1927-28 Friendlies

FIRST PRACTICE MATCH :

Reds v. Blues

SORRRY NO IMAGE

Upton Park

2 - 2

13 August 1927

SECOND PRACTICE MATCH :

Reds v. Blues

Upton Park

9 - 1

20 August 1927

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

HORNCHURCH (Upminster Wanderers) : 'A' Friendly

Recreation Park, Upminster 3 - 1 (Collins, Payne, Wilson) 8 September 1927

Rawlings, Henderson, Smith W., Wilkins, Barry, Johnson, James, Heyes, Collins, Wilson, Payne

The clubs history dates back to 1923 when the team were formed as Upminster Wanderers. The home ground was the local recreation park in Upminster. In 1953 they moved to the Delphian League and also moved into new premises and still their current home, Hornchurch Stadium at Bridge Avenue Upminster. The club changed their name in that same year to Hornchurch & Upminster. In 1961 the club again changed its name to Hornchurch Football Club.

NORWICH CITY : Joe Hannah Testimonial

The Nest (? - ?) 22 September 1927

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

MARGATE : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park 3 - 0 29 September 1927

MILLWALL : London Professional Charity Cup Final

Upton Park 1 - 5 (Loughlin) 10 October 1927

FOLKESTONE : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park 3 - 2 20 October 1927

LOMBARDIAN : Reserve Friendly

Away 12 - 3 27 Octoberr 1927

ALDERSHOT : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park ? - ? 3 November 1927

MARGATE : Reserve Friendly

Away 3 - 4 5 November 1927

DARTFORD : Reserve Friendly

Away 2 - 3 19 November 1927

DARTFORD : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park 7 - 0 21 November 1927

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Charity Match

White Hart Lane 1 - 1 (Watson) 5 December 1927

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

ALDERSHOT : Reserve Friendly

Away 3 - 5 12 December 1927

NORWICH CITY : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park 3 - 2 7 January 1928

WALTHAMSTOW GRANGE : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park 7 - 3 (Whitehead 3, Payne 2, Carter, Smith H.) 28 January 1928

SWINDON TOWN : Reserve Friendly

Away 7 - 3 (Smith H. 3, Loughlin 2, Johnson, Payne) 25 February 1928

GUILDFORD : Reserve Friendly

Away 1 - 2 29 February 1928

BOURNEMOUTH : Reserve Friendly

Dean Court ? - ? 6 April 1928

BOURNEMOUTH : Reserve Friendly

Upton Park ? - ? 9 April 1928

BRADFORD PARK AVENUUE : George Turnbull Benefit

Park Avenue 3 - 1 (Barrett 2, Loughlin) 25 April 1928

SORRY NO IMAGE

THE LEEDS MERCURY

West Ham United Club Tour in Germany 1928

Recorded by Mr A.C. DAVIS (Director)

The popularity of West Ham United among foreign football clubs was again demonstrated this season, as invitations were received asking us to visit Brazil, Uruguay, United States, Rumania, Austria, Sweden and Germany; but as the German tour included visits to Berlin and Munich we decided to accept the invitation of the "Hertha” Berlin Sport Club and visit the German cities. Very soon after our acceptance reached Berlin, the news was broadcast from the German wireless stations and was picked up by the British "Tommies" at Wiesbaden, who at once sent to London asking the Hammers not to forget the boys, and arrangements were gladly made by the West Ham Directors to enable a game to be played with the Rhine army team at Wiesbaden, and we hear that the whole garrison is keenly anticipating the visit. Our party which left Liverpool Street by the Continental Boat Train at 8.30 p.m. on Monday, May 7th, included : — E. Hufton, T. Hodgson, A. Earl, C. Norrington, A. Cadwell, C. Cox, J. Collins, J. Barrett, M. Smailes, T. Yews, S. Earle, G. Robson, J. Loughlin, W. Moore, J. Ruffell, J. Payne, C. Paynter, W. F. White, G. F. Davis, L. Johnson, W. J. Cearns, F. R. Pratt, E. S. King and A. C. Davis.

