WEST HAM UNITED
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FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES
A Pictorial History
Steve Marsh & Stuart Allen
1903-04 Southern League : First Division
Manager: Syd King
West Ham United
1903-04
The directors of West Ham were seriously concerned about the financial situation of the club at the beginning of the season. It had lost £900 in the past two seasons and had an overdraft of £770 and assets of less than £200. The main problem was a decline in season ticket sales.
West Ham lost their prolific scorer, Billy Grassam, to Manchester United before the start of the season. Dick Pudan, a local lad from Canning Town, who had played well at full-back the previous season, left for Bristol Rovers. He later went on to play for Newcastle United in the 1908 FA Cup Final.
Syd King, the new manager, brought in Charles Satterthwaite from New Brompton to replace Grassam. William Kirby, a right-winger who had a good scoring record, was signed from Swindon Town. Tommy Allison was brought in from Reading to bolster the defence. Herbert Lyon, a forward, also joined from Reading. Len Jarvis, a talented local boy, was also brought into the team.
The first game of the season was away to Millwall. Both the new forwards, Charles Satterthwaite and William Kirby scored but West Ham still lost 4-2. This was the story of the season, Satterthwaite and Kirby scored 29 goals between them but they could not stop West Ham from losing 17 of their 34 games.
The Hammers did better in the FA Cup, beating Brighton & Hove Albion, Clapton Orient and Chatham Town in the first three rounds. However, they lost 1-0 to Fulham in the 4th round in front of 12,000 people. This was West Ham's largest crowds of the season.
Attendances at games, compared to their close rivals, remained disappointing. West Ham began to verge on the edge of bankruptcy and by the end of the season the club only had had the money to pay the wages of one professional player, Tommy Allison, during the summer.
Arnold Hills was also having financial problems and was unwilling to re-negotiate a rental agreement to use the Memorial Grounds that was acceptable to West Ham United. The club was forced to find another sponsor. A local brewery agreed to advance them a loan to help them purchase a new ground.
Syd King was given the task to find West Ham a new home. It was suggested that he should take a look at Boleyn Castle field, just off Green Street, East Ham. The land was owned by the Catholic Ecclesiastical Authorities and used by the Boleyn Castle Roman Catholic Reformatory School.
A deal was arranged with the Catholic Ecclesiastical Authorities but the Home Office made it clear that they did not approve of the land being used by West Ham United. Syd King went to see Sir Ernest Gray, an influential Member of Parliament. As King later explained, "through his good offices, subject to certain conditions, we were finally allowed to take possession of Boleyn Castle".
14 August 1903
FRED NORRIS (1928-1933) Born this day Aston, Birmingham
Frederick Harold Norris was a man of many parts, occupying all the outfield positions for Hammers with the exception of inside - and outside-left, with equal success. Initially making his mark as an inside-right with Adelaide F.C. in the Birmingham Victorian League, his next move was to sign professional forms for Halesowen F.C. He transferred to Midland giants Aston Villa in 1925 and after three seasons at Villa Park changed his club (but not his colours) when he joined Irons. Fred made his West Ham debut against Cardiff City in a 2-3 defeat at Ninian Park on the 10 September 1928. Despite his versatility, West Ham considered right-half to be Fred's best position, although his appearances there were restricted by the presence of the great Jimmy Collins. Not to be denied, Fred scored a celebrated hat-trick while playing in the forward-line against Oldham Athletic at Upton Park in October 1932, and later continued his career with Crystal Palace.
MILLWALL ATHLETIC : Southern League
North Greenwich 2 - 4 (Kirby, Satterwaite) 5 September 1903 Att: 10,0
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
CHARLES COTTON, ERNEST WATTS, WILLIAM KIRBY, HERBERT LYON, WILLIAM INGHAM and CHARLES SCATTERWAITE
ll make their Hammers debut against MILLWALL ATHLETIC
KETTERING TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 4 - 1 (Lyon 2, Allison, Bigden) 7 September 1903 Att: 11,000
Cotton, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Butchart, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
TOMMY ALLISON and J. BUTCHART both make their Hammers debut against KETTERING TOWN
QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 1 - 0 (Satterthwaite) 12 September 1903 Att: 6,000
Cotton, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Butchart, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE : Southern League
Home Park 0 - 2 19 September 1903 Att: 5,000
Cotton, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Butchart, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
LUTON TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 0 - 0 24 September 1903 Att: 3,000
Cotton, Eccles, Mapley, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Hilsdon, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
PERCY MAPLEY and JACK HILSDON both make their Hammers debut against LUTON TOWN
READING : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 1 - 1 (Satterthwaite) 26 September 1903 Att: 10,000
Cotton, Eccles, Fair, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Lyon, Ingham, Satterthwaite, Barnes
28 September 1903 JIMMY COLLINS (1923-1932) Born this day Brentford Middlesex James Frederick Arthur Collins, affectionately referred to by the fans as "Lottie" after the famous music-hall artiest. One of the longest serving players in the club's history. Jim first played at the Boleyn Ground in 1917 as captain of East Ham Boys, and the same year was chosen to represent England against Scotland; but as the game was cancelled, never received his schools cap. Modelling his game on his idol, Syd Puddefoot, he soon put that disappointment behind him, and after doing the rounds with Chelmsford, Clapton and Leyton, signed amateur forms for Hammers in 1921. Two years later he was elevated to full professional status, and the following season made his First Division debut against Tottenham Hotspur at Upton Park in a 0-0 draw on the 9 February 1924. Owing to the abundance of forward talent at West Ham in those days, his baptism versus the North Londoners was to be one of his few appearances in the front line, as he converted to wing-half to win a regular place. He made the switch well enough to make 160 consecutive appearances until a cartilage injury ended the run. A measure of his worth can be gleaned from the fact that he was one of the comparatively few professionals retained after Iron's disastrous relegation season of 1931-32; going on to appear in the gallant F.A. Cup Semi-Final defeat to Everton at Molineux the next season. As well as being a keen motorist (he claimed to be the first West Ham player to own a car in 1921).
