West Ham United F.C. 1922-1923
Encyclopedia
Major new signings brought in by manager Syd King
included inside-left Billy Moore
and inside-right Charlie Crossley from First Division
clubs Sunderland
and Everton
. He also raided fellow Second Division
teams, bringing in wingers Billy Charlton from South Shields
and Dick Richards
from Wolverhampton Wanderers
.
A disastrous start to their Division Two campaign saw West Ham win just three, and lose seven of their opening 15 fixtures.
West Ham suffered their two biggest defeats of the season in consecutive away games. They lost to Blackpool
4-1 in the meeting on 21 October 1922 and a week later to Leeds United 3-1. Billy Moore scored the only West Ham goals in both games.
11 November 1922 saw West Ham face Leeds United at home and they managed to keep a clean sheet, the game ending 0-0. This game was the start of a 32 game league and cup run that would see West Ham lose only once, in their home game against Manchester United
on Boxing Day
.
West Ham's biggest win of the seaon came away to Leicester City
on 15 February 1923 with the Hammers securing an emphatic 6-0 win. Billy Moore scored a hat-trick
, with the other goals coming from Dick Richards, Jimmy Ruffell
and Jack Tresadern
.
The first fruits of this long run of good form was West Ham's presence in their first major cup final. In the first ever FA Cup
Final to be held at the newly-built Wembley Stadium, it is thought that a quarter of a million people converged on a ground that had the capacity for half of that, to see West Ham play Bolton Wanderers
.
The match, that became known as the White Horse Final, kicked off 45 minutes late with thousands of fans standing on the touchlines. West Ham were 1-0 down within six minutes. Jack Tresadern entered the crowd to retrieve the ball and before he could return to the pitch Bolton had profited from the numerical advantage and taken the lead, with a header from David Jack
. After a half-time break which had seen the players remain on the pitch, West Ham's only chance of the game came as Dick Richards swung a chest-high cross from the right wing for Vic Watson
who had his shot saved and held by Bolton goalkeeper Dick Pym
. Soon after, Bolton secured their victory with a goal from John Smith. There were so many bodies pressing up behind the goal that the ball instantly rebounded out and many had mistakenly thought that the ball had just hit a post. All subsequent FA Cup Finals were all-ticket.
Two days after the cup final, West Ham put their disappointment aside and travelled north to face Sheffield Wednesday
. West Ham earned what was considered a "brave" 2-0 win. This put them back on top of Division Two on goal difference, with only one game left to play. West Ham's final day 1-0 loss to eventual champions Notts County
was irrelevant, as fellow challengers Leicester City fell at the last hurdle, losing to Bury
.
"The news of Leicester's loss was signalled from the veranda of the director's pavilion whilst a fierce struggle was going on around the Notts goal. Immediately there was a cheer, which swelled into a mighty roar as it was taken up by the crowd all around the ground. For the moment the players were confounded and the play seemed to hang in suspense, but immediately the loss of enthusiasm became apparent - it was a thrilling scene. An interesting touch was added when Donald Cock
, the Notts County centre, found the opportunity on the field to shake hands with George Kay, the West Ham captain." - 'Corinthian', The Daily Graphic
Both clubs had ensured promotion, and West Ham would be appearing in the First Division for the first time in their history.
Vic Watson
finished the season as top scorer with 27 goals in league and cup games. Billy Moore was the only ever-present player, finishing the season with 51 appearances.
Syd King
Ernest Sydney "Syd" King was a footballer and manager, and one of the most important figures in the early history of West Ham United.-Playing career:...
included inside-left Billy Moore
Billy Moore
Billy Moore may refer to:*Billy Moore , Australian rugby league footballer*Billy Moore , Welsh dual-code rugby player*Billy Moore , English footballer-See also:...
and inside-right Charlie Crossley from First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
clubs Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
. He also raided fellow Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
teams, bringing in wingers Billy Charlton from South Shields
Gateshead F.C.
Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager....
and Dick Richards
Dick Richards (footballer)
Richard 'Dick' William Richards was a Welsh footballer. Richards was born in Glyncorrwg and he played as an amateur for Bronygarth, Chirk and Oswestry United...
from Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
.
A disastrous start to their Division Two campaign saw West Ham win just three, and lose seven of their opening 15 fixtures.
West Ham suffered their two biggest defeats of the season in consecutive away games. They lost to Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
4-1 in the meeting on 21 October 1922 and a week later to Leeds United 3-1. Billy Moore scored the only West Ham goals in both games.
11 November 1922 saw West Ham face Leeds United at home and they managed to keep a clean sheet, the game ending 0-0. This game was the start of a 32 game league and cup run that would see West Ham lose only once, in their home game against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
on Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
.
West Ham's biggest win of the seaon came away to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
on 15 February 1923 with the Hammers securing an emphatic 6-0 win. Billy Moore scored a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
, with the other goals coming from Dick Richards, Jimmy Ruffell
Jimmy Ruffell
Jimmy Ruffell was an English footballer who played for West Ham United.Ruffell was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, but moved south at an early age...
and Jack Tresadern
Jack Tresadern
John "Jack" Tresadern was an English professional footballer and football manager. He played twice for the England national side.-Playing career:...