Arriving at Harwich just before ten p.m., we were soon on board the S.S. St. Denis, and very quickly most of the party were in bed. The Hook of Holland was reached at 5.45 a.m., and after the usual Customs formalities had been complied with we settled down in the train for a six hours' journey to Cologne where we arrived at noon.

image courtesy Colchester & Ipswich Museum Serveice - Colchester Collection

TUESDAY MAY 8th

Our original programme was to have opened in Cologne, but owing to internal trouble the local association refused permission for the match to be played after the game had been sanctioned by the German Football Union. New arrangements were therefore made and the first match was given to Frankfort on Main. Detraining at Cologne we found representatives of the Rhine Army F.A. waiting to give us a welcome, and the whole party proceeded to the Hotel Dirch for lunch. Leaving Cologne about 1.45 p.m. by motor coach for Coblenz, we proceeded via Bonn to Newenahr and Altenaha, where a stop was made for tea, then on through the Ahr valley with its vine covered hills and beautiful scenery to Weissehaum, where we again saw the Rhine. Coblenz was reached just before 6 p.m. Leaving by the 6.18 p.m. train, on which dinner was served, we were at Frankfort on Main by 8.40, and found the officials of the football clubs waiting to welcome our party. After a wash at the Hotel Royal, where an old East Ham resident, Harry Reinhardt is manager, we were entertained at Schumann's Theatres.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9th.

Frankfort on Main, with 500,000 inhabitants, is the city where German Emperors were elected and crowned in bygone days. The town is in an exceptionally fine position at the convergence of Europe's main natural highways. It enjoys the further advantage of having in its immediate neighbourhood a number of world famed Spas and health resorts. Without exaggeration it may be said that few towns in Europe or elsewhere provide for intellectual and artistic life as Frankfort does. In 1848, the first German Parliament assembled here, and up to 1866 Frankfort guarded its proud privilege as a "Free Imperial City," and it is its coveted privilege to be the birth place of Goethe and the Rothschilds. To-day it justly claims to be foremost in provision of sports grounds, and we were all amazed this morning when we were taken out to the new Stadium on a visit of inspection to what is the finest Sports Park in the world. The aerial view of this wonderful place on the next page gives little idea of the magnitude of the undertaking. Built at a cost of £300,000, it is larger than Wembley exhibition, and comprises a Stadium, four other football grounds, an up-to-date cycle track, two open air swimming baths, tennis courts, and an open air theatre, all being built with modern grand stands and terracing. The City Council of Frankfort are to be congratulated on solving an unemployment problem, as this great enterprise was carried out as a relief scheme and the result is the conversion of virgin forest land into the finest sports arena ever yet laid out. Our first game of the tour was versus ''Eintract" F.C., and we arrived at the ground at 5.30 p.m., where a crowd of 10.000 were watching a junior game which was being played previous to the big match. The weather was unsettled and no doubt affected the attendance. The kick off was at 6.30, and our side lined up as follows: — Hufton, Earl, Norrington, Smailes, Barrett, Cadwell, Yews, Earle, Loughlin, Moore, Ruffell. The game was keenly followed by the crowd which included a considerable number from Wiesbaden, and the German side played vigorous and fast football, but the game resulted in a win for the Hammers 2-1, the goals being scored by Loughlin and Earle. Several flat events were run off before our match started and we saw Doctor Wichmann break the German 200 metres record, doing 244 seconds against 26 3/5ths seconds. After the game both teams and officials sat down to dinner in the Stadium Restaurant, during which the President of the Frankfort Club presented a bronze statuette to the West Ham Club in commemoration of their visit.

EINTRACT (Germany)

Frankfort-On-Main

2 - 1 (Loughlin, Earle)

9 May 1928

Hufton

Earl

Norrington

Smailes

Barrett

Cadwell

Yews

Earle

Loughlin

Moore

Ruffell

A little Fraulein presents Stanley Earle with a bouquet

Aerial View of the New Frankfort-On-Main Stadiums comprising five football grounds, Cycle Track, Running Track, two Open-Air Swimming Baths, Open and Covered Tennis Courts and Open-Air Theatres

THURSDAY MAY 10th.

The morning was spent in the Old Town and with visits to the Cathedral Collegiate Church and Historical Museum.

At 2 p.m. we left Frankfort by motor for Wiesbaden where we arrived after an interesting drive at 3.30 p.m. The Rhine Army Football Association had arranged for the party to stay at the Taunus Hotel, and rooms being allocated, we were soon being shewn round the town. Returning to the Hotel, dinner was served and at 8 p.m. we went to the Palast Theatre to see a Revue.

