1962-63 Football League : First Division

A poor start to the season saw home defeats by 4-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers and 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur. The Hammers were now bottom of the table and for the Liverpool game manager Ron Greenwood moved wing-half Geoff Hurst to the forward line. This move was the start of Hurst becoming one of the world’s deadliest strikers. Although he did not score in the 1-0 win, Hurst looked a natural. The following Saturday away to Manchester City the Hammers beat their fellow strugglers 6-1. Now in improved form, Blackburn Rovers were beaten 4-0 at Ewood Park followed by a 5-0 demolition of Birmingham City, where Johnny Byrne scored twice.

Byrne was on hand with a hat-trick in the League Cup as Plymouth Argyle were beaten 6-0 at home, but the trip to Rotherham in the next round brought a 3-1 defeat. Three forwards were transferred out, with Johnny Dick leaving for Brentford, Phil Woosnam joining Aston Villa and Malcolm Musgrove moving on to Leyton Orient. In late December there was excitement and goals as the Hammers drew 4-4 at Tottenham and won 4-3 at Nottingham Forest, where winger Peter Brabrook scored twice.

The ‘big freeze’ then hit the country, with postponements throughout January and February. On a snow-covered pitch West Ham beat Fulham 2-1 in a FA Cup replay following a goalless draw. In March West Ham progressed in the FA Cup with 1-0 home wins over Swansea Town and Everton. The quarter-final saw the Hammers travel to Liverpool, where a late goal put them out 1-0. The team were now in mid-table and Nottingham Forest were beaten 4-1 at home. The scorers in this match were Hurst (2), Moore and Peters. Some three years later this trio would become World Cup heroes. On the final day of the season Manchester City were relegated after the Hammers beat them 6-1 and gained a twelfth place finish in the league.

ASTON VILLA : Football League First Division

Villa Park

1 - 3 (Byrne)

18 August 1962

Att: 37,657

Leslie

Kirkup

Peters

Hurst

Lansdowne

Moore

Crawford

Boyce

Byrne

Dick

Musgrove

Image courtesy of Richard Miller

Aston Villa striker beats Lawrie Leslie in the West Ham goal and sees his shot narrowly go the wrong side of the post

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 4 (Musgrove)

20 August 1962

Att: 30,002

Leslie

Kirkup

Lyall

Peters

Brown

Moore

Crawford

Woosnam

Byrne

Dick

Musgrove

23 August 1962 DEREK WOODLEY and MICK BEESLEY A package deal at a modest fee took Derek Woodley and Mick Beesley, West Ham reserve forwards to Southend United, where they rejoin the man who signed them at Upton Park, Ted Fenton. Both had first team experience at Upton Park, particularly the flying Woodley, and are likely to prove a fine acquisition to struggling Southend.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 6 (Woosnam)

25 August 1962

Att: 32,527

Leslie

Kirkup

Lyall

Peters

Brown

Moore

Crawford

Woosnam

Sealey

Byrne

Musgrove

John Lyall

28 August 1962

PAUL ALLEN (1979-1985) Born this day Aveley, Essex

The subject of a shock transfer to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee set at £400,000 by the Football League Tribunal during the summer of 1985, this young midfield dynamo was already the proud holder of two national football records. In May 1980 he became (at 17 years and 256 days) the youngest player ever to appear in an English F.A. Cup Final, collecting a winners' medal to boot. He also smashed Bobby Moore's long standing record of 18 England Youth International caps the following year. Before joining his cousin Clive Allen at White Hart Lane, Paul signed apprentice in July 1978 and full professional forms for the Hammers in August 1979. Paul made his Second Division League debut a month later in the 2-1 victory against Burnley at Upton Park on the 29th September 1979. A one-time Essex and Thurrock Boys starlet, he returned to West Ham's First Division side in 1984 after a long lay-off through injury and made a major contribution towards the club's successful fight against relegation, displaying the kind of form which saw him blossom into one of the finest midfield players in the country and led Spurs and Liverpool battling for his signature. The eventual winners from North London paid Hammers 50% of the profit on his £550,000 move to Southampton in September 1993, because of a clause in his contract.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

