WEST HAM UNITED
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
A Pictorial History
Syd King
#99 =
WILLIAM WILDMAN
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DAVID LINDSAY
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JAMES BLYTH
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FRED KEMP
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WILLIAM TAYLOR
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GEORGE HORN
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STANLEY BOURNE
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DAVID CLARK
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#107
DAN WOODARDS
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#108
TOMMY RANDALL
Born: 25 March 1885, Barking, London
Signed: Barking
Date: 20 December 1905
Debut: 27 April 1907, Fulham (H)
Last game: 5 December 1914, Plymouth Argyle (H)
Appearances: 205
Goals: 10
International: Inter-League (5 caps)
Retired: Summer 1915
Died: 17 November 1946, Tottenham, London (aged 61)
Thomas Samuel Randall spent his formative years in local junior soccer with Ethelburga's and Barking St Andrews; later graduating to Barking in the South Essex League, a proving ground for many aspiring players in the early 20th century. It was with his hometown club that he was selected for a county match for Essex against Suffolk in which his performance earned him a trial at Upton Park.
Randall’s first know appearance for the Irons came for the Reserves in their Southern League Division Two match at Upton Park against Fulham 25 November 1905, and signed professional forms on 20 December 1905.
Initially deployed as an inside-forward, Randall’s style—methodical and deliberate—did not immediately endear him to the Upton Park faithful. And athough manager, Syd King was impressed with his overall contribution, his slow pace and thoughtful approach led to the unflattering nickname “Old Mother Randall,” a reflection of the crowd’s impatience rather than his footballing intelligence almost drove him out of the game.
As a personal favour to West Ham trainer Charlie Paynter, Randall’s fortunes changed when he was repositioned to left-half, in his benefit match against Woolwich Arsenal on 12 November 1906, a role that better suited his strengths. From there, he flourished, developing into one of the most reliable defenders in the Southern League and signed as a full pro for the princely sum of 30 shillings a week.
Randall moved up to make his senior first team debut in the concluding home Southern League fixture, deputising for the sick William Grassam against champions Fulham, he scored a debut goal to help a ten-man Hammers team complete a remarkable double over the Cottagers by 4-1 on the 27 April 1907.
Infrequent appearances followed in 1907/08 and by November 1908 he had made only 12 first team appearances. He returned for a game at Northampton and, despite Hammers losing 6-0, retained his place. His reading of the game and leadership qualities became increasingly evident, and by the start of the 1911/12 season, he had succeeded Frank Piercy as captain of West Ham United. His reputation extended beyond club football; in 1912, he was selected to captain the Southern League representative side in matches against the Football League, Scottish League, and Irish League - an honour that underscored his standing among his peers.
A serious knee injury restricted him to only five appearances in 1914/15, his last game was a 2-0 win at home to Plymouth Argyle on 5 December 1914, and at the end of the season he retired from the game.
Over the course of his West Ham career, Randall made 189 league appearances and scored nine goals, a respectable tally for a player whose primary duties lay in defence. He passed away in Tottenham on 17 November 1946, aged 61. His tenure coincided with a formative period in the club’s history, and his steady presence helped shape the team’s identity during those pre-war years.
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ARCHIE TAYLOR
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ROBERT YOUNG
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JAMES GAULT
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WILLIAM BROWN
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THOMAS LEE
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ALFRED HARWOOD
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DANNY SHEA
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ROBERTSON
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JAMES FROST
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HERBERT ASHTON
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JAMES DYER
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JACK FOSTER
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JOHN BURTON
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Second Debut
WILLIAM YENSON
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DAVID WAGGOTT
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PATRICK TIRRELL
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HENRY EASTWOOD
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WALTER MILLER
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FREDERICK SHREEVE
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GEORGE CHALKLEY
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CHARLES DAWSON
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FRANK COSTELLO
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C. ATKINS
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GEORGE WEBB
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ROBERT FAIRMAN
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ROBERT WHITEMAN
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VINCENT HAYNES
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THOMAS CALDWELL
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WILLIAM LAVERY
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EDWARD WAGSTAFF
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FREDERICK MASSEY
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#139 =
JOHN GEGGUS
Born: 26 November 1889, West Ham, London
Signed: Custom House
Date: 7 October 1909
Debut: 1 January 1910, New Brompton (H)
Last game: 27 April 1912, Coventry City (A)
Appearances: 31
Goals: 0
Transferred: Gravesend United
Date: Summer 1912
Died: 2 December 1951, Greenwich, London (aged 62)
John Geggus, better known to supporters and teammates as Jack, was a product of East London footballing culture in the early years of the twentieth century. Born and raised in West Ham, he attended Agate Road School before making his first steps into the game with local side Custom House.
His performances there caught the eye of West Ham United, who signed him on 7 October 1909, bringing the young goalkeeper into the professional ranks at the Boleyn Ground. Jack’s debut came in memorable circumstances. On New Year’s Day 1910, he was handed the gloves for a Southern League fixture against New Brompton, a match that also marked the debut of forward Frank Cannon. The game ended in a 2–2 draw, and for Geggus it was the beginning of a run that would see him make 31 league appearances for the Hammers. Though not always the most celebrated of custodians, he was a familiar figure between the posts during those formative years of the club’s Southern League campaigns.
His time at West Ham was not without drama. In April 1912, during a match at Leyton, Geggus reacted to disparaging remarks from his own supporters by walking off the pitch in protest. Although he was coaxed back into action, the incident overshadowed the game, which ended in a 3–1 defeat. The episode proved significant, as he was replaced by Joe Hughes for the following fixture and would make only one further appearance for the first team - a 2–0 loss away to Coventry on the final day of the 1911/12 season. That match effectively closed the chapter on his West Ham career.
After leaving the Hammers, Geggus continued his footballing journey with Gravesend United, where he sought to rebuild his reputation and extend his playing days. While his time at Gravesend did not bring the same spotlight as his tenure in East London, it reflected the path of many early professionals who moved through the ranks of Southern League and regional clubs, sustaining the game at its grassroots level.
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FRANK CANNON
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GEORGE BUTCHER
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WILLIAM SILOR
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ALBERT SCANES
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FRANK CURTIS
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