WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1976-77 South East Counties League (Division 1)
NORWICH CITY
Chadwell Heath
1 - 3 (Bassett)
21 August 1976
Fink, Weight, Boyce P., Newman, Shirley, Lansdowne, Beauchamp, Bassett, Morgan, Devlin, O'Connor
Our team opened its Division One schedule with a fixture against Norwich City at Chadwell Heath. We included three new apprentices in an otherwise all-amateur line-up. On a pitch suffering from the effects of the hot weather, neither side found conditions fully to their liking. We had a couple of near-misses early on, but the Canaries eventually took control to win 3-1 after leading 2-1 at the interval.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Chadwell Heath
1 - 5 (Devlin)
28 August 1976
Bowles S., Boyce P., Weight, Howe, Brignull, Beauchamp, Gale I., Morgan, Devlin, O'Connor, Shirley
REPORT:
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road
3 - 5 (Beauchamp, Devlin, Morgan)
4 September 1976
Harrington G., Brignull, Howe (Weight), Clarke, Shirley, Baldwin, Beauchamp, Lansdowne, Morgan, Devlin, Simmonds
REPORT:
GILLINGHAM
Chadwell Heath
0 - 1
11 September 1976
Harrington G., Curbishley P., Brignull, Clarke, Baldwin, Shirley, Beauchamp, Gale I., Lansdowne, Devlin, Horan
The undefeated Gillingham team continued its successful run by scoring the only goal of our meeting at Chadwell Heath. This was half-a-minute before the interval, and although we created chances that might have brought a better result, it was generally a disappointing morning for the Hammers.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Cheshunt
2 - 4 (Beauchamp, [og])
18 September 1976
Harrington G., Brignull, Curbishley P., Horan, Shirley, Lansdowne, Beauchamp, Gale I., Baldwin, Devlin, O'Connor A. (Boyce P.)
There was not much prospect of our under-18's taking any points from Tottenham at their Cheshunt training ground. We were only 2-1 down at half-time, but the home side pushed the score up to 4-1 before we got a late consolation counter to end 2-4 down.
PORTSMOUTH : SECL Division One Cup (First Round)
Royal Marines Ground
0 - 2
25 September 1976
Kersten N.
Boyce P.
Brignull
Gale I.
Shirley
Howe J. (Sheehan D.)
Beauchamp
Curbishley P.
Baldwin
Horan
O'Connor A.
A missed penalty did not make things any easier for our under-18's in their visit to Eastney for a First Round tie. The unbeaten Portsmouth team was naturally thankful for this let-off, but even so they were good value for the 2-0 victory, one goal being scored in each half.
BRISTOL CITY : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Preliminary Round)
Upton Park
5 - 1 (Beauchamp, Brignull, Horan, Lansdowne, Morgan)
7 October 1976
Kersten N.
Curbishley P.
Brignull
Devlin (Bassett D.)
Shirley
Baldwin T.
Beauchamp
Hurlock
Morgan
Lansdowne
Horan
The Youth Team gained a very good victory in a Preliminary Round tie at Upton Park against the fancied Bristol City team which included four of their Reserve XI which had appeared here on the previous Saturday in a Combination fixture. Our line-up included all four of our apprentice pros.
City scored first, but by half-time we had netted three in reply. The second half continued in our favour, and ended with a convincing margin of 5-1.
MILLWALL
Langley Park
0 - 0
9 October 1976
Harrington G., Boyce P., Howe J., May A., Shirley, Baldwin T., Beauchamp, Bassett D. (O'Connor A.), Kelsey M., Brignull, Horan
Both teams had their chances in the engagement with Millwall at their Langley Park ground. However, in the end the defences held out, and a goalless draw brought our under-18's their first point of the season.
PORTSMOUTH
Chadwell Heath
1 - 6 (O'Connor)
16 October 1976
Wheatland, Curbishley P., Howe J., Cowie, Shirley, Baldwin T., Beauchamp (Devlin), Lansdowne, Morgan, Horan, O'Connor D.
REPORT:
CHELSEA
Molesey
0 - 2
23 October 1976
Harrington G., Curbishley P., Howe J., Lansdowne, Shirley, Brignull, Hurlock, Gale I., Morgan, Horan, O'Connor D.