FRIDAY MAY 11th.

Wiesbaden, the renowned Spa, lies in a beautiful sheltered valley close to the Taunus Hills. Innumerable visitors come from all parts of the world to this famous health resort, and it is not surprising for quite irrespective of its cures it is without doubt a splendid place to spend a holiday. The streets are handsome, being bordered by trees and the lovely surroundings provide scope for varied tours. The unsurpassed facilities for exploring the manifold beauties of the district are such that the Rivers Rhine, Neckar and Main, the Taunus Hills, Odenwald, and the Black Forest can be reached by short car drives through some of the most magnificent scenery in Germany.

Breakfast was taken early, and at 9 o'clock sharp our Army friends arrived to take the party for a motor excursion, and very soon we were amongst the beautiful scenery of the Taunus Hills. After a drive of two hours we came upon the right bank of the Rhine at Lorch. Continuing along the river side to Assmannshausen a stop was made and a walk taken through this picturesque village, while lunch was being prepared.

Leaving at 2 p.m. we continued on the riverside to Rudesheim where the motor coach made the strenuous climb to the "Germania'' National Monument, which stands over one thousand feet above the water. The monument is a wonderful piece of work, the base being 82 feet wide, whilst the figure of "Germania"' is 34 feet high.

The principal relief on the front symbolises the watch on the Rhine.

The terraces on the front command a wonderful view of the country, and with the sun shining brilliantly the scene could be fittingly described as the perfection of the beautiful.

Leaving the Niederwald at 3 p.m., we arrived at Wiesbaden at 4.15, and proceeded to the Stadium for the match versus the British Rhine Army. Our team being : — Hufton; Hodgson, Norrington; Smailes, Barrett, Cadwell; Yews, Earle, Loughlin, Robson, Payne.

Our boys had a fine reception on turning out, and after being presented to the Commander in Chief, General Thwaites, a very enjoyable exhibition of football was given, as the Army team were all out, but after a fast game West Ham won 4-1, the goals being scored by Robson (2), Yews and Loughlin.

After the match we were entertained at a Dinner and Concert. Some very good numbers being tendered by Sergeant W. another tour was made through Germany, we would find time to play the Army team again. Mr. W. White suitably responded and a pleasant evening terminated with the National Anthem.

KARLSRUHE (Germany)

Karlsruhe

1 - 4 (Ruffell)

12 May 1928

Hufton

Hodgson

Earl

Smailes

Cox

Cadwell

Payne

Robson

Barrett

Moore

Ruffell

SATURDAY MAY 12th.

Owing to the internal trouble between the German Union and the Local Associations, the games fixed for the 19th, at Dresden, had been cancelled, and we were asked to visit Karlsruhe on the 12th. This meant playing four games in five days, as we were booked to meet Nuremburg on Sunday, May 13th. We were compelled to be up at 6 a.m. and make a four hours' journey, and owing to the Army reception not being over until one a.m., the team took the field at Karlsruhe rather tired. We fielded the following:— Hufton, Hodgson, Earl, Smailes, Cox, Cadwell, Payne, Robson, Barrett, Moore, Ruffell. Our boys gave a poor display and were beaten 4-1.

NUREMBURG (Germany)

Nuremburg

3 - 2 (Loughlin, Payne, Yews)

13 May 1928

Hufton

Earl

Norrington

Cox

Barrett

Cadwell

Yews

Earle

Loughlin

Moore

Payne

SUNDAY MAY 13th.

We had no time to see any of the sights at Karlsruhe, as to reach Nuremburg we were forced to leave by the 7 a.m. train, which after a tiring journey of over five hours, arrived at 12.30 p.m.

We were received at the station by a large number of football officials and conducted to our Hotel where lunch was immediately served, and at 3.30 we left for the Stadium where we found a crowd of over 20,000 people assembled.

The Nuremburg Club have a massive war memorial erected on the ground. When our players and officials came on to the ground the reception was tremendous, but it immediately turned into impressive silence when the German people saw Stanley Earle carrying a large array of flowers which he placed on the memorial while the players and officials stood to attention, and when Stanley Earle gave the salute the crowd again broke into tremendous cheering.

