penalty-area.
BURY TOWN
Chadwell Heath
1 - 2 (Gill)
13 March 1971
Marsh, Rands, Watson, Lock, Keary, Scales, Barnes, Sutton, Wallace, Gill, Gregory
We entertained Bury Town at Chadwell Heath, the visitors took an early lead, and we had to wait until ten minutes before the interval to equalise through Stephen Gill, who won the ball in a tackle as Bury were bringing the ball out of defence. However, ten minutes after the restart we conceded a free-kick and from it the visitors scored to take both points.
The announcement that Bletchley, Bury Town, Metropolitan Police and Woodford Town are to join the Southern League next season will considerably deplete the present ranks of the Metropolitan League. It is also likely that we shall be leaving the competition, as we expect to disband our "A" Team this year.
ROMFORD Reserves
Chadwell Heath
1 - 1 Lock)
20 March 1971
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Barnes, Keary, Lock, Taylor A., Sutton, Gill, Durrell, Gregory
A Barry Barnes free - kick was headed in by Kevin Lock to put us one uo at the interval against Rom-ford Res. at our Chadwell Heath Ground on March 20. The visitors equalised during the second half to earn a deserved draw on a heavy ground that cut up towards the end.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves
Chadwell Heath
0 - 1
27 March 1971
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Barnes, Marchant, Lock, Brown, Taylor A., Coker, Gregory, Durrell
The line-up at Chadwell Heath consisted entirely of players from our Youth Section. They had the better of the exchanges for most of the game against a side containing experienced players, and could have ended in front. However, Bedford Town Res. took one of the few chances offered to them, this second-half goal being the only score.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves :
Metropolitan League Cup (Final 1st-leg)
The Eyrie
1 - 2 (Durrell)
7 April 1971
Grotier
Watson
Scales
Barnes
Keary
Lock
Ayris
Sutton
Wallace
Gill
Durrell
We had an unexpected fixture, this being the first leg of the Final of the League Professional Cup v Bedford Town Reserves at The Eyrie. We were eliminated in the Semi-Final of this competition by Chelmsford City Reserves, but it was subsequently discovered that the Essex club had fielded an ineligible player; they were therefore disqualified, and we got a " free" passage to the Final.
The first leg took place on the Wednesday before Easter. After a goalless first half, we took the lead when Joe Durrell charged down a clearance, went past an opponent and scored from an angle. However, the Eagles fought back, and scored twice to gain a margin for the second leg.
Incidentally, these two games will bring our total of meetings with Bedford this season to nine; there were two each in the League and Autumn Shield and three in the League Cup (due to a couple of replays).
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EPPING TOWN
Stowards Hill Ground
1 - 4 (Gill)
12 April 1971
Day
Watson
Fulton
Barnes
Keary
Lock
Pointer
Sutton
Coker
Gill
Durrell
A visit to Eppjng Town on Easter Monday. The Essex club were leading the league prior to our visit, and consolidated this with a convincing 4-1 victory, although we missed a number of chances of making the margin closer. Stephen Gill netted a penalty in the second half to bring his total to 15 in Metropolitan League matches this season.
BEDFORD TOWN Reserves :
Metropolitan League Cup (Final 2nd-leg)
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Gill)
28 April 1971
Marsh
Watson
Fulton
Barnes
Keary
Scales
Ayris
Sutton
Coker
Gill
Durrell
REPORT:
SHEPPEY UNITED
Chadwell Heath
2 - 2 (Ayris, Taylor)
1 May 1971
Marsh, Watson, Fulton, Brown, Marchant, Kinnear, Ayris, Taylor A., Coker, Gregory, Durrell
REPORT:
CRAY WANDERERS
Chadwell Heath
0 -1
5 May 1971
Pye, Yallop, Kinnear, Keary, Rands, Aylott, Brown, Smith M., Paris T., Scales, Oates
REPORT:
"A" TEAM DISBANDED
The disbanding of the "A" Team coupled with our withdrawal from the Metropolitan League was a possibility which has been discussed in the past and has been deferred for various reasons; but it was finally agreed upon as the most effective and certain "saving" of expenditure by reducing our playing-staff.
We joined the Metropolitan League in 1952-53, and overall it has helped in developing players from junior to senior soccer, as well as providing regular fixtures for our younger professionals. But the obvious problems which arise when a club is called upon to field five teams each Saturday become most apparent when we had a lengthy injury-list and the strength of line-ups progressively weakened.
In conveying the decision we expressed our thanks to the clubs and officials of the Metropolitan League, and although these were reciprocated they in their turn accepted that it further weakened their strength. In fact, the departure of other clubs from membership eventually led to amalgamation with the Greater London League - so we wish this new competition every success.
The releasing of younger professionals from "A" Team duty should mean a raising in the standard of play of our Youth Teams in the South East Counties League, and we hope that we shall find ourselves placed much higher in both Divisions of a strong tournament for the Under-18's.