REPORT:
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Chadwell Heath
4 - 3 (Beauchamp, Gale, Horan, Lansdowne)
30 October 1976
Bowles S., Brignull, Curbishley P., Gale I., Shirley, Baldwin T., Beauchamp, Hurlock, Morgan, Lansdowne, Horan
The Youth Team 'broke the ice' by securing its first win of the season in the South East Counties League. A duel with Charlton Athletic at Chadwell Heath saw us home by the odd goal in seven, thanks to a more encouraging display than that of the earlier weeks.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
South Ruislip
2 - 4 (Beauchamp, Devlin)
6 November 1976
Harrington G., Lansdowne, Curbishley P., Banton D., Shirley, Baldwin T. (Howe J.), Beauchamp, Hurlock, Morgan, Devlin, Horan
The Youth Team faced a difficult proposition when it visited Queens Park Rangers at their South Ruislip ground. The strong Rangers' side dominated most of the proceedings and alter leading 2-0 at the interval went further ahead. The Hammers rallied in the later stages to score twice, but the eventual margin was 2-4.
SOUTHEND UNITED
Rochway
0 - 5
13 November 1976
Bowles S., Boyce P., Curbishley P., Banton D., Baldwin T., Brignull, Beauchamp (Howe J.), Lansdowne, Morgan, Devlin, Horan
After their loss against Queens Park Rangers last week, another away game brought a heavy defeat by Southend United, who netted five times without reply in a one-sided encounter which the Seasiders dominated from start to finish.
ARSENAL
Chadwell Heath
1 - 1 (Beauchamp)
20 November 1976
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Clark J., Shirley, Williams G., Beauchamp, Banton D., Morgan, Devlin, O'Connor D.
The home game against Arsenal on ended in a 1-1 draw that was generally reflective of the play. The Gunners opened the scoring, but Clive Beauchamp equalised before half-time to earn us a worthy point.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Mitcham
2 - 2 (Devlin, Morgan)
27 November 1976
Phillips B., Brignull, Sheehan D., Curbishley P., Shirley, Williams G., Beauchamp, Banton D., Morgan, Devlin (Boyce P.), O'Connor D.
We travelled to Mitcham to play Crystal Palace and collected another point in a game that produced four goals. We held a half-time lead of a single tally, but the Young Glaziers came back and earned their point against a good Hammers' team performance.
Our "away" fixture against Norwich City on December 4 was arranged at Chadwell Heath, but was subsequently postponed because of the pitch condition.
ORIENT : FA Youth Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
1 - 3 (Hurlock)
6 December 1976
Phillips B.
Curbishley P.
Brignull
Lansdowne
Shirley
Williams
Beauchamp
O'Connor
Hurlock
Morgan
Devlin
We made an early exit from this competition, losing to Orient in the Second Round at Upton Park.
The O's led by a single goal at half-time, but ran the count up to three after the interval before we got a solitary reply to go under by 3-1. Terry Hurlock was our scorer.
FULHAM
Chadwell Heath
4 - 2 (Lansdowne 3, Morgan)
11 December 1976
Phillips B., Curbishley A. (Howe), Sheehan D., Lansdowne, Brignull, Williams, Beauchamp, Banton, Morgan, Devlin, Horan
Although a goal down at half-time, our under-18's rallied well in the second half to beat Fulham at Chadwell Heath. Billy Lansdowne won a personal "man of the match" award with his hat-trick, but was well backed-up by a team that is showing improvement.
SOUTHEND UNITED : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
4 - 2 (Lansdowne 2 [1 pen], Beauchamp, Shirley)
13 December 1976
Bowles S.
Williams G.
Sheehan D.
Banton
Shirley
Brignull
Beauchamp
Devlin
Morgan
Lansdowne
Horan
REPORT:
WATFORD
Woodside Stadium
4 - 1 (Lansdowne 2, Beauchamp, [og])
1 January 1977
Phillips B., Williams G., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Beauchamp, Devlin, Morgan, O'Connor D., Lansdowne
Watford opened the scoring in our game at their Woodside Stadium ground on New Year's Day, but we were on level terms before the interval. The second half went all our way, and three further goals brought a convincing 4-1 victory; our scorers were Billy Lansdowne (2) and Clive Beauchamp, and an "own goal." The win took us three places up in the table.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Chadwell Heath
5 - 1 (Morgan 3, Beauchamp, Horan)
8 January 1977
Phillips B., Williams G., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Beauchamp, Devlin, Morgan, Horan, Lansdowne
Our Youth Team had an excellent win against Crystal Palace at Chadwell Heath. A goal up at the interval, the Hammers piled on the pressure in the second half to run up a 5-1 score. Nicky Morgan did especially well, netting his first hat-trick in our colours.
