1928-29 Friendlies

FIRST PRACTICE MATCH : Reds v. Blues

Upton Park ? - ? 11 August 1928

SECOND PRACTICE MATCH : Reds v. Blues

Upton Park ? - ? 18 August 1928

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

ALDERSHOT

Recreation Ground

3 - 0

19 Septemebr 1928

MILLWALL : London Professional Charity Cup Final

Upton Park 5 - 1 (Payne 2, Loughlin, Barrett, Shone) 8 October 1928

CUSTOM HOUSE

Upton Park 2 - 0 13 October 1928

THAMES ASSOCIATION

West Ham Stadium 2 - 3 (Campbell, Rutherford) 22 October 1928

Tate, Smith G., Coshall, White, Cox T., Wilkins, Rutherford, Robson, Campbell, Moore, Bowden

CHELMSFORD

Away 3 - 4 25 December 1928

BOURNEMOUTH RESERVES

Upton Park 5 - 2 16 February 1929

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

BOURNEMOUTH RESERVES

Dean Court 3 - 2 23 February 1929

THAMES ASSOCIATION

Upton Park 4 - 1 18 March 1929

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

METROPOLITAN MID-WEEK LEAGUE

Upton Park 4 - 1 29 April 1929

Other Matches Played at the Boleyn Ground

WEST HAM BOYS v. EAST HAM BOYS : Sun Shield (Second Round)

Upton Park 3 - 1 (Fenton, Pearce, Hooper) - (Yallop) 28 September 1928

WEST HAM BOYS v. ILFORD BOYS : Sun Shield (Second Round)

Upton Park 6 - 1 24 November 1928

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v. CHARLTON ATHLETIC : London Challenge Cup (Semi-Final)

Upton Park 5 - 3 (Armstrong 2, Crompton, Hartley, O'Callaghan) 26 November 1928 Att; 4,000

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

WEST HAM J.O.C. v. Birmingham J.O.C.

Upton Park ? - ? 30 March 1929

The third annual match between West Ham and Birmingham J O C’s took place at Upton Park. The two previous games have resulted in a 1-1 draw at West Ham and a win for West Ham JOC by 4-1 at the Villa ground. The J.O.C takes charge of a lads football team from the time he leaves school until he is old enough to take his place in top grade football

Extract taken from the West Ham United v. Burnley programme dated 29th March 1929

The medal was award to A. Sanders (Birmingham J.O.C.)

ESSEX v. LONDON : Representative Match

Upton Park 1 - 1 6 May 1929

LONDON CALIES (Caledonians) v. ILFORD : London Senior Cup Final

Upton Park 1 - 4 11 May 1929

Image courtesy of Nigel Turner

West Ham United Club Tour Holland 1929

Recorded by Mr A.C. DAVIS (Director)

Several foreign invitations were again received by West Ham United, and it will, no doubt, interest our football friends to know that we had as early as September last the first offer of the South American Tour, which was eventually fixed up by Chelsea. Other requests for matches were received from Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Italy, and we accepted the offer of the Italian Football Association to play in Naples, Rome, Bologna, Milan and Turin, but during the last week in April it was intimated that difficulties had arisen and the arrangements were cancelled. Just at this time our friends in Amsterdam enquired if we could go to Holland for a few days, and we readily agreed to pay them another visit. Our party, which included R, Dixon, A. Earl, C. Norrington, F. Norris, J. Barrett, A. Cadwell, W. St. Pier, A. Hull, T. Yews, G. Robson, V. Watson, V. Gibbins, J. Ruffell, F. Piercy, F. R. Pratt, G. F. Davis, A. C. Davis, W. J. Cearns and E. S. King, left Liverpool Street Station on Friday, May 17th, by the 10 a.m. Continental Boat Train. We had a very fine trip across, and landed at Flushing at 5.30 p.m. The usual Customs formalities having been concluded, the train left at 6.40 p.m. for Amsterdam, where we arrived at 11 p.m. and received a very hearty welcome from the members of the Ajax F.C., who were waiting on the platform for our arrival. After greetings had been exchanged, we crossed over to the Hotel Suisse, and rooms being allocated it was not long before we were all in bed.

