1932-33 Football League : Division II

Manager: Syd King / Charlie Paynter

West Ham United

1932-33

Starting life in the Second Division, the Hammers struggled as Bradford City won 4–2 at the Boleyn Ground, and in the return a week later the Yorkshire side won 5–1. A good 3–0 victory at home against old rivals Millwall was welcome, but this was soon followed by a 6–0 defeat at Lincoln City. The home faithful were then treated to five successive home wins where the team scored 24 goals. There were hat-tricks for Fred Norris against Oldham and for Vic Watson against Burnley. After Grimsby Town were beaten 5–2 there was an excellent 7–3 home win over neighbours Charlton Athletic.

The long-serving manager, Syd King, had been warned several times over his drink-related conduct and following an emergency board meeting in November 1932 he was suspended for three months. In January 1933 he was informed that his contract had been terminated. Days later he drank a cocktail of alcohol and disinfectant, and he passed away on 12 January in St Mary’s hospital, Plaistow. He had been at the club since the Thames Ironworks days, playing as full-back until April 1903. He was replaced by club trainer Charlie Paynter.

Throughout December there was only one defeat in seven games and it was hoped that this fine form would continue into the New Year. Non-league Corinthians were beaten 2–0 in the FA Cup and this brought a home tie against West Bromwich Albion. West Brom lay seventh in the First Division but the Hammers beat them 2–0. A fifth-round tie with Brighton was the reward, but a week before that West Ham were beaten 6–1 at Bury. The Brighton tie attracted a record crowd of 32,310 to the Goldstone Ground. In an exciting tie the teams drew 2–2 and the Hammers won the resultant replay by 1–0. Forgetting about their lowly league position they brushed aside Birmingham City in the quarter-final as they won 4–0 at the Boleyn Ground. The semi-final was against Everton at Wolverhampton’s Molineux ground. The teams were drawing 1–1 with seven minutes remaining when Everton grabbed the winner.

League form was still poor and by Good Friday, after a 1–0 defeat at Chesterfield, the team were bottom of the league. After that, though, four successive games were won and relegation was narrowly avoided. They had enjoyed an exciting FA Cup journey but by finishing in 20th place the team had almost been relegated to the Third Division.

SWANSEA TOWN : Football League Divsion II

SORRY NO IMAGE

Vetch Field

0 - 1

27 August 1932

Att: 15,247

Dixon

Earl

Chalkley

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Wilson

Mills

Puddefoot

Ruffell

ARTHUR WILSON and HUGH MILLS both make their Hammers debut against SWANSEA TOWN at Vetch Field

BRADFORD CITY : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

2 - 4 (Mills, Pollard)

29 August 1932

Att: 10,964

Watson G.

Earl

Chalkley

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Mills

Deacon

Ruffell

GEORGE WATSON and RICHARD DEACON both make their Hammers debut against BRADFORD CITY at Upton Park

NOTTS COUNTY : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Puddefoot)

3 September 1932

Att: 10,656

Dixon

Earl

Chalkley

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Mills

Puddefoot

Ruffell

6 September 1932

JOHN ARNOTT (1953-1955) Born this day Sydenham, London

Centre-forward John Henry Arnott contested a first-team slot with Tommy Dixon. Initially with Churchfield Old Boys in Beckenham, he was still an amateur when he made his Second Division debut in West Ham’s 0-2 defeat against Bury at Gigg Lane 10 April 1954. His only goals for Hammers were both recorded against Plymouth Argyle at Upton Park in a 2-2 draw on the 16th April 1954. Made only two further First XI appearances after turning professional for the 1954-55 season. Later had spells with Shrewsbury Town, AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham; finished his playing career in the Southern League with Dover as player-coach in June 1969, where he was still playing well into his forties.

BRADFORD CITY : Football League Divsion II

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Valley Parade

1 - 5 (Watson)

7 September 1932

Att: 17,137

Dixon Earl Chalkley Collins Barrett Musgrave Yews Fenton Watson V. Puddefoot Ruffell

PORT VALE : Football League Divsion II

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Recreation Ground

0 - 4

10 September 1932

Att: 9,582

Watson G.

Earl

Chalkley

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Fenton

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Ruffell

MILLWALL : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

3 - 0 (Watson 2, Morton)

17 September 1932

Att: 25,496

Watson G.

Earl

Chalkley

Norris

St Pier

Barrett

Yews

Fenton

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Morton

SOUTHAMPTON : Football League Divsion II

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The Dell

3 - 4 (Morton 2, Watson)

24 September 1932

Att: 11,636

Watson G.

Earl

Chalkley

Norris

St Pier

Barrett

Yews

Fenton

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Morton

BURY : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

0 - 1

1 October 1932

Att: 12,848

Watson G.

Chalkley

Fryatt

Collins

St Pier

Barrett

Yews

Fenton

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Morton

LINCOLN CITY : Football League Divsion II

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Sincil Bank

0 - 6

8 October 1932

Att: 9,887

Watson G.

Chalkley

Fryatt

Collins

Barrett

Cadwell

Morton

Yews

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Ruffell

OLDHAM ATHLETIC : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

5 - 2 (Norris 3, Morton, Watson)

15 October 1932

Att: 13,161

Watson G.

Earl

Walker

St Pier

Johnson

Musgrave

Yews

Norris

Mills

Wilson

Morton

PRESTON NORTH END : Football League Divsion II

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Deepdale

1 - 4 (Mills)

22 October 1932

Att: 8,525

Watson G.

Earl

Walker

St Pier

Johnson

Musgrave

Yews

Norris

Mills

Wilson

Morton

BURNLEY : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

4 - 4 (Watson 3, Morton)

29 October 1932

Att: 12,009

Watson G.

Earl

Walker

Johnson

Barrett

Cadwell

Yews

Norris

Mills

Wilson

Morton

BRADFORD PARK AVENUE : Football League Divsion II

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Park Avenue

0 - 3

5 November 1932

Att: 14,861

Watson G. Earl Walker Johnson Barrett Musgrave Yews Fenton Watson V. Puddefoot Morton

5 November 1932

Syd King suspended until further notice

On 5 November 1932 West Ham lost their ninth game of the season, against Bradford Park Avenue, and at the same day's board meeting, according to one board member, "during the discussion on the team, (King) was "drunk and insubordinate." It was no secret that King "liked a drink", but he had already been appeased by the board many times over the issue. On the following day the board announced that: "It was unanimously decided that until further notice C. Paynter be given sole control of players and that E. S. King be notified accordingly."

6 November 1932

Charlie Paynter given sole control of players

Paynter first became involved with West Ham United in 1897 as unpaid help. In the 1900-01 season Paynter joined the club as a player although he never played for the first-team. He sustained a knee injury in a match against Woolwich Arsenal which ended his career and the club appointed him reserve-team trainer in 1902. He was then promoted to first-team trainer, replacing Syd King, who was appointed first team manager.

Charlie Paynter, J. Collins, A. Walker, G.Watson, A. Chalkley, J. Barrett, A. Cadwell

T. Yews, W. Pollard, V. Watson, A. Wilson, J. Morton

GRIMSBY TOWN : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

5 - 2 (Wilson 2, Watson, Yews, Jacobson [og])

12 November 1932

Att: 11,481

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Johnson

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Puddefoot

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

STOKE CITY : Football League Divsion II

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Victoria Ground

0 - 0

19 November 1932

Att: 11,225

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

CHARLTON ATHLETIC : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

7 - 3 (Watson 2, Wilson 2, Barrett, Morton, Yews)

26 November 1932

Att: 18,347

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football League Divsion II

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City Ground

2 - 2 (Watson, Wilson)

3 December 1932

Att: 7,399

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Norris

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

3 - 1 (Watson 2, Wilson)

10 December 1932

Att: 13,435

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League Divsion II

White Hart Lane

2 - 2 (Morton, Whatley [og])

