WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
1997-98 South East Counties League
Coach-in-Charge: Peter Brabrook
The South East Counties League Management Committee has fallen in line with the rest of football this season, switching to the now‑standard system of three points for a win and one for a draw.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Chadwell Heath
2 - 0 (Bartley, Forbes)
9 August 1997
O'Reilly, Newton, Miller, Purches, Henry, Forbes, Etherington, McCann (Byrne), Alexander, Fernley (Bartley), Carrick
Our youngsters wasted no time making the new maths work in their favour. They launched their title pursuit in style with a confident 2–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Chadwell Heath.
After a tight, goalless first half, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 58th minute. Danny Bartley - introduced at the interval - pounced on a scramble in the Spurs box to stab home an opportunist opener. Seven minutes from time, the points were sealed in far more spectacular fashion. Tyrell Forbes stepped up and unleashed a thunderous 25‑yard drive that rocketed into the top corner, a finish worthy of any level of the game. A convincing start, three points on the board, and a statement of intent from a side clearly hungry for the championship.
FULHAM
Craven Cottage
6 - 0 (Alexander 5, Carrick)
16 August 1997
O'Reilly
Newton
Miller
Purches
Henry (Wells)
Forbes
Etherington
McCann
Alexander
Fernley (Bartley)
Carrick (Byrne)
A week later, our youngsters hit an even higher gear on their trip to West London, turning Craven Cottage into their own playground with a blistering display against hosts Fulham.
The star of the afternoon - by some distance - was Gary Alexander, who produced a ruthless, five‑goal masterclass as we ran out 6–0 winners. Fulham simply couldn’t live with him. Wave after wave of claret‑and‑blue pressure left the home side completely outplayed, overwhelmed and with no answer to Alexander’s finishing.
It was a crushing, emphatic victory - one that underlined just how confidently this side has started the campaign.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Sparrows Lane
6 - 2 (Bartley 2, Alexander, Etherington, Fernley, McCann)
23 August 1997
O'Reilly, Purches, Miller (Angus), Purches, Henry (Wells), Forbes, Etherington, McCann, Alexander, Fernley (Bartley), Carrick
The victory over Charlton Athletic - our third London opponents in as many weeks—was far harder earned than the 6–2 scoreline suggests. Once again, we flew out of the blocks. Inside the opening minute, Danny Fernley converted Adam Newton’s cross, and by the 17‑minute mark Grant McCann had doubled the lead with a blistering 30‑yard strike. When Gary Alexander added a third on 35 minutes, we were cruising and could easily have been four or five up by the interval.
But the restart brought a sloppy fifteen‑minute wobble. Charlton’s youngsters capitalised, pulling back two goals and briefly threatening to turn the afternoon on its head. Order was restored in the 70th minute when Craig Etherington finished off a flowing move, and substitute Danny Bartley struck twice - on 74 minutes and again in the final moments - to finally put the contest to bed. The margin looked emphatic; the match itself was anything but.
Still, three wins from three ensured our youngsters sat proudly at the top of the table at this early stage. The hope now is that this perfect start can be carried all the way through to next April.
NORWICH CITY
Chadwell Heath
4 - 0 (Bartley 2, [1 pen], Alexander, Etherington)
30 August 1997
O'Reilly, Purches, Miller (Angus), Henry, Wells, Forbes, Etherington (Briggs), Byrne, Bartley, Alexander (Grey), Carrick
The Youth Team tightened their grip on the South East Counties League with a fourth straight victory, sweeping aside last season’s champions Norwich City 4–0 at Chadwell Heath.
With 20 minutes played, Michael Carrick was tripped in the box and Danny Bartley calmly buried the resulting penalty. Ten minutes later, Craig Etherington doubled the lead, reacting quickest to follow up from close range. Five minutes before the interval, Gary Alexander showed superb control before turning sharply and drilling a right‑footed finish into the corner. Firmly in command, our youngsters maintained their dominance after the break, and the game was wrapped up on the hour mark when Bartley once again showed from the right, turned and netted from close range to seal an emphatic win.
ARSENAL
London Colney
1 - 0 (Alexander)
5 September 1997
O'Reilly, Purches, Miller, Wells, Henry, Forbes, Etherington, Byrne (Angus), Alexander, Carrick, Bartley
Because of the funeral arrangements for Diana, Princess of Wales three weeks earlier, our away fixture at Arsenal was brought forward 24 hours to Friday the 5th. The change of schedule did nothing to disrupt our momentum. A single goal from Gary Alexander, 15 minutes from time, was enough to preserve our youngsters’ 100% record and send them six points clear of the chasing pack.
In a tight, tactical contest with few clear‑cut chances, the breakthrough came from a fluent exchange between Alexander and his strike partner Danny Bartley. A neat one‑two opened the door, and the league’s leading scorer made no mistake, sweeping home the only goal of the game.
For long spells the two sides cancelled each other out. Steve Purches might have given us a half‑time lead had he shot rather than unselfishly squaring to a team‑mate, while Alexander himself had earlier passed up a good opening. His late winner more than made amends. It was the Young Gunners’ first defeat of the season—and another statement of intent from a West Ham side setting the early pace with real authority.
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : SECL Cup (First Round)
Chadwell Heath
8 - 2 (Briggs 3, Foyewa 2, Brayley, Gray, Newton)
13 September 1997
O'Reilly, Newton, Miller (Birch), Forbes, Wells, Angus, Hudson (Uddin), Briggs, Fernley (Brayley), Foyewa, Gray
Our youngsters launched their South East Counties League Cup campaign in emphatic style, sweeping aside Brighton & Hove Albion 8–2 at Chadwell Heath in the First Round.
