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Norwich City
Leicester City
Manchester City
Nottingham Forest
Newcastle United
Queens Park Rangers
Bristol City
Everton
Arsenal
Middlesbrough
Nottingham Forest
Wolverhampton Wanderers
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Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers
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Queens Park Rangers
Aston Villa
Ipswich Town
Chelsea
Birmingham City
Coventry City
Leeds United
Derby County
Manchester United
Middlesbrough
Liverpool
H 1-3
A 0-1
H 0-1
A 0-5
A 3-2
H 2-2
A 2-3
H 1-1
A 0-3
H 0-2
H 0-0
A 2-2
H 2-2
A 2-0
A 0-1
H 3-3
A 1-2
H 0-1
A 0-2
H 2-1
A 0-1
H 1-0
A 1-2
H 3-2
A 2-2
H 1-0
A 2-3
H 1-0
H 1-1
A 1-6
A
H 1-2
A 1-2
H 2-2
A 0-2
H 1-2
A 0-1
A 1-4
H 3-0
H 3-1
A 0-3
H 2-1
A 2-1
H 3-0
A 0-3
A 2-1
H 0-2
1
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2
2
3
4
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4
4
5
6
6
6
7
8
9
9
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10
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DAY Mervyn
FERGUSON Bobby
BRUSH Paul
McDOWELL John
LAMPARD Frank
PIKE Geoff
HOLLAND Pat
BONDS Billy
MARTIN Alvin
TAYLOR Tommy
LOCK Kevin
McGIVEN Mick
GREEN Bill
TAYLOR Alan
ROBSON Bryan
RADFORD John
JENNINGS BIlly
CROSS David
BROOKING Trevor
CURBISHLEY Alan
DEVONSHIRE Alan
HALES Derek
OTULAKOWSKI Anton
FL Cup Second Round:
FA Cup Third Round:
FA Cup Fourth Round:
FA Cup Replay:
Postponed:
(Apprentice - February 1976)
(Apprentice - July 1976)
(West Bromwich Albion - December 1977)
(Derby County - September 1977 £110,000)
Dearly Departed
KEITH ROBSON to Cardiff City - August 1977
JOHN RADFORD to Blackburn Rovers - February 1978
KEVIN LOCK to Fulham - July 1978
DEREK HALES to Charlton Athletic - July 1978
BILL GREEN to Peterborough United - July 1978 £90,000
BILLY LANSDOWNE Jnr. to Charlton Athletic - July 1978
Pre - Season Friendlies
The senior squad made two visits to the Continent for pre-season matches. They were in Norway from 1st - 6th August and in Majorca from 8th - 14th August
The party which left Heathrow on Monday 1 August comprised :
Billy Bonds, Trevor Brooking, Paul Brush, Alan Curbishley, Mervyn Day, Alan Devonshire, Bill Green, Frank Lampard, Kevin Lock, John McDowell, Mick McGiven, Anton Otulakowski, John Radford, Bryan Robson, Alan Taylor.
W. F. Cearns (.Director), John Lyall (Team Manager), Rob Jenkins (Physiotherapist), Albert Walker (Attendant).
Departure for Norway
Some of the players embarking by coach to London Airport
(left to right) Brooking, McGiven, Taylor, Lock, Green, Day, McDowell, Robson, Bonds, Brush, Lampard, Curbishley, Otulakowski
SK BRANN (Norway)
Brann Stadion
3-2 (Curbishley 2, Radford)
2nd August 1977
Day, McDowell, Lampard, Curbishley, Green, McGiven, Taylor A., Robson B., Radford, Brooking, Deveonshire (Otulakowski)
SORRY NO IMAGE
The opening fixture was on the day after our arrival. The opponents were SK Brann, winners of the Norwegian Cup this year; they have a background of experience in European competitions. They held us to 1—1 at the interval, but we got on top in the second half to win 3—2. Alan Curbishley netted twice, and John Radford the other.
Billy Bonds missed this match owing to calf injury; he came back here on the following day for treatment.
Another casualty was Alan Devonshire. He went off after an hour's play in the first game with a twisted ankle, and did not play in the two concluding games.
MOSS (Norway)
Mellos Stadion
4-1 (Brooking, Curbishley, Otulakowski, Taylor A.)
