1904-05 Southern League : First Division

Manager: Syd King

West Ham United

1904-05

Improvements undertaken at the Boleyn Castle ground were not finished by the time the season started. Even so, 10,000 were able to watch the first home game against Millwall on 1 September, 1904. West Ham won the game 3-0 with Billy Bridgeman, scoring two of the goals with Jack Flynn being officially being given recognition for scoring the Hammers third goal, however a newspaper reports of the time has since thrown doubt over Flynn’s goal by crediting inside-forward Jack Fletcher as the goalscorer. There was a covered grandstand holding 2,000 people on one side of the ground and opposite was a covered terrace which could hold 3,000. After a poor showing the previous season only five players were retained. Among the new recruits were goalkeeper Matt Kingsley, full-backs Tommy Bamlett and Dave Gardner, half-back Frank Piercy and forwards Chris Carrick and Charlie Simmons.

The improved form continued with only one defeat in the first seven games. Both Luton and Swindon had been beaten 2-0, with Jack Fletcher scoring in both games. Fletcher was the man in form and so it proved when he grabbed a hat-trick in the 4-0 home victory with Wellingborough. After beating Plymouth 2–1 in November the team were in fourth place in the table and looking for a successful campaign. What followed was a disastrous run of eight consecutive defeats with only one goal scored. Six of those defeats were by 1-0, which indicated that it was the forwards who were to blame. During that period the Hammers were also knocked out of the FA Cup after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

In late January things turned for the better when visitors Luton Town were thrashed 6-2, with Chris Carrick scoring a hat-trick. An improved run gave only one defeat in six games (albeit the defeat was by 3-0 away to bottom of the league Wellingborough). Following a 2-0 home defeat to Reading in early April the team were third from bottom. However, in the remaining five games there were three wins and two draws, resulting in an improved final position of 11th. Off the field there had been success, as the move to the Boleyn Ground had attracted bigger crowds and increased revenue.

18 June 1904

TOMMY BAMLETT signs from NEWCASTLE UNITED

JOHN RUSSELL signs from EVERTON

JACK FLETCHER signs from READING

WILLIAM McCARTNEY signs from MANCHESTER UNITED

CHARLES SIMMONS signs from WEST BROMWICH ALBION

23 June 1904

JACK FLYNN signs from READING

25 June 1904

FRANK PIERCY signs from MIDDLESBROUGH

10 July 1904

THOMAS TIPPETT (1933-1935) Born this day Gateshead, Tyne & Wear

Hailing from the north east, Thomas Tippett worked as a blacksmith whilst playing for a number of Tyneside Junior teams including Twizzell United before turning professional with Craghead United in the North-Eastern League. He had spells with Middlesbrough and Newcastle United as well as having trials with Stoke City and Grimsby Town. Tippett began his Football League career with Doncaster Rovers making 31 appearances and scoring 4 goals. Later transferred to Rochdale where he chalked up 47 goals in 70 League appearances including scoring 6 goals against Hartlepools United in a Third Division North fixture on 21st April 1930. His goal feats attracted the attentions of Port Vale whom he signed in June 1931. He was criticized for his lack of goals at Vale, scoring eight in 31 Second Division games in the 1931-32 campaign. Tippett fell ill in August 1932 and failed to regain his first team spot, scoring three goals in only nine league and cup games in the 1932–33 season. He left The Old Recreation Ground and transferred to West Ham United in May 1933 at the age of 28. Made his Hammers bow against Bolton Wanderers in the opening fixture of the 1933-34 campaign in a 4-2 victory at Upton Park, 26 August. An all-round sportsman, his direct style of wing-play made him an able deputy for England international Johnny Morton. He remained in east London for three seasons, although he was only a regular for the first of these, notching eight goals in 22 games. In all, he would score ten times in claret and blue, having appeared in 28 matches.