17 December 1932

Att: 45,129

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Puddefoot

Wilson

Morton

17 December 1932

JOHN BOND (1951-1965) Born this day Dedham, Essex

Played for North East Essex Schools and Essex Army Cadets before joining as an amateur from Colchester Casuals in 1950. Bond joined West Ham as an 18 year old and his Hammers’ career stretched over a period when the club evolved from being a mediocre second division club to becoming established in the top division. His name will be forever etched in the club’s history books as a member of the teams which won the Second Division title in 1958 and the FA Cup in 1964. However a place in the European Cup Winners Cup final team eluded him despite playing and scoring in the early rounds. Bond’s league debut against Coventry City at Highfield Road on February 9, 1952 coincided with the day in which all football league games were marked by two minutes silence in respect of King George VI’s death. A great "character" and his consistent form earned him a late selection to tour South Africa with the F.A. party in 1956. His play there indicated possibilities of further honours; unfortunately an injury curtailed the tour and was forced to return to England for treatment. First class full-back penalty expert and dead-ball kicker, and on a couple of occasions proved his versatility by standing in as a replacement centre forward. The first was in March/April 1959 for an eight match run when he scored four goals, and the second occasion was in February/March 1960 when he improved his strike rate with six in eight consecutive games in the number nine shirt. The most notable performance was his hat-trick against Chelsea in a 4-2 home win on February 6, 1960. Muffin transferred to Torquay United from West Ham in 1965, afterwards managed AFC Bournemouth, Norwich City, Manchester City, Burnley and Swansea City, but following the Swan's domestic problems he took over at St. Andrews with Birmingham City, and later Shrewsbury Town.

22 December 1932

PHIL WOOSNAM (1958-1962) Born this day Caersws, Montgomeryshire, Wales

The original "Welsh Wizard." A footballing genius who almost single-handedly controlled Hammers' destiny from the inside-right position in the immediate post-promotion years. He represented Wales at Schools, Amateur and full international level, and was the first Hammer to play for the Principality since Wilf James in 1932. A relatively late starter, he did have one game for Manchester City as far back as 1952, after moving to Maine Road for trials from Sutton United while still retaining his amateur status. Phil's career took off at Leyton Orient after he had satisfied his academic needs at University by obtaining his degree as a Bachelor of Science, continuing to teach at Leyton County High School. It cost Hammers a then club-record fee of £30,000 to persuade O's to part with their star performer in November 1958, and then made his debut against Arsenal at Upton Park in a 0-0 draw on the 8th November 1958. He was chosen for Wales on 15 occasions during his four years at the Boleyn, having already won one cap while at Brisbane Road, and also represented the Football League. The arrival of Johnny Byrne in March 1962 seemed to hasten Phil's departure which to many appeared premature, the pair's link-up in Hammers attack having become the high-light of the London scene by the time of his move to Aston Villa. He gained another two caps and scored 23 goals in 111 League matches while with Villa. In 1966 Phil emigrated to the States to take up the post of player-coach to Atlanta Chiefs, who won the North American Soccer League two years later under his guidance. He was then appointed Commissioner of the League and since then probably did more to further the game in the States than any other single person.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

2 - 2 (Barrett, Morton)

24 December 1932

Att: 21,312

Watson G.

Chalkley

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

FULHAM : Football League Divsion II

Image courtesy of Chas Sturton

Craven Cottage

2 - 4 (Puddefoot, Watson)

26 December 1932

Att: 26,932

Watson G.

Goodacre

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Pollard

Watson V.

Puddefoot

Morton

FULHAM : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Watson)

27 December 1932

Att: 32,237

Watson G.

Goodacre

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Yews

Puddefoot

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

SWANSEA TOWN : Football League Divsion II

Upton Park

3 - 1 (Watson 2, Barrett)

31 December 1932

Att: 16,876

Watson G.

Goodacre

Walker

Collins

Barrett

Musgrave

Wood

Pollard

Watson V.

Wilson

Morton

SECOND-HALF