ORIENT
Chadwell Heath
3 - 0 (Lansdowne 2 [1 pen], Banton)
22 January 1977
Phillips B., Williams G., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Beauchamp, Devlin, Morgan, Horan, Lansdowne
Foot-of-the-table Orient did not pose many problems for our under-18's at Chadwell Heath. The visiting line-up was somewhat inexperienced, and we could have won by more than the eventual 3-0 margin. Billy Lansdowne netted one of his two goals from a penalty, Dave Banton scoring the other.
GILLINGHAM
Garrison Ground
1 - 0 (Lansdowne)
29 January 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D. (Williams G.), Devlin, Shirley, Brignull, Beauchamp (Banton D.), Hurlock, Morgan, Horan, Lansdowne
We might well have scored more than one goal against Gillingham at the Garrison Ground, but failed to find the necessary finish to add to our tally. As it happened Billy Lansdowne's counter proved sufficient for us to annex both points.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Brignull, Lansdowne, Morgan)
31 January 1977
Phillips B.
Curbishley P.
Sheehan D.
Devlin
Shirley
Brignull
Thomson
Hurlock
Morgan
Horan
Lansdowne
Against a strong Wolverhampton side our Youth Team had an excellent victory in the Second Round to secure their sixth successive victory.
After many good efforts in the opening exchanges we took the lead on the half-hour, Phil Brignull scoring with a dipping left - foot shot. Two minutes later Billy Lansdowne added a second to give us an interval lead.
The second half opened with the Midlanders pressing hard to get on the score-sheet, but in the 64th minute Nicky Morgan headed home a corner to set up a comfortable 3—0 final margin. This was a good all-round team effort, and our best performance of the season.
ARSENAL
London Colney
2 - 3 (Horan, Lansdowne)
5 February 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Horan, Lansdowne
It appeared likely that we would gain our seventh successive victory when we led Arsenal by 2-0 with only ten minutes to go at London Colney last Saturday. Billy Lansdowne scored his tenth of the season in S.E. Counties League games and Tommy Horan got the other. Then a tremendous rally from the Gunners not only enabled them to level the scores, but also earned the winning counter almost on the final whistle; the 2-3 loss was therefore all the more hard to bear.
ORIENT
Chadwell Heath (Away game played at Home)
1 - 3 (Devlin)
12 February 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull (Williams G.), Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Horan (Beauchamp), Lansdowne
Foot-of-the-table Orient fielded their full Youth Cup team against us, and their extra experience on this occasion produced a surprise result. Two goals before the interval and another after the resumption gave them a commanding lead, and though Maurice Devlin reduced the margin, we also missed a penalty which would have put us in with the chance of a point. The game was O's home fixture, but was transferred to Chadwell Heath as the Spring Hill pitch was unfit.
IPSWICH TOWN
Chadwell Heath
3 - 4 (Lansdowne 2, [og])
26 February 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Banton D., Shirley, Williams G., Beauchamp, Devlin, Morgan, Hurlock, Lansdowne
Although our Youth Team only lost by the odd goal against Ipswich Town at Chadwell Heath, it was a match which we should have won. The League leaders eventually ended 4-3 ahead after being two up at half-time, but we never got on level terms despite a late rally which could have earned a point. Billy Lansdowne added two goals to his increasing tally for the season, our other counter being an "own goal."
WATFORD
Chadwell Heath
6 - 3 (Thomson 3, Beauchamp 2,[og])
5 March 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Williams G., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Beauchamp, Horan
The match at Chadwell Heath last Saturday was a poor game, but also a goal-fiesta, the Hammers' winning margin being 6-3; the defeat put Watford back to the foot of the table. Brian Thomson opened his scoring account for us with a hat-trick, and Clive Beauchamp netted twice ; our other was an own goal.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Unilever Ground
1 - 1 (O'Connor)
12 March 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Williams G., Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Horan, Devlin, Morgan, Beauchamp, O'Connor D.