13 July 1904

DAVE GARDNER signs from GRIMSBY TOWN

16 August 1904

ALFRED CHALKLEY (1931-1944) Born this day Plaistow, London

The product of a well-known footballing family - both of his brothers played the game. A goalscoring outside-left in schools soccer, young Alf was capped for England Boys against Scotland at Liverpool in 1917. There was to be a long gap between that early success and his signing for West Ham United in 1931, with Army duty as an Artilleryman taking up much of the intervening years. After impressing in a trial game, Alf played one League match as an amateur before signing professional forms for the 1931-32 season. Alfred Chalkley made his Hammers debut in the 1-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers at Burnden Park on 29 August 1931, he was converted to the full-back position, he had to curb his goalscoring bent, although his solitary league goal for Hammers was a remarkable one. It came in a rearranged League match against Manchester City at Upton Park on Wednesday 2 March 1932. In a fixture which also marked the reappearance of Syd Puddefoot after a ten year absence, Alf kicked the ball from near his own penalty-area, and his intended clearance sailed over the head of the Mancunians' goalkeeper Langford for the only goal of the game! Although major honours passed him by, Alf did represent the London Combination on three occasions. Chalkley's last first team appearance was against Fulham in November 1936, although he was a regular member of West Ham's London Combination side up until January 1944.

MILLWALL ATHLETIC : Southern League

Upton Park

3 - 0 (Bridgeman 2, Flynn)

1 September 1904

Att: 10,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

1/2

MATTHEW KINGSLEY, TOMMY BAMLETT, DAVID GARDNER, FRANK PIERCY, JOHN RUSSELL, WILLIAM McCARTNEY, JACK FLETCHER, CHARLES SIMMONS and JACK FLYNN all make their Hammers debuts against MILLWALL

BRENTFORD : Southern League

Griffin Park

0 - 0

3 September 1904

Att: 7,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Southern League

Upton Park

1 - 3 (Allison [pen])

10 September 1904

Att: 14,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

MILLWALL ATHLETIC : Southern League

North Greenwich

1 - 1 (Fletcher)

17 September 1904

Att: 10,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Southern League

Upton Park

0 - 0

24 September 1904

Att: 16,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

LUTON TOWN : Southern League

Dunstable Road

2 - 0 (Bridgeman, Fletcher)

1 October 1904

Att: 4,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

8 October 1904

WALLY ST. PIER (1929-1932) Born this day Beacontree Heath, Essex

A Reserve Team centre-half who spent most of his playing days as understudy to Jim Barrett, but went on to serve West Ham United for 47 years as Chief Scout to become the greatest "star-finder" in the club's history. Among his many discoveries with the help of his vast scouting network were the legendary trio of Moore, Hurst and Peters. His first amateur club was Eagle Park F.C., but Wally arrived at the Boleyn from Ilford F.C. in April 1929 after selection for Essex County, the Isthmian League and F.A. XI's. He made his First Division bow at right-half against Leicester City at Upton Park in a 1-2 defeat on the 12 October 1929, numbering four senior outings that campaign. The most appearances he managed in any one season was seven. It was when he retired from playing and was appointed Chief Scout by his manager a good friend Charlie Paynter that he found his true forte. Beginning as a steady trickle, the flow of talent he brought to the club reached it's crescendo in the Sixties and Seventies, and was evident in all Hammers' Cup triumphs over that period. Given a well-deserved Testimonial Evening in May 1975 (when many of his "finds" turned out to play). Wally retired the following year after a lifetime of loyal service.

SWINDON TOWN : Southern League

Upton Park

2 - 0 (Flynn, Fletcher)

8 October 1904

Att: 6,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Jarvis, Russell, Carrick, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

CHRISTOPHER CARRICK makes his Hammers debut against SWINDON TOWN

NEW BROMPTON : Southern League

Priestfield Stadium

0 - 3

15 October 1904

Att: 7,000

Kingsley, Fair, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, Carrick, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN : Southern League

Upton Park

4 - 0 (Fletcher 3, Flynn)

22 October 1904

Att: 5,000

Kingsley, Milnes, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

FREDERICK MILNES makes his Hammers debut against WELLINGBOROUGH TOWN

SOUTHAMPTON : Southern League

The Dell

2 - 2 (Bridgeman, McCartney)