With an FA Premier Youth League fixture just hours later, Tony Carr and Peter Brabrook were forced to split their resources, drafting several of the younger age‑group players into the Cup side for the morning kick‑off. They rose to the challenge superbly, producing a composed, energetic performance far too strong for visitors who normally operate in Division Two of the League competition.
Ryan Briggs set the tone with an early opener, before Amos Foyewa doubled the lead on 17 minutes and Adam Newton added a third five minutes later. Briggs struck again on 29 minutes, and Foyewa made it five on 40, giving us a commanding advantage before Brighton pulled one back from the penalty spot just before half‑time.
The second half brought no let‑up. Eddie Gray made it 6–1 on 56 minutes, and substitute Bertie Brayley added a seventh nine minutes from time. Briggs then completed his hat‑trick with four minutes remaining, before the young Seagulls grabbed a late consolation on the brink of the final whistle. A dominant display, eight goals on the board, and safe passage into the next round - where we travel to Norwich City.
There's an eight-goal thriller coming up, but before the kick-off the 16-man Hammers squad poses for the official team photo.
Back row: Adam Newton, Danny Bartley, David Partridge, Anthony Henry, Gary Alexander,
Neil Finn, Michael Carrick, Craig Etherington, Bertie Brayley.
Front row: Shaun Byrne, Danny Fernley, Stephen Purches, Chris Coyne, Joe Keith, Robert Miller
WATFORD
Chadwell Heath
3 - 1 (Alexander, Byrne, Garcia)
20 September 1997
O'Reilly, Newton, Miller, Angus, Wells, Forbes,, Byrne, Hudson (Iriekpen), Alexander, Bartley, Garcia (Taylor)
We welcomed another previously unbeaten side to Chadwell Heath as Watford arrived looking to protect their perfect start. Instead, they ran into a West Ham youth team brimming with belief, depth and resilience - especially with several junior players once again stepping up and proving they belonged. The result: a fully‑earned 3–1 victory and a sixth consecutive League win.
Despite a bright opening, we fell behind in the 32nd minute. But the response after the interval was immediate. Just four minutes into the second half, Garcia levelled the scores, finishing confidently to swing the momentum back our way.
From there, our youngsters took control. Midway through the second period, two goals in ten minutes settled the contest. Gary Alexander struck first on 66 minutes, netting his ninth League goal of the campaign to put us ahead. Shaun Byrne then made absolutely sure of the points, scoring his first of the season with 14 minutes remaining. Another unbeaten challenger dispatched, another three points secured, and the perfect start rolls on.
BARNET : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (First Round)
Upton Park
3 - 0 (Alexander, Carrick, Etherington)
24 September 1997
O'Reilly
Purches
Miller
Newton
Henry (Wells)
Forbes
Etherington (Briggs)
Byrne
Alexander
Carrick
Bartley (Fernley)
The youth team opened their Southern Junior Floodlit Cup campaign with a First Round home tie against North London rivals Barnet, who compete in the Second Division of the South East Counties League. From the outset, our youngsters imposed themselves, producing a composed, dominant performance that fully justified the final margin.
The breakthrough came in the ninth minute. Michael Carrick, drifting in from the right, finished off a cross that had evaded everyone after a neat move down the left. It set the tone for the evening. On 59 minutes, Gary Alexander doubled the lead, losing his marker before racing onto a through ball and crashing a right‑footed strike into the roof of the net from the edge of the area.
Five minutes later, the scoreline finally began to reflect our superiority. Craig Etherington released Adam Newton down the right, continued his run, and met the return pass with a thumping 18‑yard finish to make it 3–0.
Barnet’s only real moment came in the closing minutes when Alex O’Reilly, flawless all night, briefly fumbled a header - fortunately watching it bounce the right side of the post for a corner.
In truth, the final tally could easily have been double. This was a solid, confident team display, with Newton, Carrick and Terrell Forbes in particular showcasing the depth of talent being nurtured within our youth ranks.
Next up: an away trip to Portsmouth in the Second Round.
PORTSMOUTH
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SOUTHEND UNITED
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GILLINGHAM
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NORWICH CITY : SECL Cup (Second Round)
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CRYSTAL PALACE
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LEYTON ORIENT
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PORTSMOUTH : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (2nd Round)
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Chadwell Heath
8 November 1997
Postponed
MILLWALL
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IPSWICH TOWN : SECL Cup (Third Round)
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IPSWICH TOWN
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MILLWALL : FA Youth Cup (Second Round)
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CAMBRIDGE UNITED
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FULHAM
Chadwell Heath
3 January 1998
Postponed : Ground Waterlogged
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
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NORWICH CITY
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BLACKBURN ROVERS : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)
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ARSENAL : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Third Round)
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ARSENAL
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WATFORD
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PORTSMOUTH
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SOUTHEND UNITED
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GILLINGHAM
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CRYSTAL PALACE
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC : SECL Cup (Semi-Final)
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LEYTON ORIENT
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
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MILLWALL
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IPSWICH TOWN
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CAMBRIDGE UNITED
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QUEENS PARK RANGERS
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LUTON TOWN : SECL Cup (Final 1st leg)
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FULHAM
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LUTON TOWN : SECL Cup (Final 2nd leg)
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