3rd August 1977
Day, McDowell (Brush), Lampard, Curbishley, Green, McGiven, Taylor A., Robson B., Radford, Brooking, Otulakowski
SORRY NO IMAGE
The second match was against Moss, a newly-promoted First Division side. We led by a single goal at half-time, but went on to make it 4—1 by the finish. Our goals were shared by four players scoring one each. Paul Brush went on a quarter-hour from the end to make his senior debut.
Select XI (Norway)
Korsgard Stadion
5-0 (Robson B. 2, Brooking, Green, Radford)
5th August 1977
Day, Lampard (McDowell), Brush, Curbishley, Green, McGiven, Taylor A., Robson B., Radford, Brooking, Otulakowski
SORRY NO IMAGE
The concluding match was at Askin on Friday against a local Select XI. Two up at half-time, we added another three after the interval to win comfortably by five clear goals.
Kevin Lock was due to play in this fixture, but hurt his knee on the previous day and was ruled out.
IX TROFEO INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (11th - 13th August 1977)
The four-team tournament organised by the home club was spread over three days. The semi-finals paired with Real Majorca; the other tie was between Real Betis and J.K.S. (champions of Algeria). Nearly 10,000 watched our first match, and this attendance was doubled for the Final. Our opening game was against the home club, and after leading 1—0 at half-time through Alan Curbishley's goal we went to 4—0 at the finish. A free-kick was knocked down by Frank Lampard for Alan Devonshire to centre; John Radford's volley made it 2—0. Then Bill Green started a move in his own half, and following upfield to hit the ball on the run he gave the 'keeper no chance. Majorca fell victims of an upfield foray when Kevin Lock intercepted a pass to put Alan Taylor away for a solo counter.
Unfortunately we sustained two injuries. John McDowell went off with an ankle knock after half-an-hour's play (Paul Brush taking over). Then a thigh knock put Mick Mc-Given out for the remainder of the tour; Kevin Lock went on, and he and Brush played in the Final. The Final was against the Seville club Real Betis.the game ended in a goalless draw. Both sides netted its first five penalties of the decider, but after Betis had converted the first of the " second series " their 'keeper made a great save, to win the trophy for his side after a fine game.
John Radford had a painful ear infection prior to the Final. He decided to play, but had to come off. after an hour; Anton Otulakowski replaced him.
REAL BETIS (Spain)
REAL MALLORCA (Spain)
Buenos Aires Stadium
0-0 (lost 5-6 on penalty decider)
13th August 1977
Buenos Aires Stadium
4-0 (Curbishley, Green, Radford Taylor A.)
11th August 1977
Day
McDowell (Brush)
Lampard
Curbishley
Green
McGiven (Lock)
Taylor A.
Robson B.
Radford
Brooking
Devonshire
Day
Brush
Lampard
Curbishley
Green
Lock
Taylor A.
Robson B.
Radford (Otulakowski)
Brooking
Devonshire
BOGNOR REGIS TOWN YOUTH
(Away)
?-?
6th August 1977
Parmentor
Williams
Devlin
Brignull
Sheehan
Banton
Morgan
Cowie
O'Connor
Horan
Sanson
Adleman
AVELEY : Friendly
(Away)
?-?
10th August 1977
SORRY NO IMAGE
CLAPTON : Friendly
Old Spotted Dog Ground:
?-?
13th August 1977
Danson
Brignull
Horan
Cowie
Lock
Boyce
Banton
Thompson
Holland
Lansdowne
Morgan
Devlin
WALTHAMSTOW AVENUE : Friendly
Green Pond Road
?-?
15th August 1977
Vouchers for "ALL TICKET" Games
Government departments and other authorities have instructed all First Division clubs that their home matches against Chelsea and Manchester United during the 1977-78 season shall be "all ticket."
Tokens will be printed in programmes of all First Team home League, League Cup and F.A. Cup matches played at Upton Park (including mid-week matches).
These tokens must be cut out and pasted in the appropriate square on a special sheet which will be issued in next Saturday's programme. Tickets for " special" occasions will be issued only on production of a token sheet, and will be conditional upon an appropriate (minimum) number of tokens being affixed to the sheet. These details would be announced in an issue of our programme prior to the match concerned. Nevertheless, NO GUARANTEE can be given that EVERY applicant fulfilling the conditions can be supplied with a ticket.
