West Ham United

1924-25

The fixture-schedule system was changed from this season onwards, thus avoiding the "home - and - away" sequence of matches between the same two clubs on successive Saturdays.

To add some firepower to the Hammers attack inside-forward Stan Earle was bought from Arsenal. There was only one defeat in the first eight games and Earle scored the goals in 1-0 victories against Blackburn and Arsenal. However, only one win followed in a further nine games, culminating in a 5-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers. In December Sunderland were beaten 4-1 at home, with Billy Moore scoring twice against his old club. Vic Watson also scored two goals in that game, which started him on an amazing run where he scored in ten successive league games, a club record that still stands.

London rivals Arsenal were the visitors at home in the FA Cup, and after a goalless first game the teams also drew 2-2 in the replay. The second replay took place at Stamford Bridge and a single goal from George Kay put the Hammers through. Round two saw West Ham win 2-0 away to Nottingham Forest to set up a home tie with Second Division Blackpool, but after a 1-1 draw at the Boleyn the Hammers crashed 3-0 in the replay.

A few days later West Ham found themselves losing 5-1 at half-time at Burnley. In a remarkable comeback, goals from Jennings, Moore and Watson gave the Hammers hope, but Burnley held out to win 5-4. In March London neighbours Arsenal were beaten 2-1 away followed by a 1-1 draw at Tottenham. There was a good ending to the season as in successive home games Sheffield United were beaten 6-2 followed by a 4-1 win against Everton. Only two games were lost at home but with only three away wins the team finished in 13th place, the same as the previous campaign.

Essex County Chronicle

29 August 1924

PRESTON NORTH END : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 0 (Jennings) 30 August 1924 Att: 25,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Jennings Ruffell

STANLEY EARLE and SAMUEL JENNINGS both make their Hammers debut against PRESTON NORTH END at Upton Park

BLACKBURN ROVERS : Football League First Division

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Ewood Park 1 - 0 (Earle) 6 September 1924 Att: 25,000

Hampson Henderson Young Tresadern Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Jennings Ruffell

NEWCASTLE UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park 0 - 0 8 September 1924 Att: 20,000

Hampson Henderson Young Tresadern Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Gibbins Watso nRuffell

10 September 1924

RON WILSON (1946-1947) Born this day Sale, Cheshire

Former pupil and school’s captain of Pettits Lane played his early soccer with Ford’s Sports from where the 20-year-old was spotted by West Ham scouts and invited for trails. The centre-half made his intial appearance on 10 April 1944 against Clapton Orient in the war-time Football League South fixture at Upton Park. Signed professional forms for the Hammers on his 20th Birthday. A useful player who could fill any of the defensive duties, but was most at home at wing-half. Made his debut in the troubled 1946-47 season, which saw the resumption of normal League matches for the first time since 1938-39 and Hammers fighting off the threat of relegation to the Third Division (South). Made his Hammers debut along with Ernie Gregory against Plymouth Argyle in a 4-1 victory at Upton Park on the 28 December 1946. Managed two further appearances in 1947-48 season, although he was retained for the following season, Ron did not appear for the First XI again. A keen photographer, Ron was recognised as the club's unofficial 'snapper' the short time he was at Upton Park. Afterwards coached Hornchurch and Upminster, Aveley and Barking.

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN : Football League First Division

Upton Park 0 - 0 13 September 1924 Att: 30,000

Hampson Henderson Young Tresadern Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Jennings Ruffell

NEWCASTLE UNITED : Football League First Division

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St James' Park 1 - 4 (Watson) 17 September 1924 Att: 25,000

Hampson Henderson Young Tresadern Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Jennings Ruffell

ASTON VILLA : Football League First Division

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Villa Park 1 - 1 (Watson) 20 September 1924 Att: 30,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

SHEFFIELD UNITED : Football League First Division

Bramall Lane 1 - 1 (Watson) 22 September 1924 Att: 10,000

Hampson Henderson Horler Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

ARSENAL : Football League First Division

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Upton Park 1 - 0 (Earle) 27 September 1924 Att: 35,000

Hampson Henderson Horler Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

MANCHESTER CITY : Football League First Division

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Maine Road 1 - 3 (Cookson [og]) 4 October 1924 Att: 45,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

BURY : Football League First Division

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Upton Park 1 - 1 (Young) 11 October 1924 Att: 15,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Edwards Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

PETER COWPER makes his Hammers debut against BURY at Upton Park

NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football League First Division

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City Ground 1 - 2 (Jennings) 18 October 1924 Att: 18,000

Kaine Henderson Young Carter Kay Bishop Cowper Jennings Watson Moore Ruffell

WILLIAM KAINE makes his Hammers debut against NOTTINGHAM FOREST at the City Ground

CLAPTON : London Challenge Cup (First Round)

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Upton Park 4 - 0 (Campbell 3, Moore) 23 October 1924 Att: ?

