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A party of 16 players, together with Ron Greenwood, Bill Jenkins and Albert Walker left London Airport on Wednesday 5th August for a nine day visit to Austria and Germany. The main purpose of the trip was to play threee matches against Continential opposition as a preliminary survey for the forthcoming European Cup Winners Cup competition.
FK AUSTRIA (Austria)
Prater Stadium, Vienna
3-0 (Sissons, Moore, Byrne)
7th August 1964
13,000 spectators were present to see us open against a club which ended as double runners-up this year in the Austrian league and cup. After six minutes Johnny Byrne put John Sissons away near the half-way line and the winger eluded his full-back and drew out Oezcon before putting us in front. Byrne’s throw-in during the 33rd minute was met by Bobby Moore, whose 25-yard drive made us two up; and two minutes later from Peter Brabrook’s pass Byrne scored the third with a shot on the turn. Fierce Austrian attacks in the first ten minutes after the interval were successfully repelled, and we held on comfortably to win 3-0. Sissons took an ankle-knock after an hour’s play, so Tony Scott substituted for the final half-hour.
Graz are another First Division club, and were extremely keen to put up a better showing than their Viennese rivals before the 6,000 spectators present on this occasion. We again started at a fast pace, and had a fourth-minute “goal” by Sissons disallowed for offside. But it was not until another 73 minutes had passed that we found the net again, when Byrne made a 40-yard run and beat threee opponents before scoring the only winner. Sissons again had to be substituted by Scott, this time due to a slight arm injury. The Austrians also gad their share of misfortune, two injuries and substitutions tending to upset their rhythm during the second half.
FC NUREMBURG (West Germany)
Nuremburg
0-1
12th August 1964
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst (Peters)
Sissons (Sealey)
Nuremburg were the West Germans’ entry for the European Cup Winners Cup last season, and they provided us with a very stiff test. Their 1-0 victory came through a fairly simple goal in the 35th minute, when Alleman back-heeled the ball for Nuremburg’s new signing from Kiel – Manfred Grief – to net from close range. We failed to successfully conclude several good chances, but even so it was only two really superb saves by Wabra that stopped Bryne from gaining at least an equaliser before the 30,000 attendance.
LIVERPOOL : Charity Shield
Anfield
2-2 (Hurst, Byrne)
15th August 1964
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
Rival skippers, Ron Yeats and Bobby Moore hold the F.A. Charity Shield simultaneously presented to Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield
CRYSTAL PALACE : Inaugural Football Match
Crystal Palace Stadium
1-4
19th August 1964
FULHAM : Football League
Craven Cottage
2-1 (Byrne, Sissons)
22nd August 1964
Att: 31,200
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
FULHAM : Football Combination
Upton Park
2-1 (Hugo, Peters)
22nd August 1964
Dickie
Kirkup
Presland
Peters
Bickles
Charles J.
Dear
Bennett
Sealey
Hugo
Scott
ST. NEOTS TOWN : Metropolitan League
Shortlands
5-0 (Lansdowne, Smith T. 2, Herbage, Dawkins)
22nd August 1964
Mackleworth
Needham
Howe
Dawkins
Andrew
James
Redknapp
Herbage
Lansdowne
Smith T.
Dryden
LUTON TOWN : South East Counties League
Chadwell Heath
4-0 (Heffer, Simmonds 2, Merrick)
22nd August 1964
The Hammers dictated play from the start, and after five minutes Dennis Walker made a fine run down the wing and Heffer cooly pushed home his pass. We twice hit the woodword before Barry Simmons got his first goal and ended the half two up. Merrick headed a beauty after the restart, and Simmons scored another with a quarter-of-an-hour to go with a forcefull shot on the run to end the scoring at 4-0
MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League
Upton Park
3-1 (Byrne, Hurst, Sissons)
24th August 1964
Att: 37,070
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
When Harry Redknapp made his way along the bye-line and passed back for Bill Lansdowne to net early in this game, we looked on our way to a repeat of our resounding victory in the opening fixture. However, the "goal" was disallowed for offside, and the homesters took heart from their let-off to gain a 2-0 half-time advantage. We struggled hard against the odds but the Medway club held on to keep a clean score-sheet and their advantage to the end.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football League
Upton Park
2-3 (Byrne, Sissons)
28th August 1964
Att: 26,760
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
NOTTINGHAM FOREST : Football Combination
City Ground
2-1 (Hugo, Dear)
29th August 1964
Dickie
Kirkup
Presland
Peters
Bickles
Charles J.