The Nuremburg Club have been for the last six years champions of Germany, and we knew they would be difficult to beat, and it was decided to play:—Hufton; Earl. Norrington; Cox, Barrett, Cadwell; Yews, Earle, Loughlin, Moore, Payne.

The game was hotly contested and the German team put up a fine fight, but West Ham won 3-2. The goals being scored by Loughlin, Payne and Yews.

MONDAY MAY 14th.

Nuremburg is the second largest town in Bavaria, with a population of 400,000 inhabitants, and is reputed to be one of the most attractive cities in the world. Once the seat of the "German Emperors, its medieval gales and imposing fortifications indicate its importance in history.

As our stay in this old world city was short, no time was lost in getting around the various interesting places.

Visiting first the Picture Gallery where a very fine collection is to be seen, and a stroll up Koningstrasse where right and left are to be observed antique and modern houses, making a charming view with the towers of the Lorenz Church in the background. Passing on we were in a few minutes standing admiringly before one of the most beautiful Churches in Germany. The interior is very imposing. Hanging from the ceiling of the choir is what is claimed to be the masterpiece in wood carving, named "The Angels' Greeting." but what rivets the attention most is the receptacle for keeping the sacramental host. It is said to be one of the finest pieces of sculpture in the world.

Leaving the Church by the "Bride's Door" the Fountains of Virtue claim your attention, and to the left a very curious building called the "Nassauer House.'' Wandering on we come to the Sebaldus Church. Entering by a door decorated by statutes of the five wise and five foolish virgins, we observed the splendid interior, but one was at once drawn to the Sebaldus Tomb, a wonder of brass-founder's art which took six men eleven years to complete.

Just before noon we were in the market square, as it is one of the sights to see the figures of the seven electors of Bavaria come out as the clocks strike twelve and pass the figure of the Emperor three times making signs of loyalty as each figure arrives at the centre.

After lunch a further tour of the city was made, and visiting the Castle which is over one thousand years old, we were shewn the instruments of torture used in ancient times.

Nuremburg is a city rich in memories of mediaeval culture and wreathed with legends of olden times, nowhere are the grey memories of the past so intermingled with the endeavours of modern times.

One could write pages of this interesting city, but I cannot do better than finish with the following few lines written by one of our famous poets :

In the valley of the Pegnitiz

Where across broad meadow lands

Rise the blue Franconian mountains

Nuremburg the ancient stands

Quaint old town of toil and traffic

Quaint old town of art and song

Memories haunt thy pointed gables

Like the rooks around them throng.

Longfellow.

Touring Party at Nuremburg 14th May

TUESDAY MAY 15th.

The morning was spent quietly and at 1.38 we left Nuremburg. Quite a large number of friends made during our short stay in the City were at the station to wish us a safe journey and a quick return visit. The four hours' run to Munich was through fine country intensely cultivated. One noticed also that tree planting takes place immediately the old timber is cut down, and another great idea of the German people is having fruit trees growing on both sides of the country roads. This is in vogue all over Germany and the collection of the fruit is made in sections by local farmers. We arrived at Munich at 5.20 p.m. and proceeded to the Hotel Bayerisherhof. Munich, the capital of Bavaria, stands 1,700 feet above sea level, has 700,000 inhabitants and is built on the banks of the. fast flowing river Iser, and the close proximity of the Alps renders the town liable to sudden changes of weather. Munich is famous as a home of art culture and in¬dustry. The large breweries of Spaten, Lowen, Pschorr, and Paulaner are in the town and other industries include motor cars, glass painting and aeroplanes. There are a large number of organised tours conducted from the city to various alpine resorts and the Bavarian Castles. The clock on the Town Hall is also one of the sights. It chimes every day at eleven o'clock, and on the upper balcony a miniature tournament takes place and afterwards on the lower balcony the dance of the Coopers is given. The figures in both the tournament and dance are made of copper and all richly dressed. Finally, after the above events are finished, a cock placed on the pinnacle flaps its wings and crows. At 9 p.m. a man carrying a lantern comes out and gives a bugle call three times. Thereupon the Angel of Peace moves away holding its hand over a little child going before it.

WEDNESDAY MAY 16th.