Token sheets will be marked as necessary by the Club when issuing tickets, and returned to the Holder for future use. However, it may be necessary for us to retain the token sheet if tickets are issued in the event of the Club reaching the F.A. Cup Final.
NORWICH CITY : Football League
Upton Park
1-3 (Robson B.)
20th August 1977
Referee: K. Baker
Att: 28,178
Day
Brush
Lampard
Pike
Taylor T.
Lock
Taylor A.
Robson B.
Radford
Brooking
Devonshire
JUST A DAY DREAM
NORWICH manager John Bond has never minced words and typically he even stood by that reputation after his side's best start to a First Division season. " We got the right result," said Bond. "I am pleased with that, but not with the attitude of some of my players. " I know it was a hot day, I know it was the first game of the season, I know we won — but I don't think all of them worked hard enough. " It's all very well running for balls when there's a chance of a goal but what about when .we need to get the thing back. I Some of them just shrugged their shoulders and didn't bother."
Bond, a cornerstone of West Ham's Cup successes of the mid-60s, could so easily have been talking about his old club. West Ham lacked urgency, heart and any appetite for a fight. Their character is non existent and that is one reason why last season's struggles could happen all over again.
Hammers' manager John Lyall admitted: "I'd been hoping for some carry over from our winning run that saved us from relegation but it wasn't there. We didn't offer much. "Lyall's statement says a great deal about West Ham though it could have been very different but for 'keeper Mervyn Day. Day was at fault with all three goals. He dived lethargically for John Ryan's 33rd minute shot, set up, the scoring chance for David Jones with a horrific piece of distribution and then went down slower than an action replay for Jones' second decisive goal.
Day's misery was as obvious as Jones' delight. "I rarely score." explained the Norwich defender. "So to get two in one game was fabulous. "I thought the referee had given a free kick against Roger Gibbini when I scored the first. I just had a swing at the ball and it flew in. I was surprised it counted but not as much as when my second went in."
PAUL BRUSH - Hammers Debut
NORWICH CITY : Football Combination
Carrow Road
20th August 1977
MATCH POSTPONED
No Programme issued
Norwich City had injury problems - Rearranged 31st August 1977
ORIENT : South East Counties League Division I
Chadwell Heath
3-4 (Morgan 2, O'Connor)
20th August 1977
At one time in the first half our Youth Team was a couple of goals ahead of Orient in the match at Chad-well Heath last Saturday. But the O's fought back to lead, and by half-time me the scores were level at 3 — 3. The only counter of the second half came from the visitors, and they won by 4-3. The loss of both points by our side was in some measure due to defensive errors, as our attackers were generally the masters of the visiting rearguard.
LEICESTER CITY : Football Combination
Upton Park
22nd August 1977
MATCH POSTPONED
Rained off - Rearranged 24th October 1977
LEICESTER CITY : Football League
Filbert Street
0-1
24th August 1977
Att: 18,310
Day
Brush
Lampard
Pike
Taylor T.
Lock
Taylor A.
Robson B.
Radford
Curbishley
Devonshire (Otulakowski)
IN THE NEWS - Wednesday 24th August 1977
Ron Greenwood's New Post
The Football Association has invited Ron Greenwood to act as England Team Manager for the next three internationals until December 1977, and he has now accepted the position. Ron is on leave of absence until December, and it was his request that he be temporarily released from his duties with the Club. The Board of Directors was more than happy to assist the Football Association; it has been agreed that when Ron ends his temporary appointment he will return as Manager of West Ham United F.C.
It is a great honour for Ron (and for the Hammers) that the choice has fallen upon him.
MANCHESTER CITY : Football League
Upton Park
0-1
27th August 1977
Referee: A. Glasson
Att: 25,278
Day
Lampard
Brush
Pike
Taylor T.
Lock
Taylor A. (Otulakowski)
Robson B.