29 October 1904

Att: 4,000

Kingsley, Milnes,Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

FULHAM : Southern League

Upton Park

0 - 0

5 November 1904

Att: 8,000

Kingsley, Milnes,Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

13 November 1904

PETER SIMPSON (1935-1937) Born this day Leith, Scotland

Simpson made his first team bow in the opening fixture of the 1935-36 campaign against Norwich City at Carrow Road in a 3-4 defeat on the 31 August 1935, this was Canneries first League game on their new ground following the Norfolk's club's move from their previous ground The Nest. Although he failed to get on the score-sheet on his debut, Peter gave a good return for the modest fee paid to Crystal Palace by Hammers for his services, being equally at home in any of the forward positions. Began his career with St. Bernards, where he had two seasons before joining Kettering Town. Palace had signed him with four other players from Kettering in June 1929; he was the most successful of the quintet and scored six goals against Exeter City in the Glaziers 7-2 win in April 1930. Simpson transferred to Reading 10 November 1937.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE : Southern League

Upton Park

2 - 1 (Simmons 2)

19 November 1904

Att: 10,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Jarvis, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Simmons, Bridgeman, Carrick, Flynn

20 November 1904

JACK LANDELLS (1933-1934) Born this day Gateshead, Tyneside

Although he was born in the North-East, Jack played all his football in the South after his family moved to Essex. He spent his formative years in that county and gained experience with local sides Thames Board Mills, Jurgens, Grays Athletic and Grays Thurrock F.C. He then joined Millwall and had eight years at the Den, winning F.A. honours. Making the short journey across the Thames to sign for Irons in the summer of 1932, he made his Second Division bow against Bolton Wanderers on the opening day of the 1933-34 season at Upton Park in a 4-2 victory. A scheming inside-forward, Jack transferred to Bristol City in 1934. In June 1935, he moved on to Carlisle United and the following summer joined Walsall. He was back in London with Clapton Orient in June 1937. After hanging up his boots he acted as Midlands scout for Arsenal.

BRISTOL ROVERS : Southern League

Upton Park

0 - 2

26 November 1904

Att: 7,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Simmons, Bridgeman, Carrick, Flynn

READING : Southern League

Elm Park

0 - 1

3 December 1904

Att: 5,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Simmons, Bridgeman, Fletcher, Flynn

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : FA Cup (Sixth Qualifying Round)

Upton Park 1 - 2 (Flynn) 10 December 1904 Att: 6,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Fletcher, Bridgeman, Simmons, Flynn

17 December 1904

JOHN BLACKWOOD signs from QUEENS PARK RANGERS

NORTHAMPTON TOWN : Southern League

County Ground 0 - 1 17 December 1904 Att: 4,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Simmons, Bridgeman, Fletcher, Flynn

NORTHAMPTON TOWN : Southern League

County Ground 0 - 1 17 December 1904 Att: 4,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Russell, McCartney, Simmons, Bridgeman, Fletcher, Flynn

22 December 1904

GEORGE NEIL (1900-01) Died this day Southend-on-Sea, Essex (aged 30)

Thames Ironworks career: (1898-99) Appearances: 3, Goals 0

West Ham United career: Appearances: 1, Goals 0

PORTSMOUTH : Southern League

Fratton Park

1 - 4 (Blackwood) 26 December 1904 Att: 16,000

Kingsley, Bamlett, Fair, Allison, Piercy, Jarvis, Hamilton, Fletcher, Blackwood, Simmons, Flynn

JOHN HAMILTON and JOHN BLACKWOOD both make their Hammers debut against PORTSMOUTH

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : Southern League

Upton Park 0 - 1 27 December 1904 Att: 12,000

Kingsley, Fair, Gardner, Brunton, Piercy, Jarvis, Hamilton, Fletcher, Blackwood, Simmons, Flynn

FRED BRUNTON makes his Hammers debut against BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

BRENTFORD : Southern League

Upton Park 0 - 1 31 December 1904 Att: 8,000

Cotton, Bamlett, Gardner, Allison, Piercy, Jarvis, McCartney, Hamilton, Blackwood, Simmons, Flynn

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