Molineux 0 - 0 29 August 1962 Att: 36,844

Leslie Kirkup Burkett Peters Brown Moore Dear Woosnam Sealey Byrne Crawford

BRIAN DEAR makes his Hammers debut against WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS at Molineux

LEYTON ORIENT : Football League First Division

Brisbane Road

0 - 2

1 September 1962

Att: 23,918

Leslie

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Dear

Woosnam

Sealey

Byrne

Crawford

Image courtesy of Richard Miller

LIVERPOOL : Football League First Division

Upton Park 1 - 0 (Scott) 3 September 1962 Att: 22,258

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

4 September 1962

JOHN DICK joins BRENTFORD for £13,000

Born in Glasgow, he was a prolific goalscorer and became the first West Ham United player to play for the Scottish national team. He joined West Ham from Crittall Athletic while on National Service. Between 1953 and 1962, Dick made 367 appearances for the club, mainly at inside left. He scored 177 goals for West Ham in all competitions, placing him fourth on the club's all-time top scorers list.

MANCHESTER CITY : Football League First Division

Maine Road 6 - 1 (Musgrove 2, Byrne, Hurst, Peters, Scott) 8 September 1962 Att: 24,069

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

West Ham had been on the wrong end of a 6-1 thumping at home to Tottenham Hotspur just two weeks prior to this jaunt to Maine Road. Just a win and a draw in the Club's first six league fixtures saw the Hammers lying in a precarious 21st place. But there was clearly no shortage of confidence on this occasion, as no fewer than five different players hit the back of the net. Martin Peters, Tony Scott, Johnny Byrne and Geoff Hurst all scored, while Malcolm Musgrove celebrated a brace. Astonishingly, the sides met again on the final day, with West Ham running out 6-1 winners for the second time that season.

LIVERPOOL : Football League First Division

Anfield

1 - 2 (Byrne)

12 September 1962

Att: 39,261

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

BLACKPOOL : Football League First Division

Upton Park

2 - 2 (Musgrove, Scott)

14 September

Att: 24,695

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

An interesting evening's entertainment with excitement being sustained to the last kick of the game as Blackpool force a 2-2 at Upton Park. After a really disappointing start we rallied very well to gain a late equaliser. The first of our goals was the finish of a terrific drive from Malcolm Musgrove, and for the second Tony Scott went in hard to get his third tally of the season in a determined manner that has made him avery useful asset since he returned to the side.

BLACKBURN ROVERS : Football League First Division

Ewood Park 4 - 0 (Byrne, Hurst, Musgrove, Peters) 22 September 1962 Att: 15,545

Leslie Bond Burkett Peters Brown Moore Scott Woosnam Byrne Hurst Musgrove

West Ham United enjoyed a fruitful trip to the north west when they returned home from Blackburn Rovers with four goals and two points under their belts. Lawrie Leslie brought us unscathed through the early stages of the game with a couple of very fine saves, but once they got ahead in the 35th minute there was no stopping the Hammers. Geoff Hurst headed in a headed pass by Phil Woosnam for this goal and Mai Musgrove virtually settled Rovers' fate 17 minutes after the interval when he slammed in a 25-yarder from a down-the-middle move. The demoralised opposing defence conceded two more goals in the last couple of minutes, Johnny Byrne hitting the third with a half-volley and Martin Peters giving the coup-de-grace.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE : Football League Cup (Second Round)

Upton Park

6 - 0 (Byrne 3 [1 pen], Hurst, Musgrove, Peters)

26 September 1962

Att: 9,714

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Boyce

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

Plymouth Argyle were the visitors to Upton Park for this League Cup Second Round tie. In the absence of Phil Woosnam, Bobby Moore skippered the Hammers. He had the satisfaction of leading his side to a 6-0 win. Martin Peters opened the scoring in the third minute, and Johnny ‘Budgie’ Byrne got a hat-trick before half time (18, 30, 38 mins - the last a penalty). Malcolm Musgrove (51) and Geoff Hurst (58) completed the rout.