Radford
Curbishley
Devonshire
Chadwell Heath
3-2 (Allen, Musgrove, Pearce)
3rd September 1977
Childs, Wright, Smith M., Allen, Williams, Game, Musgrove (Pearce), Hallybone, Kirk, La Ronde A., Holt
QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Football League
Upton Park
2-2 (Holland, Lock)
10th September 1977
Referee: A. Robinson
Att: 26,922
Day
Lampard
Brush
Holland
Taylor T.
Lock
Pike
Robson B.
Jennings (Otulakowski)
Curbishley
Devonshire
OXFORD UNITED : Football Combination
Manor Ground
3-1
10th September 1977
IN THE NEWS - 29th September 1977
DEREK HALES was given a new chance last night to prove he can score goals in the big-time. He joined West Ham in a £110,000 deal only nine unhappy months and four league goals since his £280,000 move from Charlton to Derby. John Lyll, West Ham boss, missed Hales then. But now, £170,000 in pocket, he says. "Derek is basically a London boy and a move back South should help him re-find his goal touch."
Lyall, who completed the deal with Hales in a Derby Hotel, added "I am absolutely delighted. We have signed Derek to score goals and I am confident he can do just that. What has happened at Derby is nothing to do with me at all." Hales. 25, said "I gave the move a lot of thought and I am sure this time it is the right one. "Now I'm starting from scratch and hope to prove a few people wrong by getting goals again. They ruined me at Derby. Moving suits me fine."
Hales, 75 goals in 130 games for Charlton was also wanted by Brighton and Millwall.
MIDDLESBROUGH : Football League
Upton Park
0-2
3rd Octocber 1977
Referee: A. Turvey
Att: 26,508
Day
Lampard
Brush
Holland
Taylor T.
McGiven
Taylor A.
Robson B.
Hales (Devonshire)
Brooking
Pike
SINKING FEELING
DEREK HALES limped out of his debut for West Ham after 69 minutes of the match against Middlesbrough last night, eclipsed as totally as he was in his ill-starred Derby excursion. Hammers slumped to their second defeat in three days with a performance charitably termed under-privileged. And with nine matches gone, they are already confronted with the dire prospect of needing a point a game to escape relegation.
Middlesbrough had victory thrust upon them, both goals by David Mills in the last 18 minutes owing something to the wretched benevolence of the home defence. Middlesbrough had stifled West Ham from the start with nine men behind the ball. Stuart Boam and Alan Ramage devoured the hapless Hales with rugged tackling that seemed to exceed the laws but was viewed with customary lenience by referee Alan Turvey—who only booked Boam minutes from the end Hales, caught a blow on the knee early on, was never in with a chance, and one could only wonder why Middlesbrough were reluctant to attack more regularly against such suspect opposition.
Hammers, once more big-game hunting with an air gun, looked a soft touch, with Mike McGiven often in difficulties. It was a missed tackle by McGiven in the 73rd minute that allowed Mills to cut in on a pass from Souness to score with a shot which screwed off Frank Lampard's heel and over a helpless Mervyn Day's head. Seven minutes from time Day failed to hold a low, 25-yard cross-shot by Dave Armstrong which he saw all the way and Mills was there to tap the ball into an empty net. Hammers manager John Lyall said later that Hales jmust be doubtful for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest.
DEREK HALES - Hammers Debut
IN THE NEWS - 9th December 1977
CROSS ON THE SPOT
DAVID CROSS joined West Ham yesterday knowing he was taking on an assignment that has about it, all the appeal of summer in Siberia. A year ago. Hammers tried to buy Cross from Coventry for £40,000 less than the £170,000 he has now cost them. And it is significant he is being sold by Albion because they, have found a replacement in coloured striker Cyrille Regis—stolen from in front of West Ham's nose. Cross, former Rochdale, Norwich and Coventry striker, brings West Ham's spending on goaiscorers in the past six years to £1,000,000.
None of his predecessors at Upton Park has proved consistentaly effective. Cross said : "I knew it was inevitable Albion would sell me. I have resisted a move to London in the past and I have had to think very hard about it this time. "I feel a lot of players are apprehensive about moving to the capital. "Now I have made the decision, I Just want to get on with it. I'm not too bothered about the past I just want to prove I can score goals down here."
Cross, scorer of 18 goals in 40 games at Albion, boasts a career record of a goal in every three games —a consistency that would certainly appeal to West Ham. Certainly John Lyail was happy, even though he can't parade his new signing against Manchester United at Upton Park today.