The match against Charlton Athletic at Unilever Ground was not exceptional, and the 1-1 draw just about summed up the situation. Danny O'Connor equalised for us after the Athletic had opened the scoring in the second half.
MILLWALL
Chadwell Heath
1 - 4 (Brignull)
19 March 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Horan, Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Hurlock, Beauchamp (O'Connor D.)
Millwall more-or-less had the match won in the first ten minutes when they visited Chadwell Heath on March 19. That three-goals spell put them in a commanding situation, and the eventual score ended up 1-4.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Chadwell Heath
1 - 2 ([og])
26 March 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Horan, Banton D., Shirley, Brignull, Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Beauchamp, O'Connor D. (Bassett D.)
The game v Spurs at Chadwell Heath was not very interesting. The visitors led by one goal at half-time, added another after the interval — and then put the ball in their own net to make the final tally 2-1 for them.
CRYSTAL PALACE : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Semi-Final)
Upton Park
0 - 2
29 March 1977
Phillips B.
Sheehan D.
Horan
Banton
Shirley
Brignull
Thomson
Hurlock
Morgan
Devlin
Lansdowne
The first half of our Semi-Final against Crystal Palace at Upton Park ended with a blank score-sheet; however, it could well have been different, confirmed by the fact that we twice struck the woodwork in that period. Having survived these near-misses, the Young Glaziers came right into the picture after the interval, and netted two well-taken goals in the 61st and 73rd minutes to qualify for the Final.
Our team made several promising attacks in an endeavour to reduce the arrears, but was foiled by fine goal-keeping. Palace had several youth internationals in their line-up, and in the end proved stronger in a game which was quite entertaining.
CHELSEA
Chadwell Heath
1 - 2 (Morgan [pen])
2 April 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Cowie G., Shirley, Williams G., Beauchamp, Bassett D., Morgan, Devlin, Sansum A.
A twice-taken penalty was saved by the Chelsea 'keeper in the game at Chadwell Heath, but Nicky Morgan netted the rebound to put us one up at half-time. But the Blues retaliated in the second half, and scored twice to annex the points and maintain their challenge for honours.
NORWICH CITY
Chadwell Heath (Away game played at Home)
2 - 0 (Morgan 2)
16 April 1977
Phillips B., Curbishley P., Horan, Beauchamp, Shirley, Brignull, Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Cowie, Lansdowne
Our "away" fixture v Norwich City took place at Chadwell Heath, as the Canaries are now without a ground for home matches. We ended as fairly comfortable winners after a goalless first half, Nicky Morgan scoring twice.
WOODFORD TOWN : London Youth Cup (Semi-Final)
Sorry No Image
Snakes Lane
4 - 2 (Lansdowne 3, Beauchamp)
21 April 1977
Phillips B.
Curbishley P.
Sheehan D.
Beauchamp
Shirley
Brignull
Thomson
Hurlock
Lansdowne
Devlin
Horan
The final was deferred to the following season 26 October 1977 and took place against Tottenham Hotspur at Brookfield Lane, Cheshunt.
Spurs won 4-2
SOUTHEND UNITED
Chadwell Heath
3 - 1 (Morgan 2, Thomson)
30 April 1977
Holmes J., Curbishley P., Sheehan D., Beauchamp, Williams G., Brignull (Bassett D.), Thomson, Devlin, Morgan, Horan, O'Connor A.
The home game at Chadwell Heath ended in a 3-1 victory, after Southend United had drawn level before half-time. Brian Thomson was the scorer of our first goal, and Nicky Morgan got both the second-half counters; the first was a header from a free-kick, and the second conversion came from close in after Alan O'Connor centre.
PORTSMOUTH
Royal Marine Ground, Eastney
1 - 1 (Kirk)
14 May 1977
Holmes J., Hudson, Sheehan D., Banton, Williams G., Kirk, Beauchamp, Devlin, Oberstella, Cutler, O'Connor A.
REPORT:
FULHAM
Putney
0 - 0
23 May 1977
Holmes J., Williams, Sheehan D., Banton, Brignull, Horan, Thomson, Beauchamp, Morgan, Devlin, Lansdowne
REPORT:
