1926-27 Football League : First Division

DERBY COUNTY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Watson) 1 January 1927 Att: 20,882

SORRY NO IMAGE

Kane Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (FA Cup Third Round)

Upton Park 3 - 2 (Watson 3) 8 January 1927 Att: 44,147

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

8 January 1927

FRED KEARNS (1949-54) Born this day Cork, Republic of Ireland

It was not until he reached the age of 16 that Frederick Thomas Kearns turned his talents to soccer, for in his native Dublin he took part in the national sport of hurling. However, after four seasons as an amateur he signed professional for Shamrock Rovers, and proved that he was making a name for himself by being quickly selected to play for the Leinster League against Third Lanark, the Scottish League side who were touring Eire at that time. That game attracted the "scouts" to Fred's door, and the Hammers were fortunate in beating several clubs to his signature in May 1948 when he signed for £2,750. It was during his second season that Kearns made his West Ham United debut in the 1-1 draw with Chesterfield at the Boleyn on the 8 October 1949 after Steve Forde had sustained a cut eye on the previous Saturday that kept him out of the side. A confident debut, sufficient to earn him seven subsequent First XI games during that season. The likeable Irishman served the Hammers in two positions - the full-back was converted to the centre-forward position during the 1950-51 season and found brief fame and international recognition when switched to the forward berth. His unexpected success earned him a full cap for Eire v. Luxembourg in 1954. In June 1954 he transferred to Norwich City making 28 league appearances and scored 11 goals. He later joined non-league sides Tonbridge, Margate and Deal Town.

LEICESTER CITY : Football League First Division

Filbert Street 0 - 3 15 January 1927 Att: 21,861

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

EVERTON : Football League First Division

Upton Park 2 - 1 (Moore, Watson) 22 January 1927 Att: 11,235

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

BRENTFORD : FA Cup (Fourth Round)

Upton Park 1 - 1 (Ruffell) 29 January 1927 Att: 40,000

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Ruffell

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

1 February 1927

JIMMY ANDREWS (1951-1955) Born this day Invergordon, Scotland

A Scottish left-winger Jimmy was signed from Dundee F.C. for £4,750 on 19 November 1951 quite a substantial fee in those days! Made his Hammers debut in the 3-3 draw against Everton at Upton Park on the 24 November 1951. Jimmy proved to be a worthwhile investment, giving the club great service before leaving for near-neighbours Leyton Orient in June 1956 for a fee of £1,500. After winding up his playing career at Queens Park Rangers he went on to gain a fine reputation as a coach and later managed Cardiff City after another ex-Hammer - Frank O'Farrell - vacated the post.

BRENTFORD : FA Cup (Fourth Round Replay)

Griffin Park 0 - 2 2 February 1927 Att: 25,000

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Campbell Watson Ruffell

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 2 (Johnson, Watson, Yews) 5 February 1927 Att: 19,087

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

JOSEPH JOHNSON makes his Hammers debut against HUDDERSFIELD TOWN at Upton Park

SUNDERLAND : Football League First Division

Roker Park 3 - 2 (Earle, Watson, Yews) 12 February 1927 Att: 17,088

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Moore Johnson

BLACKBURN ROVERS : Football League First Division

Ewood Park 1 - 4 (Yews) 14 February 1927 Att: 10,443

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Carter Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

14 February 1927

BILLY DARE (1955-1959) Born this day Willesden, London

William Thomas Dare was a well known amateur with Hendon where he gained his Middlesex cap; also represented F.A. XI v. Combined Universities, later played as amateur for Arsenal and Brentford, as well as having a trial for Luton Town. Signed pro for Brentford with whom he spent six seasons before transferring to Hammers for £5,000 on 27 January 1955 to give extra strike power. This popular forward made a major contribution to Hammers' Second Division triumph of 1958 where he made a perfect foil for his more robust scoring partners, Johnny Dick and Vic Keeble. Made his League debut along with Geoff Hallas in the 2-1 victory over Leeds United at Upton Park on the 5 March 1955. Unfortunately he was in the veteran stage when the club re-entered the First Division, and made only two appearances in the higher sphere. Joined Southern League Viewsley where he came under the managership of Bill Dodgin (Snr) and later the great Jackie Milburn.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Watson) 19 February 1927 Att: 18,231

Hufton Hebden Horler Hull Barrett Collins Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

ARCHIE HULL makes his Hammers debut against WEST BROMWICH ALBION at Upton Park

BURY : Football League First Division

Gigg Lane 2 - 1 (Johnson, Yews) 26 February 1927 Att: 13,509

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Moore Johnson

ARSENAL : Football League First Division

Upton Park 7 - 0 (Watson 3, Johnson, Ruffell, John [og], Parker [og]) 7 March 1927 Att: 11,764

Baillie Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

In a re-arranged fixture, the Arsenal came to Upton Park having won through to the F.A. Cup semi-finals the previous week. A crowd of 11,764 had hardly settled themselves before the Hammers' took the lead in the second minute. Jimmy Ruffell rescued the ball from going over the bye-line, he passed to Joe Johnson who centred and, as the Arsenal 'keeper Dan Lewis came out to collect Vic Watson, the Hammers' centre-forward, nipped in and netted via the outside of his right foot, flicking the ball home.

A quarter-of-an-hour later, Watson got the ball in the inside right position. As there was no one to pass to he tried a speculative screw-shot towards goal. The Gunners' right back Tom Parker endeavoured to trap the ball but only succeeded in diverting it past his ' keeper. The third goal came following a Ruffell corner which centre-half Butler could only clear as far as the Hammers' international winger who, on receiving the ball back, promptly shot at goal. Lewis failed to hold the fierce drive and Watson was on hand once again to net the rebound.

The 6 feet tall Watson who was to score a remarkable total of 34 League goals that season in 42 appearances had a hand in the fourth goal just before half-time. Surprising the Arsenal left-back Bob John with a sudden turn, Vic shot and the Gunners' player deflected the ball off his legs past the helplessly stranded Lewis.

The match had been played at a furious pace with the Hammers' playing the better football on a "sloshy" surface. Soon after the start of the second half, Johnson who had only been signed that season following spells with Crystal Palace and Barnsley. made it 5-0. Slipping the ball between two opponents. he then wriggled through the gap himself and shot home.

The pitch was becoming heavier by the minute but this did not stop the elegant yet powerful Watson completing his hat-trick. Following a perfect pass from Ruffell, the Cambridgeshire born Hammers' leading scorer netted the sixth goal of the game with what one reporter of the match described as a "calm, judicious kick" of the ball.

With almost the last kick of the match, Jimmy Ruffell got in another of his fierce strikes on goal. Although Lewis managed to get his fingers to the shot, the ball was travelling at such a pace that his hands were knocked backwards and the ball continued to its objective.

7 March 1927

ARNOLD HILLS founder of Thames Iron Works, passed away this day

Hammerfield, Penshurst, Kent (aged 69)

In the summer of 1895 Hills, along with works foreman Dave Taylor, helped found Thames Ironworks F.C., who later became West Ham United. Hills believed that his own local community should have its own football team and financially supported the football club until April 1900, when after increasing disagreements with West Ham's board members over the pursuit of 'professionalism', he broke formal ties with the club and the Thames Ironworks.

Hills proposed a West Ham as a limited company and became the major shareholder, and encouraged business associates, family and his workman to invest, promising to buy one share for every one sold to the public. He rented the Memorial Grounds to the club at very favourable terms. Hills told the new directors he would not interfere in the running of the club and was true to his word and despite being by far the largest single shareholder never attended an AGM, ask to address a meeting or present any demands or suggestions.

The failing fortunes of the ironworks and his involvement in developing a new car engine pushed the club into the background and he became a virtual invalid suffering from arthritis. He died in 1927 aged 69, and was buried at St Luke's Church in Penshurt.

SHEFFIELD UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 0 (Earle 2, Watson) 12 March 1927 Att: 19,520

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

PHOTOCOPY

Can You Help with a better scan?

MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League First Division

Old Trafford 3 - 0 (Watson 2, Yews) 19 March 1927 Att: 18,347

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Johnson

BOLTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

Upton Park 4 - 4 (Ruffell 2, Earle, Watson) 26 March 1927 Att: 17,752

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson JohnsonRuffell

ASTON VILLA : Football League First Division

Villa Park 5 - 1 (Watson 2, Earle, Johnson, Ruffell) 2 April 1927 Att: 22,413

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

Image courtesy of Andrew Conway

CARDIFF CITY : Football League First Division

Upton Park 2 - 2 (Earle, Watson) 9 April 1927 Att: 14,777

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

Image courtesy of Andrew Conway

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League First Division

White Hart Lane 3 -1 (Ruffell 2, Earle) 15 April 1927 Att: 42,010

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Gibbins Ruffell

Image courtesy of Andrew Conway

BURNLEY : Football League First Division

Turf Moor 1 - 2 (Watson) 16 April 1927 Att: 20,333

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Earle) 18 April 1927 Att: 21,354

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

NEWCASTLE UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 1 (Ruffell) 23 April 1927 Att: 29,722

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

LEEDS UNITED : Football League First Division

Elland Road 3 - 6 (Watson 2, Johnson) 30 April 1927 Att: 10,997

SORRY NO IMAGE

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

5 May 1927

JAMES LOUGHLIN, HARROLD SMITH and GEORGE ROBSON sign from NEWCASTLE UNITED

LIVERPOOL : Football League First Division

Upton Park 3 - 3 (Barrett, Collins, Johnson) 7 May 1927 Att: 10,225

Hufton Hebden Horler Collins Barrett Cadwell Yews Earle Watson Johnson Ruffell

16 June 1927

MATTHEW SMAILES signs from BLACKBURN ROVERS

1925-26 First XI Season 1926-27 1927-28 First XI