Dear
Bennett
Sealey
Hugo
Scott
DUNSTABLE TOWN : Metropolitan League
Chadwell Heath
3-1 (Lansdowne, Smith, Herbage)
29th August 1964
Our defence was very firm in this game and George Andrew again made a very good showing in the pivot position, keeping his opponents well in check. The first half went scoreless, but we got well on top after the interval and in turn Bill Lansdowne, Tony Smith and Alan Herbage each netted. The Town got a “consolation” goal just before time, so we secured the points with a 3-1 score.
SORRY NO IMAGE
PORTSMOUTH : South East Counties League
Royal Marine Barracks
3-1 (Hartley, Fern, Merrick)
29th August 1964
Brooklands
3-2 (Dawkins, Smith, Menseh)
31st August 1964
Mackleworth
Burnett
Kitchener
Dawkins
Andrew
Howe
Redknapp
Smith T.
Lansdowne
Menseh
Dryden
This was an even duel until midway in the second half when Romford had their centre-half carried off with the score at 2-2; this turned the game our way and we got another counter to annexe the spoils. The winning goal was scored by John Menseh, who played for Hearts of Oak F.C. against the Hammers when we toured Ghana in the summer of 1962; he is at present playing for Newmarket Town in the Eastern Counties League, and we were pleased to give him the opportunity of donning our colours. Trevor Dawkins and Tony Smith got the other goals.
MANCHESTER UNITED : Football League
Old Trafford
1-3 (o.g.)
2nd September 1964
Referee:
Att: 45,123
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
STOKE CITY : Football League
Victoria Ground
1-3 (Byrne)
5th September 1964
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football Combination
Upton Park
4-2 (Dear 3, Hugo)
5th September 1964
Dickie
Kirkup
Presland
Dawkins
Bickles
Charles J.
Redknapp
Bennett
Dear
Hugo
Scott
No fewer than eight of the Hammers that represented the Reserve team are between the ages of 17 and 21; the entire XI are all products of the Youth Section, and it is encouraging to note that they have won all three of their games to date in this competition. The latest victims were the Spurs Reserves, who included quite a lot of experience in their line-up. However, we played extremely well to gain 3-1 advantage at the change-over; the humid atmosphere slowed our side down a little after the resumption and the North Londoners further reduced their arrears, but we returned to make another prolonged assult on the visitors’ goal and gain a fourth counter to bring the final tally to 4-2. Special mention to Brain Dear with a well-taken hat-trick, he took his second goal very well, and the second-half decider was a powful drive that could well have taken Bill Brown into the net with the ball had he been able to get anywhere near it.
CHELMSFORD CITY RESERVES : Metropolitan League
New Writtle Street Stadium
2-0 (Lansdowne 2)
5th September 1964
Mackleworth
Burnett
Kitchener
Hartley
Andrew
Howe
Herbage
Smith T.
Britt
Lansdowne
Dryden
By notching their fourth win in five games our “A” Team consolidated its second place in the Metropolitan League. Chelmsford Reserves put up a hard fight at the New Writtle Street Stadium, but we deservedly maintained a 2-1 half-time lead to gain full spoils. Bill Lansdowne netted both our goals, the City’s lone counter coming between these. But one player that pearticularly caught the eye was goalkeeper Colin Mackleworth, who gave a very competent display and earned a good share of applause.
The Hammers’ under-18 team secured a very satisfactory victory at Chadwell Heath over the 1963-64 champions of the South East Counties League to become the only club with a 100 per cent record. The Rangers held a half-time lead through a goal which was the outcome of an intercepted back-pass in the eighth minute, and in general they were the better side in this half. After the interval we claimed the majority of the exchanges, although half-an-hour passed before we could draw level; David James was the instigator, his through pass to Barry Simmonds being well taken and slipped past the advancing goalkeeper. Four minutes from the end Simmonds got the winner, this time volleying home when Frank lampard’s shot was blocked by a defender. One of Simmonds’ team-mates in last season’s Ilford Boys XI was Trevor Brooking; this youngster made his first appearance for the Hammers on this occasion and had a very good debut.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS : Football League
Upton Park
5-0 (Hurst 2, Byrne, Sissons, Moore)
7th September 1964
Referee:
Att: 26,879
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Peters
Moore
Sealey
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
CHERTSEY TOWN : Metropolitan League
Chertsey
1-3 (Bennett)
9th September 1964
Burnett
Howe
Hartley
Andrew
James
Bennett
Smith T.