SHEFFIELD UNITED : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Scott)

29 September 1962

Att: 22,800

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

3 October 1962

BOBBY MOORE 6th ENGLAND cap

FRANCE European Championship Qualifier Hillsborough, Sheffield 1-1

BIRMINGHAM CITY : Football League First Division

Upton Park

5 - 0 (Byrne 2, Brown, Hurst, Musgrove)

6 October 1962

Att: 21,150

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

Birmingham City lost by five clear goals here in a League match. The statistics of City's away matches prior to this fixture were remarkable; they had lost all six encounters on opposing soil, had conceded 16 goals and failed to score a solitary goal! On this occasion they were quickly in trouble. Geoff Hurst put us one up after only three minutes and Budgie Byrne made it two a quarter-of-an-hour later. We had to wait until four minutes after the interval before again finding the net (Byrne's second goal), but within three minutes Malcolm Musgrove added another. Ken Brown put in his personal contribution three minutes from time - a somewhat unusual event for that great centre-half.

Woosnam shoots at Birmingham City goalkeeper Walters

10 October 1962

MARK WARD (1985-1989) Born this day Prescot, Lancashire

His form for Hammers after his £250,000 transfer from Oldham Athletic in the Summer of 1985 was a revelation. Mark was snapped up by the Boundary Park club for a paltry £10,000 from Gola League Northwich Victoria after earlier being released by Everton. Mark made his initial First team debut for Hammers against Birmingham City at St Andrews in a 0-1 defeat on the 17 August 1985, in which Frank McAvennie also made his debut. Dynamic little midfielder who operates on the right, and is at his most exciting best when running at opponents but tends to do much of his work from deeper positions, usually supporting his full back in defence. Played a key role in Hammers most successful League season 1985-86. Very popular with Hammers' fans, "Wardie" is always looking to unleash a shot from long-range. Made repeated requests for a transfer after Hammers were relegated to the Second Division in 1989, and was fined by the club after he missed the coach for a Littlewoods Cup-tie at Aston Villa. Joined Manchester City in a swap deal which saw Ian Bishop and Trevor Morley coming to Upton Park. Later "Wardie" transferred to Everton to team-up with fellow ex-Hammer Tony Cottee. Later played for Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, Ayr United, Wigan Athletic, Dundee, Valur (Iceland) and Altrincham FC.

ARSENAL : Football League First Division

Highbury 1 - 1 (Scott) 13 October 1962 Att: 49,597

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

Image courtesy of Richard Miller

ROTHERHAM UNITED : Football League Cup (Third Round)

Millmoor

1 - 3 (Hurst)

16 October 1962

Att: 11,581

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Bovington

Brown

Peters

Scott

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

On a misty evening at Millmoor, the Hammers put up a "dim" show in a Third Round tie of the League Cup. We had to omit Bobby Moore because of an international match on the following Saturday, but it appeared that his absence would make little difference when the Hammers played scintillating soccer for the first 20 minutes. The Millers then got more into the swing of things, and Alan Kirkman put them in front half-a-minute before the interval. Tony Scott centred for Geoff Hurst to head an equaliser nine minutes after the restart, but following this the homesters were awarded two penalties. Ken Houghton missed the first, but Ken Waterhouse made no mistake with the second. The final blow came three minutes from time, with Don Weston making it 3-1 in the Yorkshire club's favour.

19 October 1962

PETER BRABROOK signs from CHELSEA for £35,000

20 October 1962 BOBBY MOORE 7th ENGLAND cap Northern Ireland Home Championship Windsor Park, Belfast 3-1

BURNLEY : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Hurst)

22 October 1962

Att: 34,612

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Peters

Brabrook

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

PETER BRABROOK makes his Hammers debut against BURNLEY at Upton Park

As Alex Elder and Jimmy Mcllroy were playing for Northern Ireland v. England in Belfast on the previous Saturday, Burnley claimed the right to postpone their match at Upton Park on that day; they were able to do so then because ‘two’ players would have been absent for their First Division engagement. The Hammers only had one player engaged in the international Bobby Moore. However, Burnley were without Mcllroy for the fixture here, as he pulled a muscle in Belfast and two days later had not recovered from the mishap. Furthermore their transport was delayed on its way from Central London, and they only just managed to avoid a late kick-off. Further misfortune struck the Lancashire club as Geoff Hurst netted a first-minute rebound, but the Clarets were again on terms when Jimmy Robson equalised prior to the interval. A fine tussle played in a sporting fashion enthralled the 34,612 attendance on this beautiful Monday evening, which marked the first home appearance of Peter Brabrook as a Hammer. He had been transferred from Chelsea three days earlier.

MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League First Division

Old Trafford

1 - 3 (Musgrove)

27 October 1962

Att: 29,419

Leslie

Burkett

Lyall

Peters

Brown

Peters

Brabrook

Woosnam

Sealey

Byrne

Musgrove

Image courtesy of Richard Miller

BOLTON WANDERERS : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 2 (Moore)

3 November 1962

Att: 19,885

Leslie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Peters

Brabrook

Woosnam

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

A disappointing Saturday afternoon, as we lost at home to lowly-placed Bolton Wanderers by 2-1 in a First Division fixture; this was the game in which Lawrie Leslie broke his leg as the Wanderers netted their second - Martin Peters took over between the sticks.

LEICESTER CITY : Football League First Division

Filbert Street

0 - 2

10 November 1962

Att: 21,064

Dickie

Bond

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Byrne

Hurst

Musgrove

FULHAM : Football League First Division

Upton Park

2 - 2 (Hurst, Peters [pen])

17 November 1962

Att: 17,668

Dickie

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Hurst

Scott

A “relegation zone” loacl derby against Fulham was the fare provided at Upton Park on this day in 1962. The Cottagers were two points ahead of neighburs Orient (the bottom-placed club) with the Hammers one more point to our credit. It was a game we might have made sure of in the early stages, but ‘keeper Tony Macedo was largely responsible for holding us to a 2-2 draw.

19 November 1962

JIM STANDEN joins the Hammers

After four trips to watch Scottish goalkeepers West Ham chief Ron Greenwood made the short journey to Luton on Tuesday to sign ex-Arsenal club-mate Jim Standen. The Hatters’ reserve, as replacement for the injured Lawrie Leslie. Commented Greenwood on his Scottish travels “We wanted to be quite certain before we made a move. We knew aout Jim and it was just a question ofwhether there was anybody as good in Scotland. St Johnstone’s Ower is highly-promising but not ready yet, so we got Standen. Though Greenwood had wide experience of Standen’s abilities when he was at Highbury, he again took no chances. Reserve team mentor Ernie Gregory watched Standen two weeks ago and another West Ham scout covered him last week. Both must have been impressed, since Standen has kept his goal intact in the last five Luton reserve matches. Hammers paid £6,000 for Standen who is a pace bowler with Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the summer. West Ham report that there will be no difficulties over this dual loyalty, Standen will put soccer first. The ex-Arsenal playerkept goal for the second half of Hammers friendly win at Romford. Will he play at Hillsborough on Saturday? “We’ll see” is Greenwood cryptic answer.

21 November 1962

BOBBY MOORE 8th ENGLAND cap

Wales European Championship Qualifier Wembley Stadium 4-0

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY : Football League First Division

Hillsborough

3 - 1 (Peters [pen], Brabrook, Scott)

24 November 1962

Att: 21,762

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Hurst

Scott

JIM STANDEN makes his Hammers dedut against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough

WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Football League First Division

Upton Park

2 - 2 (Hurst, Moore)

1 December 1962

Att: 20,769

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Hurst

Scott

EVERTON : Football League First Division

Goodison Park

1 - 1 (Brabrook)

8 December 1962

Att: 38,701

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Byrne

Scott

Image courtesy of Richard Miller

12 December 1962

MUSGROVES MOVES ON

Orient pay £11,000 for West Ham Winger

The last act of the Malcolm Musgrove £11,000 transfer serial was played at West Ham today, when the twenty-eight-year-old left-winger signed for Leyton Orient. So Musgrove ended a nine-year spell at Upton Park and is the first capture of the season for bottom of the table Orient. “Thank goodness it’s all over,” said Musgrove, who earier this week turned down chances to join Fulham and Peterborough as player-manager. Then he was rushed to the Orient headquarters to greet his new collegaues and join in the daily training spell under the supervosion of manager Johnny Carey.