Lyall said : " I'm delighted we have been able to get him. We have never lost interest in liim. He can score goals and he can make them for other people. "Pop Robson and Derek Hales will benefit from his arrival." I feel sure Lyall speaks honestly—and hopefully. But this was his prediction when John Radford was signed from Arsenal, and he has yet to score a League goal for West Ham.
WEST BROMWICH ALBION : Football League
The Hawthorns
0-1
17th December 1977
Referee: A. Hughes
Att: 18,868
Day
McDowell
Brush
Bonds
Taylor T.
Pike
Devonshire
Robson B.
Cross
Brooking
Hales
David Cross debut programme signed
LYALL: IT WAS SHEER ROBBERY
JOHN LYALL studied a video re-run of the goal that keeps his West Ham team condemned to a relegation position. And then he protested that it shouldn't have counted.
West Brom's stand-in Ally Brown had ended a goal-famine which had stretched back over five matches and a total of 525 minutes playing time—but the score was only allowed after referee Alan Hughes had consulted a flagging linesman. And last night the normally placid Lyall accused the referee of making the wrong decision. "Another player, Tony Brown, was definitely offside," he said.
"It's very frustrating because I felt we had done enough to deserve a point. But that's the way it goes when you're down and struggling."
While West Brom's recent goal freeze has surely ended all logical chance of a championship challenge. West Ham have embarked on their annual flirtation with relegation. Just now their prospects don't look encouraging. For al the intelligent industry of Trevor Brooking and the perseverence of Alan Devonshire, they simply didn't make enough of tne limited chances that fell to them. Against this West Ham were particularly grateful for a save by Mervyn Day which kept out a thundering drive by Cyrille Regis.
DAVID CROSS - Hammers Debut
ASTON VILLA - Football League
Villa Park
1-4 (Brooking)
18th March 1978
Referee: D. Nippard
Att: 28,275
Ferguson
McDowell
Lampard
Curbishley
Taylor T.
Bonds
Devonshire (Martin)
Holland
Cross
Brooking
Hales
NOW LYALL FACES THE CRUEL TRUTH
WEST. HAM supporters defiantly sang their "Bubbles" theme — but the stark reality of this result is that the. Second Division is rapidly getting closer. Hammers, who have long flirted with relegation, could not answer manager John Lyall's pre-match call that championship form was needed for the rest of the season to avoid the big drop. Lyall said after the game: "This is one of those situations where the game can be cruel. "We were beaten 4—1 and people will look at the result and think we were hammered. "But I glanced at the clock at 4.30 and thought to myself we were going to get something from the game.
"You need breaks and we gave away two late goals through going forward after matching Villa for spirit for an hour." Hammers, with one point from seven games now, will be left to reflect on a Frank Lampard hook shot that came back off the bar when they were losing 2—1 just after half-time—and two misses by Derek Hales. The bearded striker, back after a one-match suspension, had a free header right in front of goal from Alan Devonshire's cross just after half-time—but sent the ball at Jimmy Rimmer for a comfortable save.
Later he chested down a centre from David Cross and sent another good-looking chance the wrong side of a post. More black news for the Hammers. Cross collected a booking for a foul on Dennis Mortimer and passed the 20 points disciplinary limit.
Hales too. faces a possible three-match ban on Tuesday when he goes before a disciplinary committe for topping the same mark.
John Gregory's superb header after 18 minutes from a Frank Carrodus cross gave'Villa the lead. Trevor Brooking raised West Ham's hones eisht minutes iater when he collected a Hales' flick on the left .floated past a challenge from Leighton Phillips and lofted his shot bevond Rimmer's reach from 20 yards.
Brian Little, unmarked just inside the West Ham half sent John Deehan clear to beat Bobby Ferguson with ease after 33 minutes.
Mortimer's header from another Carodus cross after 75 minutes put the result beyond West Ham's reach. And Mortimer returned the compliment four minutes later with a cross that gave Gregory his second goal with a header that went through Ferguson's hands.
Liverpudlian Alvin Martin replaced Devonshire, who had a thigh injury, for his first taste of First Division action. It is not one the youngster will remember. It very much looks as if the West Ham bubble has finally burst.