Lansdowne
Herbage
Dryden
The 3-1 reverse which we sustained could be mainly attributed to three faulty back-passes by the Hammers; each was intercepted by an opposing forward and the ball successfully placed in our net; our scorer was Peter Bennett. Apart from the score we had as much of the game as the Surrey club (who moved up from Diviion II of the Metropolitan League this season), but paid the inevitable penalty of errors.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Football League
Upton Park
3-2 (Byrne 3)
12th September 1964
Att: 36,730
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Peters
Moore
Sealey
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
CARDIFF CITY : Football Combination
Ninian Park
1-0 (Dear)
12th September 1964
Dickie, Kirkup, Presland, Dawkins, Bickles, Charles J., Brabrook, Bennett, Dear, Hugo, Scott
SORRY NO IMAGE
In the wide open spaces of Ninian Park there was not a great deal of “atmosphere” but our team overcame this and gave a spirited display in the early and late stages. The only goal of the game was netted after five minutes’ play; Tony Scott made his way across the field, and then turned to make a long pass which Brian Dear met on the run. For the latter portion of the first half and the early part of the second there was little to choose between the teams, but in the final 25 minutes the Hammers dominated the exchanges.
STEVENAGE TOWN : Metropolitan League
Broadhall Way
1-0 (Lansdowne)
12th September 1964
Mackleworth
Burnett
Howe
Hartley
Andrew
James
Herbage
Smith T.
Lansdowne
Walker
Dryden
This was a much better performance than that of three days earlier against Chertsey Town, and although we got home by the only goal scored by Bill Lansdowne the margin might have been greater. The defence was very tight and Dennis Burnett showed up extremely well in an all-round display of team-work.
MILLWALL : South East Counties League
Chadwell Heath
3-0 (Cross, Simmons, Heffer)
12th September 1964
Twelve minutes after the start Tony Ackerman dispossed an opponent and squared the ball for Roger Cross to net with a first-time 25-yard drive ; and we went two up five minutes before the interval when Cross had another shot blocked, which rebounded to Barry Simmonds for the centre-forward to tally from 15 yards. During the second half our defence adequately coped with the young Lions' threats (Ackerman and Frank Lampard both showing up very well), and with three minutes to go Paul Heffer ran on to a bad goal-kick taken by the opposition 'keeper and left the final count "at 3—0.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS : Football League
Molineux
3-4 (Brabrook, Byrne, o.g.)
14th September 1964
Att: 16,000
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Peters
Moore
Sealey
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Brabrook
GILLINGHAM : Metropolitan League
Priestfield Stadium
1-3 (Lansdowne)
15th September 1964
Dickie, Presland, Howe, Dawkins, Andrew, Charles J., Dear, Bennett, Lansdowne, Smith T., Dryden
SORRY NO IMAGE
In an extremely rough match we held a single-goal lead until a quarter-of-an-hour to go after Bill Lansdowne had put us ahead. Then we were reduced to nine men, and in a storming finish the homesters steamrollered the Hammers to net three times and take the points. The commentary given by team-manager Jim Barrett on the atmosphere prevailing both on and off the field on this occasion is perhaps best left unprinted!
CRYSTAL PALACE : South Junior Floodlit Cup (First Round)
Our senior Youth XI made its first competitive appearance of the 1964-65 season when it opposed Crystal Palace Youth XI at Selhurst Park on Wednesday 16th September in the First Round of the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup. We gained a goalless draw (after extra time) in a match that did not contain a great deal of incident, and all in all the result proved to be a fair one. We had hoped to field an XI consisting entirely of professionals and apprentices. However, Billy Kitchener was in hospital following an operation for a nipped cartilage (the outcome of an iniury during a summer course at Lilleshall) and Dennis Walker had to stand down through a toe injury. We therefore included amateurs Tony Ackerman and Paul Heffer (who have both played in the S.E. Counties League)
BURNLEY : Football League
Turf Moor
2-3 (Byrne, Boyce)
19th September 1964
Att: 13,541
Standen
Bond
Burkett
Bovington
Peters
Moore
Sealey
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
IPSWICH TOWN : Football Combination
Upton Park
2-0 (Bennett 2)
19th September 1964
Dickie
Kirkup
Presland
Dawkins
Bickles
Charles J.
Redknapp
Bennett
Dear
Hugo
Scott
Ipswich made this game rather easy for our second-string, as after our third-minute goal they went very much on the defensive and seemed content to keep the score down to a minimum. A second counter came immediately after the interval and it was very similar to the opener, Peter Bennett again finishing off a combined movement between three or four players. That ended the scoring, so we annexed the points by a 2-0 margin.
WOODFORD TOWN : Metropolitan League
Chadwell Heath
3-0 (Lansdowne, Hartley, Smith)
19th September 1964
For the third successive game Bill Lansdowne netted a goal (to bring his total to seven for the season), and further tallies from Trevor Hartley and Tony Smith made the final count 3—0 in our favour. We were two up at the interval and made most of the running in the second half to cruise to a comfortable victory.