ASTON VILLA : Football League First Division

Upton Park

1 - 1 (Peters)

15 December 1962

Att: 21,529

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Byrne

Scott

Phil Woosnam made a quick return to Upton Park after he had been transferred to Aston Villa a month earlier. The Hammers were disappointing, and failed to reproduce the excellent form they were showing away from home. Although the respective centre-halves were both playing well, each side persisted with futile down-the-middle attacks instead of making use of their capable wingers. To cap it all, Martin Peters missed a penalty prior to scoring a couple of minutes before half-time; but the 21,529 fans had little to cheer about even after Bobby Thompson equalised in the 63rd minute. Overall, it was a fair result.

17 December 1962

BOBBY BARNES (1980-1985) Born this day Kingston, Surrey

Fast, skilful flank-man with the ability to take on and beat opponents, he scored on his League debut v. Watford in September 1980. Won an extended run in the First XI during Hammers' injury crisis of 1983-84, and staked a regular claim in 1984-85. A member of the Youth Cup winning team of 1981, he also had England Youth honours. Had a spell on loan to Scunthorpe United in 1985-86 season before being transferred to Aldershot for £15,000 in March 1986 He was an immediate success, scoring 26 goals in 49 league games and helping Aldershot to promotion through the first ever Third Division play-offs in 1987. In October 1987 he moved to Second Division side Swindon Town for a fee of £50,000 and went on to make 40 league appearances, scoring 13 goals. Later had spells with AFC Bournemouth, Northampton Town where he recorded 37 strikes in 98 appearances for teh Cobblers before going on to Peterborough United. He then joined Partick Thistle in February 1994, left the Jags after 6 games to play for Hong Kong Rangers and Frankwell in the former colony of the British Empire. After retiring in 1996, he joined the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA). In 2006 he was Assistant Chief Executive of the PFA.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League First Division

White Hart Lane

4 - 4 (Boyce, Kirkup, Peters, Scott)

22 December 1962

Att: 44,650

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Byrne

Scott

Bad weather was already hitting at match schedules, but 44,650 fans were at White Hart Lane to see Spurs v Hammers. Our team had won one and drawn four of its preceding League fixtures, and Spurs were challenging for the Championship. Our run looked like ending as the North Londoners went two up, but Martin Peters reduced the arrears before half-time. The second half was a different story; Joe Kirkup put one in from six yards after Bill Brown had parried a 25-yard shot from Martin Peters; Ron Boyce got our third (to make it 3-3) and we then went ahead as Tony Scott scored. Alas, with 30 seconds to go Dave Mackay completed his hat-trick, so his team "saved face" and the Hammers' fans went home satisfied if not deliriously happy!

NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football League First Division

Upton Park

26 December 1962

Match Postponed

Rare postponed programme Auction Price: May 2009 £70

NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football League First Division

City Ground

4 - 3 (Brabrook 2, Byrne, [og])

29 December 1962

Att: 18,660

Standen

Kirkup

Burkett

Peters

Brown

Moore

Brabrook

Boyce

Sealey

Byrne

Scott

Our Boxing Day fixture v Nottingham Forest had to be postponed because of bad weather, but we were able to visit the City ground for the "return" First Division fixture three days later. One win and five draws from our previous six fixtures brought obvious respect from the Forest side; however, Hammers' early opener came from an own goal by Bobby McKinlay. It inspired the Midlanders to recover and lead by 2-1 at the interval; but the Hammers were not to be denied, and we emerged as 4-3 winners in a match where the participants overcame the handicap of a treacherous playing-surface.

It was to be our last League engagement for six weeks - until we visited Sheffield United on February 16. Indeed, we did not play a competitive fixture at First Team level during January, as the weather was too bad even for the F.A. Cup ties.

The Big Freeze of 1963