.
The first fruits of this long run of good form was West Ham's presence in their first major cup final. In the first ever FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
Final to be held at the newly-built Wembley Stadium, it is thought that a quarter of a million people converged on a ground that had the capacity for half of that, to see West Ham play Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
.
The match, that became known as the White Horse Final, kicked off 45 minutes late with thousands of fans standing on the touchlines. West Ham were 1-0 down within six minutes. Jack Tresadern entered the crowd to retrieve the ball and before he could return to the pitch Bolton had profited from the numerical advantage and taken the lead, with a header from David Jack
David Jack
David Bone Nightingale Jack was an English footballer, the first player ever to score at Wembley, and the first footballer in the world to be transferred for more than £10,000...
. After a half-time break which had seen the players remain on the pitch, West Ham's only chance of the game came as Dick Richards swung a chest-high cross from the right wing for Vic Watson
Vic Watson
Victor Martin Watson was an English footballer who played most of his club football for West Ham United....
who had his shot saved and held by Bolton goalkeeper Dick Pym
Dick Pym
Richard Henry Pym was a football player best known for being the Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper at the first ever FA Cup final to be played at Wembley Stadium in 1923.The game, known as the White Horse Final because of the presence of a mounted white police horse at the helm of the...
. Soon after, Bolton secured their victory with a goal from John Smith. There were so many bodies pressing up behind the goal that the ball instantly rebounded out and many had mistakenly thought that the ball had just hit a post. All subsequent FA Cup Finals were all-ticket.
Two days after the cup final, West Ham put their disappointment aside and travelled north to face Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
. West Ham earned what was considered a "brave" 2-0 win. This put them back on top of Division Two on goal difference, with only one game left to play. West Ham's final day 1-0 loss to eventual champions Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
was irrelevant, as fellow challengers Leicester City fell at the last hurdle, losing to Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
.
"The news of Leicester's loss was signalled from the veranda of the director's pavilion whilst a fierce struggle was going on around the Notts goal. Immediately there was a cheer, which swelled into a mighty roar as it was taken up by the crowd all around the ground. For the moment the players were confounded and the play seemed to hang in suspense, but immediately the loss of enthusiasm became apparent - it was a thrilling scene. An interesting touch was added when Donald Cock
Donald Cock
Donald James Cock was an English football player. He was the younger brother of England international Jack Cock....
, the Notts County centre, found the opportunity on the field to shake hands with George Kay, the West Ham captain." - 'Corinthian', The Daily Graphic
Both clubs had ensured promotion, and West Ham would be appearing in the First Division for the first time in their history.
Vic Watson
Vic Watson
Victor Martin Watson was an English footballer who played most of his club football for West Ham United....
finished the season as top scorer with 27 goals in league and cup games. Billy Moore was the only ever-present player, finishing the season with 51 appearances.
Squad
| No. | |Player | Position | Lge Apps |
Lge Gls |
FAC Apps |
FAC Gls |
Total Apps |
Total Goals |
|Date Signed | |Previous Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Ham United 1922-23 FA Cup Final Team | |||||||||||||
| 1 |  Kingdom of England |
Ted Hufton Ted Hufton Arthur Edward Hufton , better known as Ted Hufton, was an England international goalkeeper who earned six caps for his country.... |
GK | 39 | 9 | 48 | 1915 | Sheffield United Sheffield United F.C. Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production... |
|||||
| 2 | Kingdom of England |
Billy Henderson Billy Henderson William "Billy" Henderson was an English professional footballer. He was born in Whitburn, County Durham.Billy Henderson, a right-back, began his career with his local side Whitburn from whom he joined Brighton & Hove Albion... |
RB | 34 | 9 | 43 | January 1922 | Aberdare Athletic Aberdare Athletic F.C. Aberdare Athletic Football Club were a Welsh football club founded in 1893 and based in Aberdare. They joined the Football League in 1921 but were replaced by Torquay United after failing to be re-elected in 1927.-History:... |
|||||
| 3 | Kingdom of England |
Jack Young Jack Young (footballer) "Jack" Young was a defender and winger who played for Southend United, West Ham United and Queens Park Rangers.West Ham signed him for £600 from Southend in 1919, and he played for the club 138 times, scoring 3 goals.... |
LB | 25 | 7 | 32 | 1919 | Southend United Southend United F.C. Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had... |
|||||
| 4 | Kingdom of England |
Syd Bishop Syd Bishop Sydney Macdonald Bishop was a footballer whose main position was right-sided half-back, although he was versatile enough to also play many games as an inside-forward. Bishop began his days as a footballer playing for London Schools, as well as playing Air Force Football during the First World War... |