An auto car excursion through the Bavarian Alps was arranged for to-day, and breakfast being over early a start was made at 8.30 a.m. The roads were very good and the scenery delightful. At 11 a.m. a stop was made at Kesselburg, and coffee was served in an old world inn. Con¬tinuing we soon came upon Lake Kochel. a beautiful sheet of water over 600 feet deep. At one end of this lake is a great electric generating station which we were privileged to look over. This huge station has eight sets of generators with a total output of 80,000 kilowatts. The machines generate power at 6,600 volts which is transformed up to 100,000 volts for transmission over the whole of Bavaria. The generators are driven by huge water turbines which take the overflow of Lake Walchensee through six huge pipe lines which have nearly a vertical drop of 700 feet, the volume of water coming down at the rate of 300,000 gallons per minute. After this interesting inspection we continued with a very hard climb up to Walchelsee, a beautiful sheet of water about five miles long with the Kerwendal range in the background. A stop was made here and lunch was served in the Hotel Post. Leaving Walchensee we were soon at Mittelwald, but. owing to climatic conditions we were unable to see but very little of the majestic scenery of this resort, the mountains which rise to nearly 10,000 feet being shrouded in mist. At 4.30 p.m. we arrived at the world famous passion play village, Oberammergau, a beautiful spot in the heart of the mountains. The passion play is staged in the open air every 10 years, the performers are all local villagers and the leading actor, Anton Lang, has a souvenir shop. The play is performed three times each week from May to October, commencing at 8 a.m. and concluding at 6 p.m., with one hour interval; 5000 persons can witness each performance. Tea was taken in this renowned village and we were shown the ground where the performance takes place before leaving for Munich, where we arrived at 9 p.m.

BAYERN FC (Germany)

Munich 2 - 3 (Moore, Yews) 17 May 1928

Barrett Hodgson Earl Smailes Cox Norrington Yews Robson Loughlin Moore Payne

THURSDAY MAY 17th.

Raining and very little was done during the morning. Lunch being over we were soon on the way to the ground for the fifth game v. Bayern F.C. Owing to injuries and chills we were unable to play Collins, Cadwell, Earle and Ruffell, whilst Ted Hufton had to be in Paris to play for England. We were therefore left with a weak side to play the champions and lost 3-2, our side being :- Barrett, Hodgson, Earl, Smailes, Cox, Norrington, Yews, Robson, Loughlin, Moore, Payne. Our goals being scored by Yews and Moore. There were over 20.000 spectators. Bayern F.C. having won the league championship, a Festival had been arranged upon the day of our visit to honour the players. The ceremony was staged in the Coliseum and there were over two thousand persons present. We were accorded a very hearty reception, each member of our party being conducted to his seat by a boy in costume. The German people gave us a surprise in the way the scene for the presentation of the players was staged. When the curtain rose close on two hundred boys and lads from the various teams—of which Bayern have thirty-five—were standing on terraces at the sides of the stage in football costume. Then twelve little girls in white with garlands of flowers on their hair came along the front of the stage each carrying a large basket of beautiful blooms. A young lady then came from the back of the stage, and in the form of a recitation called each player forward and each little girl presented her basket to the players in turn, the whole thing being splendidly done from start to finish.

Mr. Kurt Landaur and several others made speeches, and then Mr. Klipstein made a speech in English as follows : —

Gentlemen of West Ham United, it falls to my lot to extend to you all, officials and players, the thanks of my Club, Bayern Muncken, for accepting our invitation to play here, and on behalf of the Club, I extend to you all a very hearty welcome to our famous city.

This is the first occasion upon which W.H.U. has played in Munich and, therefore, I sincerely hope that your visit will be a pleasant one and that you will carry away with you when you leave, happy memories. In saying this I do not wish to infer that your defeat was an altogether happy event to pass into memory, but it is, or should be, a far from unhappy one, because you were, to-day, beaten but not disgraced. You played the game in that scrupulously fair manner which to us is typical of Britishers, and you

accepted the defeat as true sportsmen, and as true sportsmen you cannot look back upon a defeat as an unhappy event.

I am sorry that it was not possible for us to place at your disposal a ground such as you are used to playing upon at home, but if you come here again—I am not going to enter into football politics here - you will find an excellent playing surface in our new stadium which will be opened in a month's time.