SATURDAY, MAY 18th.

Rather dull morning. Breakfast over, a walk through the centre of the city was enjoyed, until lunch time. Amsterdam offers an epitome of Holland's past and present, from the Jewish quarter where Rembrandt's house is nearly the same as when the great painter died, along the quiet "grachten'' with their fine eighteenth century dwelling houses, and the crowded Kalverstraat with its modern shops, each having its special feature in its distinctive charm. The afternoon was spent quietly, and at 6 p.m. we left for the Ajax ground where the first game was taking place. The kick-off was arranged for 7.15, and our team turned out as follows : Dixon, Earl, Norrington, Norris, Barrett, Hull, Yews, Robson, Watson, Gibbins, Ruffell. The Ajax team put up a valiant fight but were beaten 6-0, our goals being scored by Robson (3), Gibbins (2), and Yews. The spectators were very pleased with the display of football given by the "Hammers."

AJAX AMSTERDAM (Netherlands)

The Stadium, Amsterdam

6 - 0 (Robson 3, Gibbins 2, Yews)

18 May 1929

Dixon Earl Norrington Norris Barrett Hull Yews Robson Watson Gibbins Ruffell

SUNDAY, MAY 19th.

The morning was dull and a walk was taken through the centre of the city. A visit was paid to the English Church to pay our respects to the Rev. W. W. Lucas, the British Chaplain, who was at the match on Saturday.

After lunch all our party visited the Stadium to witness the motor and cycle races, and when we informed the Dutch people that we had similar racing in London 28 years ago they could hardly believe us.

The motor-paced events recalled the fine displays on the Memorial Grounds by Tommy Hall, Emile Bouars, A. A. Chase and G. Barnes, and the motor races brought to mind the names of Harry Martin, J. Crundell, T. Tessier and J. Van Hoden, who were the pioneers of this sport. During the evening visits were made to some of the Cabarets.

Touring Party in Amsterdam

ENSCHEDE (Netherlands)

Enschede 3 - 3 (Robson, Barrett 2) 20 May 1929

Dixon Goodacre Norrington Norris St Pier Cadwell Yews Robson Barrett Gibbins Ruffell

WHIT-MONDAY, MAY 20th.

All were about early this morning as we were booked to play at Enschede, and our train left Amsterdam at 9.40a.m. An interesting run of over three hours through pretty country brought us to the Manchester of Holland, a town of 55,000 inhabitants, who played a prominent part after the conclusion of peace in handling over 80,000 prisoners of war sent out of Germany. A memorial erected in the town establishes the fact that Enschede gave food and clothing to the men as they arrived from Germany, and out of the total number over 26,000 were British.

We were met by the officials of the local club upon arrival, and after a light lunch we drove to the football ground which is in the centre of the park and shut off from the public with canvas sheets.

There was a crowd of 8,000 people present, and our team was : Dixon, Goodacre, Norrington, Norris, St. Pier, Cadwell, Yews, Robson, Barrett, Gibbins, Ruffell.

The weather was very hot and did not seem to effect the Dutch team, who played a very fast and stubborn game which ended in a draw 3-3, our goals being scored by Robson and Barrett (2).

After a very nice dinner, the menu of which was big and the service slow, we had to leave the last course to get the train to Amsterdam, where we arrived at 11.45 p.m. all ready for bed.

TUESDAY, MAY 21st. .

Another fine day, and a tour of the city was made by some of the party. Amsterdam, the Venice of the north, is a city of 740,000 inhabitants. The centre of the town is old, and as you pass some of buildings one imagines the possibility of seeing them flat on the ground at any moment. The principal places of interest are the garden of the Convent of Begiuns, off Kalverstraat; The Exchange, National Gallery, celebrated for its collection of Rembrandt pictures, including the "Night Watch;'' Zoological Gardens and Aquarium.

