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WEST HAM UNITED
Copyright 2024
All rights reserved
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES
A Pictorial History
Steve Marsh & Stuart Allen
1948-49 Eastern Counties League
Trainer: ?
The Eastern Counties League's first season commenced on 31 August 1935 and by the end of the following season there were concerns about the league's viability. Essex clubs had left to join the newly-established Essex County League, however, four new members (Colchester United Reserves, Cromer, Newmarket Town and Norwich CEYMS) were recruited. The following season the league expanded to 13 clubs as two of the Essex clubs rejoined (the Essex County League had been a failure with only five members completing the season and was not continued).
The 1939-40 season started, but was abandoned after the outbreak of World War II. After the war ended in May 1945 a meeting was held in late June to see whether the league could be restarted. However, a further meeting on 28 July decided that too few clubs were ready to resume footballing activities as many were unable to sign players and some grounds remained under the control of the armed forces. The league finally resumed for the 1946-47 season with ten clubs.
Prior to the start of the 1948-49 season the league was expanded to 16 clubs, largely through the addition of the 'A' teams of four London clubs, West Ham United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
![ECL Players 05](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_4b5c4e7b2b1b43d29ee06d6ab07869aa~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_111,h_78,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_4b5c4e7b2b1b43d29ee06d6ab07869aa~mv2.jpg)
On the road with the Eastern Counties League side
Photographs by kind permission of West Ham United player Ron Wilson
HARWICH AND PARKESTON : Eastern Counties League
Royal Oak
2 - 3
21 August 1948
![48_08_21 Harwich & Parkeston v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_4f426f38c317472ca834c0ab45d6db5c~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_109,h_168,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_4f426f38c317472ca834c0ab45d6db5c~mv2.jpg)
![48_08_21 Harwich & Parkeston v. WHU ECL - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_55accd2f659d4b9c967ad2a306241e16~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_92,h_71,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_55accd2f659d4b9c967ad2a306241e16~mv2.jpg)
Our first experience of Eastern Counties League football revealed that keen and clever opposition can be expected in this competition; four of the five Football League clubs whose “A” teams played were defeated in the opening encounters, Chelsea alone registering a success. But our XI containing seven amateurs made a very good showing against a strong, robust side before 2,500 spectators, losing 3-2 though a late goal, after being one down at half-time
![ECL Players on their Travels 05](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_639d1782b7ee44bfabad459ac2bcef0e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_24,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_639d1782b7ee44bfabad459ac2bcef0e~mv2.png)
HARWICH AND PARKESTON : Eastern Counties League Cup
Royal Oak
1 - 10
28 August 1948
![48_08_28 Harwich & Parkeston v. WHU ECL Cup](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_564d8151cf1342809f4c6bd3b2c91483~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_146,h_221,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_564d8151cf1342809f4c6bd3b2c91483~mv2.jpg)
![48_08_28 Harwich & Parkeston v. WHU ECL Cup - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_2938dcc3780647009bd4ecf9cb14b629~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_91,h_71,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_2938dcc3780647009bd4ecf9cb14b629~mv2.jpg)
We will not attempt to make excuses for a crushing defeat at Harwich, suffice it to say, greater experience was the decisive factor. Despite that set-back we are not disappointed with our newly-formed XI. Among them are several promising youngsters, who have youth very much on their side. During the week one of them – George Petchey – became the latest addition to the playing staff; George a 17.5 year-old inside-forward from Hornchurch, has been combining well with his younger partner – Jimmy Barrett (Junior) and we have great hopes of this pair as a future wing in our XI’s
CHELSEA 'A' : Eastern Counties League
Upton Park
0 - 3
2 September 1948
![48_09_02 WHU v. Chelsea ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_f6862589311b4a5c81e2735dabd9ce67~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_123,h_193,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_f6862589311b4a5c81e2735dabd9ce67~mv2.jpg)
![ECL Players 02](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_080238774d1f4de4ab7c550564c7dc68~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_24,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_080238774d1f4de4ab7c550564c7dc68~mv2.png)
![ECL Players 01](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_38f704fe4b924c0c90c202dc539c41c4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_26,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_38f704fe4b924c0c90c202dc539c41c4~mv2.png)
![48_09_16 WHU v. Ipswich Town ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_20b3da0c270d426d8128941bd407b43f~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_26,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_20b3da0c270d426d8128941bd407b43f~mv2.png)
![48_09_23 WHU v. Norwich City ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_1ed9ccbb61a74da2a849d28c76f801dc~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_24,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_1ed9ccbb61a74da2a849d28c76f801dc~mv2.png)
![ECL Players 03](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_cb8ea15af1544e6f94a559ded44d6c0d~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_24,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_cb8ea15af1544e6f94a559ded44d6c0d~mv2.png)
![ECL Players 04](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_1689a18439ac402f97c23b71b9a71ab7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_1689a18439ac402f97c23b71b9a71ab7~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_a6d0fe7d8ebf48688cd82a3074c5adb7~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_a6d0fe7d8ebf48688cd82a3074c5adb7~mv2.png)
![ECL Players 06](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_e36e0cc566684312a47ee5fd89ac2c7a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_e36e0cc566684312a47ee5fd89ac2c7a~mv2.png)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_8610cae8848c4439b6ae746914c0702e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_57,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_8610cae8848c4439b6ae746914c0702e~mv2.png)
GORLESTON : Eastern Counties League
Recreation Ground
2 - 0
8 January 1949
![49_01_08 Gorleston v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_5ad54fa06f0f454ea68058358b8705ea~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_118,h_186,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_5ad54fa06f0f454ea68058358b8705ea~mv2.jpg)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 'A' : Eastern Counties League
White Hart Lane
0 - 6
15 January 1949
![49_01_15 Tottenham Hotspur v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_b5c886eeab5a436fb1c386487a372dd7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_120,h_160,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_b5c886eeab5a436fb1c386487a372dd7~mv2.jpg)
CLACTON TOWN : Eastern Counties League
The Rush Green Bowl
1 - 1 (Howe)
22 January 1949
![49_01_22 Clacton Town v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_f0d65c87302a4eb4862d2de043c92e4f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_124,h_199,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_f0d65c87302a4eb4862d2de043c92e4f~mv2.jpg)
![49_01_22 Clacton Town v. WHU ECL - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_02e091a81e1d4c2d941fe8e0ed4600be~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_66,h_106,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_02e091a81e1d4c2d941fe8e0ed4600be~mv2.jpg)
![ECL Players 08](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_fcbeddd934aa48e894dd4c6c9df32cbf~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_fcbeddd934aa48e894dd4c6c9df32cbf~mv2.png)
CLACTON TOWN : Eastern Counties League
The Rush Green Bowl
1 - 2
26 February 1949
![49_02_26 Clacton Town v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_db9ffddd3c02416cae49cfc05e6bfe86~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_122,h_202,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_db9ffddd3c02416cae49cfc05e6bfe86~mv2.jpg)
![49_02_26 Clacton Town v. WHU ECL - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_9df8bf3fe6a64368bf8b39aa66de830e~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_67,h_104,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_9df8bf3fe6a64368bf8b39aa66de830e~mv2.jpg)
KING'S LYNN : Eastern Counties League
The Walks 2 - 4 5 March 1949
![49_03_05 Kings Lynn v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_9249f3fff57249ac9b14055d1ffd36c8~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_129,h_197,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_9249f3fff57249ac9b14055d1ffd36c8~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_9724bf3b55d547539b91589bc2c31d14~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_26,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_9724bf3b55d547539b91589bc2c31d14~mv2.png)
HARWICH AND PARKESTON : Eastern Counties League
Royal Oak
3 - 2
19 March 1949
![49_03_19 Harwich & Pakeston v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_7e2123e7ac724fd3a41805c30b683897~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_110,h_168,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_7e2123e7ac724fd3a41805c30b683897~mv2.jpg)
![49_03_19 Harwich & Pakeston v. WHU ECL - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_89abb4a4c76a44a29d18ca2a2ea83a03~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_93,h_70,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_89abb4a4c76a44a29d18ca2a2ea83a03~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_4bf9a2c5a1dd41f2baf45b864232f840~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_26,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_4bf9a2c5a1dd41f2baf45b864232f840~mv2.png)
![49_04_04 WHU v. Colchester United ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_0c58caa4322948aa96fa99d8d87a3a9a~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_0c58caa4322948aa96fa99d8d87a3a9a~mv2.png)
![49_04_06 WHU v. Arsenal ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_b8196ac4c0a640199f95236316e09304~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_27,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_b8196ac4c0a640199f95236316e09304~mv2.png)
![ECL Players 09](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_cced43cbe175414986373e568e905f14~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_cced43cbe175414986373e568e905f14~mv2.png)
CHELMSFORD CITY RESERVES : Eastern Counties League
New Writtle Street
0 - 3
16 April 1949
![49_04_16 Chelmsford City v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_39cf6aa5dfd748afa27da853e682b0db~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_117,h_181,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_39cf6aa5dfd748afa27da853e682b0db~mv2.jpg)
![49_04_16 Chelmsford City v. WHU ECL Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_a1d228f63db2405ca21c4355d71dd4e6~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_94,h_73,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_a1d228f63db2405ca21c4355d71dd4e6~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_bdfa677a1bcd49c390eb705fb9eb84bc~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_52,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_bdfa677a1bcd49c390eb705fb9eb84bc~mv2.png)
![49_05_04 WHU v. Tottenham Hotspur ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_ee41c6b5074d4888aa6b2991f1022648~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_25,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_ee41c6b5074d4888aa6b2991f1022648~mv2.png)
CHELMSFORD CITY RESERVES : Eastern Counties League
New Writtle Street
2 - 0 (Howe, Jackman)
7 May 1949
![49_05_07 Chelmsford City v. WHU ECL](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_9597989c5db446bebb687f4af083d069~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_117,h_181,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_9597989c5db446bebb687f4af083d069~mv2.jpg)
![49_05_07 Chelmsford City v. WHU ECL - Back](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/68e790_7e785a96f1ef45eeaf0d7dd679627b3f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_122,h_95,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/68e790_7e785a96f1ef45eeaf0d7dd679627b3f~mv2.jpg)
Season 1948-49 1949-50 ECL
.