RH | 34 | 2 | 8 | 42 | 2 | 1920 | Ilford Ilford F.C. Ilford F.C. is a London football club based in Ilford, in Greater London founded in 1987.There was an earlier famous non-league club of the same name, founded in 1881. In 1979, it merged with Leytonstone to... |
|||
| 5 | Kingdom of England |
George Kay George Kay George Kay was an English football player and manager of Luton Town, Southampton and Liverpool.The highlight of his playing career was when he captained West Ham United in the first FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, the so-called White Horse Final.He was manager of Liverpool for 15 years and... (Captain) |
CH | 36 | 5 | 41 | 1916 | Lisburn Distillery Lisburn Distillery F.C. Lisburn Distillery is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club, founded in 1880, originated in west Belfast, where it was based at Grosvenor Park at Distillery Street off the Grosvenor Road until 1971... |
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| 6 | Kingdom of England |
Jack Tresadern Jack Tresadern John "Jack" Tresadern was an English professional footballer and football manager. He played twice for the England national side.-Playing career:... |
LH | 37 | 2 | 9 | 46 | 2 | 1913 | Barking Barking F.C. Barking Football Club is am English football club based in Barking, Greater London. The club are currently members of the Essex Senior League and play at Mayesbrook Park in Dagenham.-History:... |
|||
| 7 |  Wales |
Dick Richards Dick Richards (footballer) Richard 'Dick' William Richards was a Welsh footballer. Richards was born in Glyncorrwg and he played as an amateur for Bronygarth, Chirk and Oswestry United... |
OR | 34 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 43 | 6 | 1922 | Wolverhampton Wanderers Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at... |
||
| 8 | Kingdom of England |
Billy Brown Billy Brown (English footballer) William "Billy" Brown was an English professional footballer.... |
IR | 26 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 34 | 12 | 1921 | Hetton Colliery | ||
| 9 | Kingdom of England |
Vic Watson Vic Watson Victor Martin Watson was an English footballer who played most of his club football for West Ham United.... |
CF | 41 | 22 | 9 | 5 | 50 | 27 | 1920 | Wellingborough Town | ||
| 10 | Kingdom of England |
Billy Moore Billy Moore Billy Moore may refer to:*Billy Moore , Australian rugby league footballer*Billy Moore , Welsh dual-code rugby player*Billy Moore , English footballer-See also:... |
IL | 42 | 15 | 9 | 5 | 51 | 20 | 1922 | Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... |
||
| 11 | Kingdom of England |
Jimmy Ruffell Jimmy Ruffell Jimmy Ruffell was an English footballer who played for West Ham United.Ruffell was born in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, but moved south at an early age... |
OL | 33 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 42 | 7 | 1921 | Wall End United | ||
| Players with 10+ appearances | |||||||||||||
| 8 | Kingdom of England |
Charlie Crossley | IR | 15 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 1922 | Everton Everton F.C. Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football... |
|||
| Kingdom of England |
George Carter | HB | 10 | 4 | 14 | 1919 | Greene & Silley Weir/RAF | ||||||
| Kingdom of England |
Tommy Hodgson | FB | 11 | 11 | 1922 | Hetton Colliery | |||||||
| Other players with appearancs | |||||||||||||
| 2 | Kingdom of England |
Jack Hebden | RB | 9 | 9 | 1920 | Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... |
||||||
| Kingdom of England |
Billy Charlton | W | 8 | 8 | 1922 | South Shields Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
|||||||
| 4 | Kingdom of England |
Percy Allen | RH | 6 | 1 | 7 | 1919 | Junior Amateur | |||||
| Kingdom of England |
George Horler | FB | 5 | 2 | 7 | 1922 | Reading Reading F.C. Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship... |
||||||
| Kingdom of England |
Jack Mackesy (Captain of reserves) | HB/F | 4 | 4 | 1911 | Deptford Invicta | |||||||
| 1 | Kingdom of England |
Tommy Hampson | GK | 3 | 3 | 1920 | South Shields Gateshead F.C. Gateshead Football Club are a professional Association football club, based in Gateshead, England. They currently play in the Conference National, the fifth level of the English football league system.Ian Bogie is the current manager.... |
||||||
| Kingdom of England |
Leslie Robinson | F | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1920 | Stirling Athletic | |||||
| Kingdom of England |
Daniel Burgess | F | 2 | 2 | 1922 | Arsenal Arsenal F.C. Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups... |
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| Kingdom of England |
William Thirlaway | W | 2 | 2 | 1921 | Unsworth Colliery | |||||||
| Kingdom of England |
William Edwards | W | 1 | 1 | 1922 | Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
|||||||
| 9 | Kingdom of England |
Bert Fletcher | CF | 1 | 1 | 1923 | Brentford Brentford F.C. Brentford Football Club are a professional English football club based in Brentford in the London Borough of Hounslow. They are currently playing in Football League One.... |
||||||
| Kingdom of England |
Billy Williams | F | 1 | 1 | 1921 | Fairbairn House | |||||||
Road to Wembley
West Ham United's Road To Wembley
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