BRISTOL ROVERS : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 1 - 4 (Watts) 10 October 1903 Att: 5,000
Cotton, Eccles, Mapley, Bigden, Watts, Allison, Kirby, Bridgeman, Lyon, Barnes, Earl
WILLIAM BRIDGEMAN and ARTHUR EARL both make their Hammers debut against BRISTOL ROVERS
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : Southern League
Goldstone Ground 2 - 3 (Fair, Sattherwaite) 17 October 1903 Att: 4,000
Cotton, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Fair, Satterthwaite, Barnes
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : FA Cup Third Qualifying Round
Memorial Grounds 4 - 0 (Lyon 2, Satterthwaite, Watts) 31 October 1903 Att: 5,000
Cotton, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
BRENTFORD : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 0 - 1 7 November 1903 Att: 2,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Bigden, Blythe, Kirby, Birnie, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
ALEXANDER BIRNIE makes his Hammers debut against BRENTFORD
9 November 1903
ROBERT WEALE (1925-1926) Born this day Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales
A former Welsh Schoolboy international, Robert Henry Weale was a tricky outside-right who filled the place vacated by Bill Edwards in the London Combination side when the latter stepped up to the First Team. Weale was later given a taste of First Division football, but after making-up his debut versus Notts County in a 1-0 victory at Upton Park on the 10 October 1925, made only two further League appearances before joining Swindon Town in June 1927. His form must have improved dramatically at the County Ground, for in December 1928 Southampton paid a club record £1,000 to take him to The Dell. Later played for Cardiff City, Boston Town, Guildford City, Newport County, Wrexham, Glentoran and finally in 1936 Bath City.
CLAPTON : FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round
Old Spotted Dog Ground 3 - 0 (Lyon 2, Satterthwaite) 14 November 1903 Att: 4,500
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Southern League
White Hart Lane 1 - 2 (Kirby) 21 November 1903 Att: 8,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
CHATHAM UNITED : FA Cup Fifth Qualifying Round
Maidstone Road 5 - 0 (Satterthwaite 3, Kirby, Lyon) 28 November 1903 Att: 5,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
NEW BROMPTON : Southern League
Priestfield Stadium 0 - 0 5 December 1903 Att: 4,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Lyon, Satterthwaite, Barnes
FULHAM : FA Cup (Intermediate Round)
Memorial Grounds 0 - 1 12 December 1903 Att: 12,000
Griffiths
Eccles
Mapley
Allison
Watts
Blyth
Birnie
Bigden
Lyon
Scatterthwaite
Kirbyx
Rhymester
Albert Craig was commonly known as The Surrey Poet, although he never used the term himself, instead signing his pieces as "A.C. Cricket Rhymester".
Albert would attend cricket and football matches to write verses and short essays describing the players and events, then had them printed on broadsheets and sold to the crowd.
His poetry was not renowned for any literary merit but he was a popular and well-known figure, thanks to his good nature and his ready wit.
