John Morton

JOHN 'Jackie' MORTON

The first of Hammers' many successful signings from Midland League Gainsborough Trinity. John Morton became a professional at the age of 17 and made his Hammers debut against Arsenal at Upton Park in a 1-1 draw on the 26 March 1932. Went on to win international recognition when he partnered club-mate Len Goulden on England's left-wing against Czechoslovakia at White Hart Lane in 1937. Scored an international debut goal in the 5-4 victory.

John would have surely won more caps but for an untimely injury which resulted in Arsenal's Cliff Bastin taking his place. Although only a handful of his total appearances were in the First Division - during the ill-fated 1931-32 season - the speedy Yorkshireman became an automatic choice throughout the thirties up to the outbreak of WW2. In 1935 John had the honour of being chosen to play for England in two “unofficial games”, the first against an Anglo-Scots XI at Arsenal’s Highbury Stadium, the second opposing Scotland at Hampden Park, Glasgow in that year's King George’s Jubilee Trust matches, but overall could count himself unlucky not to have won more recognition.

Born: 26 July 1914, Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

West Ham United Career: 1931-1939

West Ham United Appearances: 275

West Ham United Goals: 57

International: England (1 cap), Inter-League (3 caps)

Died: 8 March 1986 (aged 71)

COMBINADO del PACIFICO

West Ham United v. Peru-Chile XI

Upton Park

16 October 1933

Souvenir Flag presented to

John Morton

Link to tour article

While promotion to Division One was the priority following a disappointing 20th-place finish in 1932-33, West Ham took time out from league action for a very special challenge match played at the Boleyn Ground on October 16, 1933.

A team called "Combinado del Pacífico" toured Europe from September 1933 to February 1934.

Image courtesy of Jay Morton

West Ham United 2 - 2 Peru-Chile XI

West Ham United:

Jack Rutherford, Alfred Chalkley, Albert Walker, Edward Anderson, Jim Barrett, Joe Cockroft, Jimmy Wood, Jack Landells, Vic Watson, Tommy Tippett, Jackie Morton

Peru-Chile XI:

Juan Valdivieso, Arturo Fernandez, Antonio Maquilon, Eduardo Astengo, Vicente Arce, Alberto Denegri, Roberto Luco, Eduardo Schneeberg, Alejandro Villanueva, Lolo Fernandez, Mario Pacheco

Referee: Mr F Ratcliffe

Cominado del Pacifico

KING GEORGE'S JUBILEE TRUST

On May 6, 1935 the nation and the Empire celebrated the 25th anniversary – the Silver Jubilee – of King George V’s accession to the throne. Throughout the country there were staged events over the year to raise money for the ‘Jubilee Trust’ in aid of voluntary youth organisations.

England v. Anglo-Scots

Highbury Stadium, London

8 May 1935

0 - 1

Scotland v. England

Hampden Park, Glasgow

21 August 1935

4 - 2

Statuette

Rose Bowl

ENGLAND INTERNATIONAL

England v. Czechoslovakia

White Hart Lane

1 December 1937

5 - 4

Seven minutes from the end, England were fighting desperately to avoid defeat. The Czechs had drawn level at four all and they were launching raid after raid against a defence which had very definitely cracked.

Then, streaking through the heavy winter twilight could be seen a white-shirted figure swerving here, side-stepping there, now to the left, now to the right. The yells of the crowd, as the "spectre" still went on, gathered into a tremendous roar.

England's last desperate chance to retain her unbeaten record against the Continentals. Could they do it? :Matthews streaked on towards the penalty area, swerved past Daucik, and drove the ball hard and low into the net well out of the reach of the Czech goalkeeper. England had won the most exciting international seen in this country for many a long day.