WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
A Pictorial History
Syd King
#36 =
WILLIAM BIGGAR
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William Biggar began the 1902-03 season as Hammers' first choice goalkeeper following his transfer from Sheffield United on 5 May 1902, along with Blades’ teammate William Barnes. Biggar's record between the sticks was not an enviable one, letting in 22 goals in only 8 appearances.
His West Ham debut came against Reading in a 1-1 draw at the Memorial Grounds 6 September 1902. Lost his place from the side after only 3 matches to Welsh international Fred Griffiths, and although he regained it at the tail-end of the campaign. Joined Fulham for 1903-04 and then Watford 1904-05. Moved from Watford to Rochdale in 1910 where he won a Lancashire Combination medal in 1910-11.
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GEORGE ECCLES
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George Samuel Eccles was a sturdy defender, equally at home in either of the full-back berths. The former Everton man made consistency his by-word during his two seasons at the Memorial Grounds, missing only five Southern League outings in that period. Made the first of his 64 appearances for West Ham United against Reading in a 1-1 draw at the Memorial Grounds on the 6 September 1902.
Not even his proud record could not save him from the ruthless purge on the playing staff which saw only five players retained and a major influx of new faces to coincide with the clubs move to the Boelyn Ground in September 1904.
As a trainer with Bolton Wanderers, Eccles had a benefit match on 29 April 1921. The match Bolton versus Amateur International XI easily realised the guaranteed £500.
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JAMES DOW
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John Macdiarmid Dow was a well-built defender who could perform equally at either right or left-back. Dow was signed from Middlesbrough on 22 July in time for the start of the 1902-03 season, first choice in the squad for the start of the campaign he played in seven of the first nine games, making his initial Hammers debut in the 1-1 home draw with Reading on the 6 September 1902.
However he was in and out of the side for the remainder of the campaign and couldn't get past unlucky 13 in Southern League appearances when he was released. Before Middlesbrough, Dow had seen service with Newton Heath and Glossop North End. At the start of 1904-05 he was captain at Luton Town.
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TOMMY McATEER
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JOE BLYTHE
Born: 2 July 1876, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Signed: Everton
Date: 5 May 1902
Debut: 6 September 1902, Reading (H)
Last game: 20 April 1904, Swindon Town (H)
Appearances: 57
Goals: 0
Transferred: Millwall Athletic
Date: August 1904
Died: 13 May 1944, North Shields (aged 67)
In the formative years of English football, when muddy pitches and heavy leather balls tested the mettle of every player, Joe Blythe stood out as a model of consistency and grit. Born on 2 July 1876 in Berwick-upon-Tweed. Blythe carved out a career that spanned over a decade and left a lasting impression at clubs like Everton, West Ham United, and Millwall.
Joe was christened John Blyth, but later changed his surname to Blythe, he began his footballing journey with Spittal Rovers from whom he went to New Delaval United and Blyth Spartans, before moving to Jarrow in the late 1890s. As a result of his outstanding display for them in an F.A. Cup-tie against Everton he was transferred to the Merseyside club, who signed him in 1898, and made his Football League debut in February 1899 against Bolton Wanderers and quickly established himself as a reliable left half.
During three-and-a-half seasons, Blythe made 35 appearances, scoring once — a memorable goal in a 3–1 Merseyside derby victory over Liverpool in January 1900. Though he struggled to maintain a regular starting spot in later seasons, his time at Goodison Park laid the foundation for what would become a distinguished career.
Blythe joined West Ham United, then competing in the Southern League on 4 May 1902 during the close season. He debuted against Reading on 6 September 1902 at the Memorial Grounds and quickly became a fixture in the side. He missed just one game in his first season and made 57 appearances over two campaigns.
Strictly a defender, known for his stocky build (5ft 5in) and tenacious tackling, he combined his physicality with intelligence and although he never managed to get on the score-sheet, his aerial ability and positional sense made him a fan favourite during a period when the club was still forging its identity leading up to the move to the Boleyn Ground, but nevertheless proved to be a stubborn fixture in Irons' often beleaguered defence.
On 8 August 1904, Blythe crossed the River Thames to join Millwall Athletic, where he would enjoy the most prolific spell of his career. Over seven seasons, he amassed an astonishing 341 appearances, scoring three goals and helping the club to two Western League titles and a London Challenge Cup in 1909.
He wrapped up his playing days with a season at Watford in 1911/12, before returning to his roots as trainer and groundsman of Blyth Spartans in 1913, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Then followed a long spell of active service in France, but when official football resumed in 1919 he again took over his former role with Spartans, keeping up his connection with them till 1930 before being appointed caretaker of Crofton School where he stayed until retirement age.