SOUTHAMPTON : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 2 - 1 (Kirby, Satterthwaite) 25 December 1903 Att: 10,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Kirby, Bigden, Bridgeman, Satterthwaite, Barnes
PORTSMOUTH : Southern League
Fratton Park 1 - 2 (Barnes) 26 December 1903 Att: 14,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Bridgeman, Bigden, Kirby, Satterthwaite, Barnes
FULHAM : Southern League
Memorial Grounds 2 - 0 (Kirby, Satterthwaite) 28 December 1903 Att: 2,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Mapley, Allison, Watts, Blythe, Bridgeman, Bigden, Kirby, Satterthwaite, Barnes
SECOND-HALF
WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
3 - 0 (Barnes, Davidson, Grassam)
10 January 1903
Att: 4,000
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
BRISTOL ROVERS : Southern League
Stapleton Road
1 - 1 (Wallace)
17 January 1903
Att: 4,000
Griffiths, King, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
NORTHAMPTON TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
3 - 2 (Davidson, Grassam, Wallace)
17 January 1903
Att: 4,000
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
WATFORD : Southern League
Cassio Road
1 - 2 (Campbell)
31 January 1903
Att: 5,000
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
BRENTFORD : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
2 - 0 (Grassam 2)
7 February 1903
Att: 3,000
Griffiths, Fair, Dow, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
1 - 0 (Wallace)
14 February 1903
Att: 8,000
Griffiths, Fair, Dow, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Campbell, Grassam, Davidson, Wallace, Barnes
The absence of "Woodward, Kirwan and Copeland no doubt weakened the Spurs' attack, but Gilhooly, Fredericks, and Chalmers were excellent substitutes, and the Hotspurs will do well to give the Chelmsford man some further trials. The home team were alll good, and there was not a really weak spot in the team, all playing well up to the mark. Blythe was the best man on the field, and the work he got through was tremendous. Barnes, too, has seldom played, a better game; while Wallace, Yenson, and Fair improve week by week. Wallace's goal was a good one, but Barnes deserves the credit for it. Dow, who turned out for Eccles, was in great form, and on one occasion saved his side when Griffiths was all but 'beaten, the ball being hooked out over his head for a corner. In fact, he played with dogged determination all through, and was very nearly, if not quite, the best back on the field. Griffiths, Bigden, Davidson, Grassam, and Campbell were all in their usual form, and little fault could be found with any one, only Campbell will take the ball back instead of forward.
On the Spurs side their halves shone up in brilliant style; in fact, they were the best three I have seen on the ground this season; while Tait played a resolute game at back, and was ably supported by Watson previous to the latter's injury, Chalmers and Dryburgh were both in good form on the extreme wings; but Cameron was decidedly below par; while I have seen Gilhooly play many a better game. Clawley was safe, and on two occasions cleared in marvellous style.
NEW BROMPTON : Southern League
Priestfield Stadium
0 - 2
7 March 1903
Att: 7,000
Griffiths, Fair, Dow, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Miecznikowski, Grassam, Farrell, Wallace, Barnes
WALTER MIECZNIKOWSKI makes his Hammers debut against NEW BROMPTON at the Priestfield Stadium
SWINDON TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
1 - 1 (Farrell)
14 March 1903
Att: 4,000
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Grassam, Farrell, Wallace, Barnes
NEW BROMPTON : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
1 - 1 (Farrell)
23 March 1903
Att: 1,000
Griffiths, Dow, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Farrell, Grassam, Wallace, Barnes
LUTON TOWN : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
1 - 1 (Grassam 2, Bigden, Farrell)
28 March 1903
Att: 800
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Farrell, Grassam, Wallace, Barnes
SWINDON TOWN : Southern League
County Ground
1 - 1 (Grassam)
4 April 1903
Att: 2,500
Biggar, Eccles, King, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Grassam, Farrell, Wallace, Barnes
PORTSMOUTH : Southern League
Memorial Grounds
1 - 1 (Grassam [pen])
10 April 1903
Att: 10,000
Griffiths, Fair, Eccles, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Farrell, Grassam, Wallace, Barnes
SOUTHAMPTON : Southern League
The Dell
0 - 6
13 April 1903
Att: 6,000
Biggar, Eccles, Dow, Bigden, Yenson, Blythe, McAteer, Farrell, Grassam, Wallace, Campbell
KETTERING TOWN : Southern League
Rockingham Road
1 - 1 (Bush)
15 April 1903
Att: 2,000
Biggar, Yenson, King, Bigden, Kelly, Parkinson, Bush, Farrell, Grassam, Wallace, Miecznikowski
HARRY PARKINSON and ROBERT BUSH both make their Hammers debut against KETTERING TOWN at Rockingham Road
LUTON TOWN : Southern League
Dunstable Road
0 - 4
18 April 1903
Att: 2,000
Griffiths, Eccles, Fair, Bigden, McAteer, Blythe, Miecznikowski, Bush, Evans, Wallace, Barnes
ROGER EVANS makes his Hammers debut against LUTON TOWN at Dunstable Road
MILLWALL ATHLETIC : Southern League
North Greenwich
1 - 2 (Grassam)
25 April 1903
Att: 3,000
Biggar, Eccles, Dow, Parkinson, Yenson, Blythe, Allan, Bigden, Grassam, Wallace, Barnes