I do not intend to enter into a discussion of the game. We know the difficulties you have had to face and of the injuries to your players, and are well aware that, under the circumstances, you played very well. It is my sincere wish that your invalids will be fit and well at Berlin, when you meet Hertha, and that game will be as sporting as was that of to-day.

To conclude, I hope that you will feel, while you are our guests that you are among friends, that you are among sportsmen, and that you have met us at a sport which is of greatest international importance. That is to say, it is a sport which draws countries together and bind sportsmen into friendship. Through its medium may the people of your nation and mine learn to forget and in forgetting the bitterness of the past may we come a big step nearer to building a happy future of friendship, peace and healthy rivalry.

FRIDAY MAY 18th.

A morning tour of the city, visiting the Pinakothek picture gallery through the Therenenstrasse and Ludwigstrasse to the hall of Generals, the old residence and court yard to the Cathedral, then to hear the bells mentioned previously at the Town Hall which is a magnificent Gothic edifice with a tower 300 feet high.

After lunch a drive through the city to the war memorial which is claimed to be entirely different from all others. The construction is in the form of a pit with large blocks of marble on pillars and a figure of a soldier lying underneath. The sides of the pit are of marble and the names of over 13,000 men of the City of Munich, and the years when they were killed are cut in the slabs.

SATURDAY MAY 19th.

After an all night journey from Munich, we arrived at Berlin this morning at 8 a.m., and found our old friend Otto Nerz, Mr. Bruno Droesler. and a number of gentlemen of the Hertha B.S.C. waiting to welcome our party to their city.

Posing for press photographs being over, we repaired to the Hotel Continental, where breakfast was waiting. During the meal all were formally invited to the Opera House on Saturday evening and to visit the University of Sport and the Stadium during the afternoon; driving through Charlottenburg to the Sports grounds you are impressed with the great width of the streets, all of which have trees on both sides.

To enter the Stadium you pass under an arch which supports the horse racing track, inside of which the Stadium was built. It is the largest we have seen, but as regards accommodation for spectators, Wembley, although smaller, would hold considerably more people.

From the Stadium we proceeded to the University of Sport, and from what we where shewn the German people are certainly going all out for Athletic honours.

Our party finished the day at the Opera Comique, where we saw an elaborately staged show in true continental style.

SUNDAY MAY 20th.

Raining heavily and looking very bad for the last match of the tour, at 3.15 we arrived at the Hertha F.C. ground and found a few thousand people soaked to the skin. The Club officials suggested a postponement until 6 p.m. on Monday, and as we did not wish the Hertha Club to have a financial loss we readily agreed.

The banquet arranged for the evening was carried out and the teams and officials of both clubs had a very enjoy¬able time. Speeches were made by Mr. Paul Faber, Mr. Emil Schlas, Dr. F. Martin and Mr. George Davis, the party breaking up at midnight.

MONDAY MAY 21st.

Berlin, the third largest city in the world, covers an area of 550 square miles, with a population of 4,000,000. It is the main centre of German political cultural and economic life and the central point of a network of railways extending over 33,125 miles. Berlin's underground railway is electric and has 65 stations in a total length of 30 miles. The principal business thoroughfares are Leipziger Strasse, Friedrich Strasse and the celebrated Unter den Linden, but the fashionable life has moved farther west where Tauentzien Strasse and Kurfurstendamm have become the rendezvous of cosmopolitan society. Berlin has long been renowned for both music and drama, many famous names being associated with it. Theatres are numerous, there being over forty besides a large number of music halls, the Winter Garden, Scala, Luna Park, Cinemas and Cabarets. Taking an early morning walk, the city can be seen at its best. Starting from the castle you see the statues of the Great Elector and the Emperor William I. Through the Lustgarden to the Cathedral then on to the Castle Bridge into Unter den Linden (with its statue of Frederic the Great) Brandenburger Tor, Konigsplatz with Reichstag, statues of Bismark, Molke and the Victory Column, from thence to Wilhelm Strasse (Berlin's Downing Street), Leipziger Strasse and Friedrich Strasse. Old Berlin is very interesting. In the busy Konigstrasse is the Town Hall and in the immediate vicinity are two mediaeval churches, but the most ancient houses are to be seen in a little narrow street called "Am Krogel."