LA GANTOISE (Belguim) European Cup Winners Cup (Preliminary 1st leg)
Stade Jules Otten
1-0 (Boyce)
23rd September 1964
Att: 18,000
Standen
Bond
Peters
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Sealey
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
Hero Ron Boyce breaks match deadlock
West Ham came home triumphant from their first crack at a coveted European Trophy – it was a victory gained first by sweat then by skill against 11 fighting part-timers. Even as 600 East London soccer fans made themselves heard above klaxons and horns and saluted victory here in Ghent the Boleyn heroes promised: “We can – and will – do better !” Manager Ron Greenwood – the man whose tactical knowledge fashioned this great Hammers triumph – told me: “We disappointed ourselves. But we did what we came to do keep a blank scoresheet against us for the return leg at home and win if possible. “Hammers hero was again East Ham grocer’s son Ron Boyce. He made it seem like Wembley all over again as he rose in the 52nd minute of this historic European Cup Winners Cup match to head home Alan Sealey’s corner. Boyce ended a defensive deadlock that had these two sides sparring like tense novice-boxers. Said Ron Greenwood “Blame me because of the tough build-up I gave my players. We were too anxious but perhaps this was better than going into our first European game expecting a push-over”. Ken Brown successfully recalled to centre-half –was the first to admit: “”Praise Ron for this. His special break-down of the Belgian team after seeing them only once before was just great. “I felt I knew their centre-forward before the game even started.” Hammers deservedly won a join the exclusive band of British clubs that have won away in a European cup-tie – a near impossible feat. Defensively they never looked like in trouble. Up front, they created chances without hitting anything like top form. Gantoise had speed, fitness and enthusiasm – but in the end they were poor substitutes fro West Ham’s more skilful method. Stars! Undoubtedly Bobby Moore and Martin Peters. Skipper Moore was magnificent. His head rose time and again to clear danger and his non-stop command from midfield rallied Hammers whenever they looked like losing their grip. Peters was a superb left-back. He switched there in a 1st minute change with Jack Burkett a touch viewer and almost twice sparked goal moves with intelligent fast – running. He almost scored himself with a flashing header. Speedy John Sissons was the best of an attack given little time to work together. But it was a great save by Jim Standen soon after Boyce’s goal that kept Hammers well on top. He dived to fingertip away a sudden shot from centre-forward Lambert and admitted after the game: “I thought it was in, I saw it so late !”. At the start, Hammers needed nearly all their defensive skill to keep out the eager Gantoise forwards. But when West Ham broke away they looked well able to score. Sissons had two great drives flash past the goal; Johnny Byrne almost converted a fine Peters pass and Hurst sent a strong header straight at the ‘keeper. But Hammers control, a brief moment of panic apart, was never in danger in the second half. West Ham already with a reputation for fair play – were voted the cleanest British team to come to Belgium at an after-the-game banquet in Ghent. Now Hammers go into the second leg at Upton Park on October 7. Their one goal up should be enough to see them into the last 16 of the Europe’s second top competition and on the road for European Gold.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC "A" : Metropolitan League
Woolwich Stadium
4-0 (Lansdowne 2, Bennett, Smith)
23rd September 1964
This game brought us a most convincing victory by four clear goals. Bill Lansdowne agaio starred as leader of the attack, netting twice; the other scorers were Peter Bennett and Tony Smith.
SHEFFIELD UNITED : Football League
Upton Park
3-1 (Byrne 2, Sissons)
26th September 1964
Att: 22,526
Standen
Bond
Peters
Bovington
Brown
Moore
Brabrook
Boyce
Byrne
Hurst
Sissons
BEXLEY UNITED : South East Counties League
Bexley Hospital Ground
1-5 (Stockley)
10th October 1964
A nith-minute goal by Len Stockley from Paul Heffer's pass gave us a halftime lead, but a second-half "blitz" brought a final 5-1 marginn to the Kent club. They netted in the 57th, 58th, 59th, 62nd and 75th minutes, and thoroughly deserved the win. Of our side Dennis Walker showed up the best.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : South East Counties League
Chadwell Heath
1-1 (James [pen])
17th October 1964
Our slightly stronger line-up did well against experienced opposition and the 1-1 draw was a fair result. We took the lead in the 62nd minute when David James netted fom the penalty-spot after the opposing 'keeper had fouled Barry Simmons; the equaliser came nine minutes from the end when there was a mix-up between two defenders, the opposing centre-forward running in to put the ball in the unattended net.
