West Ham United

1926-27

In a reversal of previous seasons, a good 3-0 win at Everton was followed by a 5-1 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers. In fact the team did not win a home game until 30 October, when Manchester United were beaten 4-0. Vic Watson was in good form, having scored nine goals in the first twelve games. There was a 5–1 home win against Aston Villa which brought a hat-trick from Watson, and the home form continued with wins over Burnley, Leeds and Birmingham City.

The FA Cup saw the Hammers once again drawn against Tottenham, but this time West Ham triumphed, winning 3-1 with another Watson hat-trick. The cup run did not last long, however, as Brentford knocked West Ham out in the next round in a replay. In February two of the top teams, Huddersfield and Sunderland, were both beaten 3-2, but this was followed up with a 4-1 defeat at Blackburn and a 2-1 home defeat to bottom club West Bromwich Albion.

There were only 11,764 spectators in the ground for the visit of London rivals Arsenal, but they were all in for a treat as the Hammers romped to a 7-0 victory. Vic Watson was again on target, grabbing another hat-trick, and the Arsenal defenders helped out with two own goals. The goals were flowing now with 15 being scored in the next four games. Both Sheffield United and Manchester United were beaten 3-0 and there was an exciting 4-4 home draw with Bolton Wanderers. Aston Villa were beaten 5-1 at Villa Park with a further two goals from Watson. Flying winger Jimmy Ruffell had been contributing to the goals and he scored his twelfth of the season in a fine 3-1 victory at Tottenham. Finishing the season in sixth place was an excellent achievement and was due to a settled side and the goalscoring of Vic Watson. Ever-present in the league were Jim Barrett, Stan Earle, Jimmy Collins and Vic Watson.

LEICESTER CITY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 3 (Earle, Ruffell, Watson) 28 August 1926 Att: 20,615

Hufton

Hebden

Earl

Bishop

Barrett

Collins

Yews

Earle

Watson

Moore

Ruffell

EVERTON : Football League First Division

Goodison Park 3 - 0 (Watson 2, Moore) 4 September 1926 Att: 26,957

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Hufton

Hebden

Barrett

Bishop

Carter

Collins

Yews

Earle

Watson

Moore

Ruffell

THE WEDNESDAY : Football League First Division

Hillsborough 0 - 1 6 September 1926 Att: 18,602

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Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Dowsey Earle Watson Moore Williams

JOHN DOWSEY makes his Hammers debut against SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY at Hillsborough

BLACKBURN ROVERS : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 5 (Watson) 11 September 1926 Att: 18,602

Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Payne Earle Gibbins Watson Moore

JOHN PAYNE makes his Hammers debut against BLACKBURN ROVERS at Upton Park

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN : Football League First Division

Leeds Road 1 - 2 (Watson) 18 September 1926 Att: 16,809

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Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

24 September

JOHN GREGORY (1951-1953) Born this day Shoreditch, London

John Ernest Gregory made a start in his soccer career at an early age, for when only eleven he played for Hackney Schoolboys. He later earned his County cap for Middlesex Boys, After leaving school he played practically no football until he was called-up in the East Surrey Regiment: but during his service in Palestine and Egypt he made his mark, and Hayes F.C. were quick to sign him when he returned to England. Gregory joined Bromley F.C. in December, 1950, remaining an amateur when he joined West Ham United for the 1950-51 season, but signed full professional forms on 12 August 1951. Made the first of his 24 League appearances against Birmingham City in a 1-2 defeat at St. Andrews on the 20 October 1951. Transferred to Scunthorpe United in June 1953 for £1,000 where he scored a lot of goals for the other "Irons," before moving on to Aldershot. He later became player-coach to St. Neots Town.

SUNDERLAND : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Yews) 25 September 1926 Att: 20,778

Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

KINGSTONIAN : London Challenge Cup (First Round)

Upton Park 5 - 0 (Earle 2, Gibbins 2, Carter) 27 September 1926 Att: ?

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Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Moore Earle Gibbins Watson Ruffell

WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Football League First Division

The Hawthornes 3 - 1 (Earle, Ruffell, Watson) 2 October 1926 Att: 18,256

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Hufton Hodgson Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Moore Earle Gibbins Watson Ruffell

THE WEDNESDAY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 1 (Earle) 4 October 1926 Att: 19,770

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Hufton Hodgson Barrett Yews Carter Collins Watson Earle Gibbins Moore Ruffell

BURY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Watson) 9 October 1926 Att: 18,541

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Hufton Hodgson Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

ARSENAL : Football League First Division

Highbury 2 - 2 (Gibbins, Watson) 16 October 1926 Att: 35,534

Hufton Hebden Hodgson Bishop Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

Image courtesy of Andrew Conway

20 October 1926

JAMES RUFFELL 2nd ENGLAND cap

Northern Ireland Home Championship at Liverpool 3-3

CLAPTON ORIENT : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)

Millfields 2 - 3 (Watson, Yews) 21 October 1926 Att: ?

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Hufton Hebden Barrett Bishop Carter Collins Moore Earle Gibbins Watson Ruffell

MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park 4 - 0 (Gibbins, Watson, Yews, Mann [og]) 30 October 1926 Att: 19,733

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

5 November 1926

SYD BISHOP joins LEICESTER CITY for £4,000

West Ham United Career (1920-1926) Appearances: 172, Goals: 10

BOLTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

Burnden Park 0 - 2 6 November 1926 Att: 13,934

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

ASTON VILLA : Football League First Division

Upton Park 5 - 1 (Watson 3, Earle, Yews) 13 November 1926 Att: 17,647

Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

CARDIFF CITY : Football League First Division

Ninian Park 2 - 1 (Watson, Yews) 20 November 1926 Att: 10,736

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

NEWCASTLE UNITED : Football League First Division

St James' Park 0 - 2 4 December 1926 Att: 35,079

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

LEEDS UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 2 (Gibbins, Ruffell, Watson) 11 December 1926 Att: 20,924

Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

LIVERPOOL : Football League First Division

Anfield 0 - 0 18 December 1926 Att: 24,563

Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

BIRMINGHAM : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 0 (Earle) 25 December 1926 Att: 27,984

Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

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BIRMINGHAM : Football League First Division

St Andrews 2 - 0 (Ruffell, Watson) 27 December 1926 Att: 39,204

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

DERBY COUNTY : Football League First Division

Baseball Ground 0 - 3 28 December 1926 Att: 21,888

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Hufton Hebden Hodgson Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

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