Kaine Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Cowper Earle Campbell Moore Ruffell

BURNLEY : Football League First Division

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Upton Park 2 - 0 (Moore, Ruffell) 25 October 1924 Att: 18,000

Kaine Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Watson Campbell Moore Ruffell

30 October 1924

JACK TRESADERN joins BURNLEY

West Ham United Career: (1913-1924), Appearances: 166, Goals: 5

International: England (2 caps), Individual honours: FA Cup runners-up (1923)

LEEDS UNITED : Football League First Division

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Elland Road 1 - 2 (Watson) 1 November 1924 Att: 14,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Watson Campbell Moore Ruffell

BIRMINGHAM CITY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 0 - 1 8 November 1924 Att: 30,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Watson Campbell Moore Ruffell

8 November 1924

DANNY McGOWAN (1948-1954) Born this day Dublin, Eire

Skilful Eire international inside-forward, who converted to wing-half when competition for the inside-berths increased. Daniel McGowan signed from League of Ireland club Shelbourne, after being recommended by their manager and pre-war Hammer, Charlie Turner. Danny arrived at Upton Park at the same time as two of his fellow countrymen, Johnny Carroll and Fred Kearns. Made his Hammers debut in the opening fixture of the 1948-49 campaign against Luton Town in a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on the 21 August 1948. Completed six seasons at the Boleyn until his transfer to Southern League Chelmsford City in 1954. Three Eire caps in 1949.

ARSENAL : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)

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Upton Park 4 - 1 (Earle, Moore, Watson, Young) 10 November 1924 Att:

Hampson Henderson Young Cater Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Football League First Division

The Hawthorns 1 - 4 (Watson) 15 November 1924 Att: 16,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 1 (Watson) 22 November 1924 Att: 28,000

Hampson Henderson Hebden Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : London Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)

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Stamford Bridge 1 - 1 (Kay) 24 November 1924 Att:

Hampson Henderson Hebden Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

BOLTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

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Burnden Park 0 - 5 29 November 1924 Att: 25,977

Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Jennings Ruffel

NOTTS COUNTY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 0 (Williams 2, Watson) 6 December 1924 Att: 18,000

Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Jennings Ruffell

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : London Challenge Cup (Semi-Final Replay)

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Millfields Road,Clapton 3 - 0 (Watson 3) 8 December 1924 Att:

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Jennings Watson Williams Ruffell

9 December 1924

VIC NIBLETT (1950-51) Born this day Frimley

Niblett arrived at the Boleyn from Reading as part of a player exchange deal which saw Ken Bainbridge going the other way. Vic made his Hammers debut along with Tommy Southren, Frank O'Farrell and Bill Nelson in the Essex Professional Cup against Colchester United in a 2-1 victory at Upton Park on the 28 September 1950. Never managed a League game for the Hammers and was subsequently transferred to Gillingham in August 1951.

EVERTON : Football League First Division

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Goodison Park 0 - 1 13 December 1924 Att: 15,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Jennings Watson Williams Ruffell

CLAPTON ORIENT : London Challenge Cup (Final)

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White Hart Lane 2 - 1 (Thompson, Watson) 15 December 1924 Att:

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Carter Cadwell Yews Moore Watson Williams Thompson

SUNDERLAND : Football League First Division

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Upton Park 4 - 1 (Moore 2, Watson 2) 20 December 1924 Att: 20,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Moore Watson Williams Ruffell

CARDIFF CITY : Football League First Division

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Upton Park 3 - 2 (Kay, Moore, Watson) 25 December 1924 Att: 27,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Moore Watson Williams Ruffell

CARDIFF CITY : Football League First Division

Image courtesy of Andrew Conway

Ninian Park 1 - 2 (Watson) 26 December 1924 Att: 30,000

Hampson Henderson Young Bishop Kay Cadwell Yews Moore Watson Williams Ruffell

PRESTON NORTH END : Football League First Division

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Deepdale 2 - 3 (Watson, Williams) 27 December 1924 Att: 15,000

Hampson Henderson Young Carter Kay Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Williams Ruffell

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