At 5 p.m. we were on the way to the Stadium. The weather was again bad for the match, but over 10,000 spectators had assembled when the teams turned out. Our side was:- Hufton, Hodgson, Norrington, Collins, Cox, Cadwell, Yews, Moore, Loughlin, Barrett, Ruffell. The home side put up a very good game, but West Ham won 4-2, the goal scorers being Barrett 2, Ruffell and Loughlin. The elaborate organisation of the Germans in sport is worth noting, each club running a large number of teams, some as many as thirty-five in Association Football, and many others in other branches of sport. The Hertha (Berlin Sport Club) 1st team, are a good side and one of the best in Germany.

HERTHA BERLIN (Germany)

Berlin 4 - 2 (Barrett 2, Loughlin, Ruffell) 21 May 1928

Hufton Hodgson Norrington Collins Cox Cadwell Yews Moore Loughlin Barrett Ruffell

TUESDAY MAY 22nd.

The sun is shining and it looks like fine weather. At 10.30 a.m. the whole party left the Hotel by motor for Potsdam, the cars made a circular tour of Berlin and all the sights were described by an English speaking guide.

Leaving the city we passed the Grunewald and proceeded to Wannsee where the car was left and the journey continued by motor boat. The scenery on the lakes is very charming, Potsdam was reached at 1 p.m. Lunch being over we started out to view the sights of the ex-Kaiser's summer residence, etc.

We were first shewn over the famous Garrison Church, then came the Palace of Sanssouci, the historic residence of Frederick the Great, which stands in a magnificent park having one hundred and twenty-five fountains some reaching a height of over a hundred feet. A walk of about two miles through the grounds brought us to the New Palace where we were shewn among other apartments the grotto, a room about eighty feet by forty, the walls and ceiling being composed of all kinds of expensive shells worked in splendid designs, each panel being separated by dadoes of precious stones and metals. The floors of the rooms are such that all visitors have to put thick felt overshoes on before being allowed to enter. After having seen all the wonders of Potsdam you are informed that ex-Kaiser William had pomp and vanity written all over him, as he kept a garrison of 45,000 men, - the pick of the German army in Potsdam, - for show purposes.

Leaving at 4 p.m., we stopped for tea at a beautiful spot on the River Havel, and arrived back in Berlin about six o'clock. The evening was spent at the circus and cabarets.

WEDNESDAY MAY 23rd.

A fine morning and a flying visit was paid to the Berlin Zoo. Arriving at 9.30, we were surprised to find hundreds of Berlin people having breakfast at the elaborate restaurant inside the gardens, and at least fifty school classes being shewn round. Returning to the Hotel to see our luggage away and thence to the Frederickstrasse Station to commence our homeward journey. A large number of English and German friends were on the platform, and as the train pulled out at one o'clock they wished us God speed and regrets could be observed in some faces that we were not staying longer. The journey through Germany to the Dutch frontier was intensely interesting, constantly changing landscapes with wild scenery, deep valleys with rushing streams, and little old towns were constantly coming into view and an impressive contrast is noticed between the old fashioned rural districts and the urban centres. It is said that to visit Germany is to see the heart of Europe and there is no doubt that a great deal that is wonderful is to be seen in this country. In concluding the record of our tour, I feel that it leaves a lasting impression as one of the notable experiences of life.

Our thanks go out to the following gentlemen for the courtesy and attention paid to the members of our party. Frankfort on Main: Mr. Alb. Sohn, Mr. Harry Reinhardt. Wiesbaden: Lieut. Maudett, Lieut. Briggs, Q.M.S. Airey and Mr. W. Le Crerer. Karlsrhue: Dr. J. Schricker. Nuremburg: Dr. Benjeman, Mr. Hermann Schondube. Munich: Mr. J. Klipstein. Berlin: Mr. Brune Droesler, Mr. G. Yung, Dr. F. Martin, and Mr. Otto Nerz.

Other Matches Played at the Boleyn Ground

NORTH of ENGLAND BOYS v. SOUTH of ENGLAND BOYS English Schools FA Final International Trial Match:

Upton Park ? - ? 10 March 1928

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

1926-27 Friendlies Season 1927-28 1928-29 Friendlies