The charm of Amsterdam is undoubtedly the numerous canals and waterways, and the view on the opposite page gives an idea of what is seen every few hundred yards.The spell that haunts the Dutch waterways seizes the visitor, as not only in Amsterdam but throughout the whole country run these waterways, linking the provinces in a network of shimmering strands. The scenery may be different, but the lure of the canal remains the same, whether the water reflects the quaint pavilions and trees of the Utrecht country, or mirror the old houses half hidden by the branches of the trees standing along the quay of some busy town.

After lunch the whole party left for a tour of what is known as the Dead Cities of the Zyder Zee. Leaving the central pier the boat carries you across the basin to the steam trams, and the journey through the country, which is all below sea level, is an interesting experience.

The first stop is at Brock in Waterland, a village situated on a creek called Havenrak. Passing on, we arrived at Brockerhuis, and then on to Volendam, a fishing village situated on the Zyder Zee, which has a small harbour. Very picturesque costumes are seen here, and several of our party were photographed in native dress.

Photographs from the private collection of West Ham United player Vivian Gibbins

West Ham United manager: Syd King

Mrs. Kaine and Vic Watson

Alfred Earl and Fred Norris

After about an hour spent in the village, the boat arrived to take the visitors across to the Isle of Markem, a distance of about four miles, and we were informed that during the severe winter just passed, the Zyder Zee was frozen over, and on one day over two hundred motor cars crossed over to Markem on the ice.

The Isle of Markem is flat and is only 3 feet above sea level, being protected by dykes. It is exclusively inhabited by fishermen and their families, whose multicoloured costumes are the show of the trip.

During the return journey a visit was paid to a cheese farm, where we were shewn the process of making the celebrated Dutch cheese, and quite a large order was given for cheese to be sent to England.

We arrived back in Amsterdam, after a very delightful trip, about 5 p.m.

During the evening a visit was paid to the Super Picture House where the talking film, "The Broadway Melody", was drawing crowds, the film talk was in English with Dutch sub-titles inserted as in a silent picture.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22nd.

Delightful weather continued, and at 10.30 a.m. we left the hotel for a tour of the bulb fields which, owing to the late spring, are now in full bloom. Leaving Amsterdam the road is perfectly straight, and a combination of traffic ways that cannot be found in any other country is seen, electric railway, canal, electric tram¬way, motor road, cycle road and footpath all running parallel from Amsterdam to Harlem. Passing over the bridge at Harlem the road runs through the park, and a few minutes later pretty country scenes are before us. The drive continued on to Zandvoort, a seaside resort where we were fortunate to witness the arrival of three seaplanes who after a few air stunts taxied down on the water and came right in shore. Lunch was taken at the Groot-Badhuis Hotel, and at 2 p.m. we left on the return journey. The bulb fields passed en route were pictures of wonderful colours at every turn.

Arriving back at 3.30, and tea having been served, we were soon again en route for the Stadium for the match versus The Swallows, who are the Corinthians of Holland. The kick-off was fixed for 7.30 p.m., and our team turned out as follows:- Dixon, Earl, Norrington, Norris, St. Pier, Hull, Yews, Robson, Barrett, Gibbins, Cadwell. There was fully 15,000 spectators present, and an evenly contested game resulted in a win for "The Hammers" by 3 to 2, our goals being scored by Yews 2, and Gibbins. After the match we were the guests of the Ajax and Swallows Clubs at the Pavilion in Vondel Park. An excellent dinner was served, and a fine musical programme rendered by the orchestra. Archie Hull was the star turn, with three fine numbers. During the evening, Mr. Jan Oudheusden presented a bronze statue of Ajax to the West Ham Club, and in welcoming the players and officials of the English team, he mentioned that the Dutch people could not understand a man being paid for sport, and that the public looked upon the professional as an outsider. Mr. G. F. Davis, replying for West Ham United, said that the average professional in football was just as good a gentleman, and, in fact, better than some of the players taking part in the game as amateurs. A very pleasant gathering terminated at 1 a.m., when we were escorted to our hotel by a number of the Dutch players, with musical numbers en route.