Joe Blythe passed away in North Shields on 13 May 1944, aged 67, but his legacy lives on as a player who bridged the amateur and professional eras, Blythe exemplified the dedication and resilience of early footballers. His journey from the Northumberland grassroots to the heart of London’s football scene is a testament to his enduring talent and character.
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JOHN CAMPBELL
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JOHN FARRELL
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WILLIAM BARNES
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FREDERICK GRIFFITHS
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#45
SYDNEY SUGDEN
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#46
ALEXANDER DAVIDSON
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#47
WALTER MIECZNIKOWSKI
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HARRY PARKINSON
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ROBERT BUSH
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ROGER EVANS
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CHARLES COTTON
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ERNEST WATTS
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WILLIAM KIRBY
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HERBERT LYON
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WILLIAM INGHAM
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CHARLES SATTERTHWAITE
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#57 =
TOMMY ALLISON
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JAMES BUTCHART
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PERCY MAPLEY
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JACK HILSDON
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#61 =
WILLIAM BRIDGEMAN
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ARTHUR EARL
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#63
ALEXANDER BIRNIE
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#64
FREDERICK MERCER
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#65
ALEC THOMPSON
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#66
WILLIAM OAKES
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#67
WILLIAM CHURCH
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#68
LEN JARVIS
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Second Debut
CHARLES COTTON
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#69 =
MATTHEW KINGSLEY
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TOMMY BAMLETT
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DAVID GARDNER
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FRANK PIERCY
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JOHN RUSSELL
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WILLIAM McCARTNEY
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JACK FLETCHER
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CHARLES SIMMONS
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JACK FLYNN
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#78
CHRISTOPHER CARRICK
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#79
FRED MILNES
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#80 =
JOHN HAMILTON
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#80 =
JOHN BLACKWOOD
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#82
FRED BRUNTON
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#83
SYDNEY HAMMOND
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#84
GEORGE HILSDON
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#85
SIDNEY SMITH
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#86 =
GEORGE KITCHEN
Born: 6 May 1876, Fairfield, Derbyshire
Signed: 4 May 1905, Everton
Debut: 2 September 1905, Swindon Town (H)
Last game: 29 April 1911, Watford (H)
Appearances: 205
Goals: 6
Transferred: Southampton 1912
Died: 17 March 1937, Kingsclere, Southampton (aged 60)
George Kitchen was one of West Ham’s first-ever pioneering goalkeepers. Born 6 May 1876 in Fairfield, Derbyshire, as a youngster Kitchen was an outstanding sportsman at both golf and cricket and for a time worked as a coach at Dulwich College, but when the time came to pursue his chosen sporting profession he decided to concentrate on football and began his net-minding career with local side Buxton. In 1897 he joined non-league Stockport County, playing in the Lancashire League where he won a Manchester Cup Winners’ medal. After a season at the Heaton Norris Recreation Ground, he moved up to the Football League joining Everton as second-choice keeper in 1898. His debut came on 14 January 1899 but made only three first team appearances in as many seasons before cementing his first team place over the following three seasons.
Finding his place under threat when the Toffee’s signed two experienced 'keepers, Roose (Stoke) and Irish international Billy Scott (Linfield), followed by a year spent in the reserves, the goalie collected his share of a benefit and along with his fellow teammate Alex McCartney joined Southern League West Ham United on 4 May 1905.
Signed as a replacement for Matthew Kingsley, who had transferred to Queens Park Rangers, Kitchen marked his home debut with the only goal against Swindon Town on 2 September 1905. His 80th minute penalty ensured the campaign started off the season on a right note. The goalkeeper was often quite superb in an otherwise 'leaky' defence. Four penalty conversions in his first campaign became a major talking-point among fans, as had his equally successful efforts in keeping his own goal intact. The keeper sustained a knee injury in an FA Cup match at Newcastle United in February 1908, so severe was the injury it almost ended his career. He bounced back the following campaign to enjoy three more seasons between the sticks.
His services at the Boleyn Ground were recognised when he was given joint-share of the match receipts along with Fred Blackburn against Coventry City on 7 January 1911.
After making 205 appearances and scoring 6 penalty goals he transferred to Southampton in 1912, making 39 appearances for the Saints over two years before retiring from football to become a golf professional.
#86 =
ALEX McCARTNEY
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HARRY HINDLE
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WILLIAM FORD
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#86
CHARLES MACKIE
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#86
LIONEL WATSON
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FRED BLACKBURN
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#93 =
HERBERT WINTERHALDER
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#93 =
HENRY WILKINSON
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#95
ARTHUR FEATHERSTONE
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#96
JAMES JACKSON
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#97
HARRY STAPLEY
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Second Debut
WILLIAM GRASSAM
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#98
ARTHUR WINTERHALDER
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