SWALLOWS ROTTERDAM (Netherlands)

Rotterdam 3 - 2 (Yews 2, Gibbins) 22 May 1929

Dixon Earl Norrington Norris St Pier Hull Yews Robson Barrett Gibbins Cadwell

THURSDAY, MAY 23rd.

A trip was made in glorious weather by cars to see the cherry orchards in bloom. The round trip of about one hundred miles was by way of Harlem and Arnem, where we crossed the Rhine on a ferry by the swing of the boat which is moored in the centre of this fast running river with quite fifty yards of mooring line. Continuing on through picturesque country we arrived at Tiel, where lunch was taken.

After a stay of an hour we proceeded on via Apeldoorn to Doorn and made a few minutes' stop outside the resi¬dence of the ex-Kaiser William, but no one came out, so we continued on by way of Hilversham to Amsterdam, where we arrived about 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, MAY 24th.

After a busy shopping hour we left Amsterdam for the Hague at 11 a.m., to play our last game of the tour against the local club. A run of 60 minutes, with miles of bulb fields on both sides of the railway, a wonderful picture of constantly changing colour, we alighted at what is known to the Dutch people as Gravenhage, the seat of the court and government. The Hague is a city of spacious streets, adorned with fine buildings, trees and gardens. After lunch we motored to the Peace Palace. The Peace Palace, conceived and established by the generous gift of Andrew Carnegie, who placed at the disposal of the Dutch government the sum of 750,000 guilders to build a palace to house the permanent Court of Arbitration. Some idea of the magnificence of the building and grounds can be gained from the aerial view (above photo). What has contributed in a great measure to the wonderful finish and furnishing, was an arrangement that each of the States should contribute material, furniture, etc. Thus Italy presented the marble columns and pilasters in the vestibule; France, a painting for the wall of the Great Hall of Justice; England, the stained glass windows; Germany, the front gates; Belgium, the bronze doors; Sweden, the granite for the base and columns of the gallery; Norway, granite for the approaches; Denmark, the splendid fountain in the courtyard; Japan, the silk tapestries for the walls; Austria, the crystal candelabra; U.S.A., group of statuary; Turkey and Rumania, carpets; China, vases; San Salvador and Brazil, timber; Argentine, statuary; Russia, a large vase; Hungary, vases; Holland, wall decorations; whilst the City of the Hague presented the grand staircase. Thus has the Palace become an historical monument of the desire for Universal Peace.

HAGUE (Netherlands)

Hauge 1 - 2 (Watson) 24 May 1929

Dixon Earl Goodacre Norris St Pier Hull Yews Robson Watson Cadwell Ruffell

Leaving the home of the League of Nations we proceeded to Scheveningen (the Brighton of Holland), which is a favourite seaside resort, with firm, broad sands and splendid promenade.A stop was made here, and a walk on the beach disclosed some sidelights of continental character with respect to seaside bathing, and some wonderful costumes being seen. Tea was taken at 5 p.m., after which we drove direct to-the football ground at the Hague. Owing to minor injuries. Gibbins, Barrett and Norrington were unable to play. Our team was:- Dixon, Earl, Goodacre, Norris, St. Pier, Hull, Yews, Robson, Watson, Cadwell, Ruffell.

Our players evidently were feeling the effects of a strenuous holiday, and the heat. A very moderate display was given and the Hague team working very hard were rewarded by winning 2-1, the second goal being scored in the last minute.

Dinner was served at the Terminus Hotel, and at 10 p.m. we left for the Hook of Holland and home.

After a very fine sea trip we arrived at Harwich, and left for London where we arrived at 8.40 a.m., breakfast being served on the train.

We tender our thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Jan Oudheusden, for the way in which they worked to make our stay in Holland a happy holiday, to Mr. J. Koolhass of Ajax F.C., and to Mr. and Mrs. W. Kaine, our old goal-keeper, who is now coaching in Holland.

1927-28 Friendlies Season 1928-29 1929-30 Friendlies