Midlands resurgence 1952-53 - (Part five)

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 28TH MARCH, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 (Stewart, Trigg pen) LINCOLN CITY 2 (Munro, Whittle)

Merrick; Hall, Green; Bannister, Badham, Boyd;
Stewart, Ferris, Trigg, Murphy, Wardle;

Jones; Green, Graham; Wright, Emery, Owen;
Munro, Garvin, Graver, Whittle, Kerr;

Referee:- Mr A Luty, Leeds

Lincoln showed much better form than their league position suggests and nearly brought off a surprise away win. Only a Cyril Trigg penalty, ten minutes from the end, after Bannister had been brought down, saved the Blues. Murphy had a poor game on his return from injury.  Stewart had put Blues ahead after twenty one minutes deflecting a shot from Murphy past Jones. Ernie Whittle was the best forward afield. He put Munro through to crack in a splendid equaliser after forty two minutes.

This was his first goal since being signed from Oldham. Whittle then ran through himself to lob the ball over Merrick's head after fifty seven minutes. Earlier Merrick had made an amazing save from the little inside left. Kerr centred from the left and Whittle shot first time on the turn from ten yards and Merrick dived to push it round the post.

Wright and Owen at wing half were perhaps Lincoln's two best players. Boyd and Ferris switched places near the end in the hope they could force a winner but Lincoln were good value for the draw.


SATURDAY 4TH APRIL, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3 (Wilshaw, Stockin 2) STOKE CITY 0

Sims; Short, Pritchard; Wright (capt), Shorthouse, Slater;
Hancocks, Stockin, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Elliott; Sellars, McCue; Mountford, Thompson (capt), Johnstone;
Malkin, Bowyer, Brown, Martin, Oscroft;

Wolves had Wright at centre half and Stoke had wing half Sellars at full back and inside forward Johnstone at wing half. Both teams played only moderate football in the first half and in the second Stoke were playing real relegation stuff. Wolves were off form and missed several easy chances. They eventually took the lead when Swinbourne caused Elliott to punch clear quickly and Wilshaw ran in to score.

Thompson played very well at centre half for Stoke and Malkin was their best forward.
Stockin was the pick of the Wolves attack and scored a brilliant goal after beating three men and shooting while harassed by two more. He then headed the third from a Mullen centre. Stoke got really worried at times and Swinbourne hit the post before missing two easy chances. Sims, deputising for Bert Williams, had a good game in goal for Wolves.


EASTER MONDAY 6TH APRIL, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 4 (Hancocks, Stockin, Wilshaw 2) PORTSMOUTH 1 (Harris)

Sims; Short, Pritchard; Wright (capt), Shorthouse, Slater;
Hancocks, Stockin, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Uprichard; Gunter, Wilson; Scoular (capt), Froggatt, Dickinson;
Harris, Phillips, Clarke, Henderson, Dale;

Wolves played in championship form, except for Swinbourne who missed several easy chances. Hancocks opened the scoring from a Mullen corner with a fierce drive and shortly afterwards Stockin scored the second. Portsmouth had a young full back Wilson, who looks a bit like Froggatt, and although beaten several times by Hancocks, gave a good, cool display. The half back line of Scoular, Froggatt and Dickinson all played up to their reputations and Henderson was the best forward for the visitors.
Half time 2-0.

Jack Froggatt who played for England at outside left and centre half.

He later left Portsmouth to play for Leicester City.

Wilshaw got two more goals in the second half, the second after Uprichard had brilliantly fisted out a Mullen cross. Short, the Wolves full back, was carried off on a stretcher but returned seven minutes later to play at inside left, with Wright moving to full back and Wilshaw at wing half.

Peter Harris eventually got a consolation goal for Portsmouth after cutting in from the wing. Phillips and Dale fiddled too much and made little progress. Mullen had a good game on the left wing for Wolves, but was inclined to loose his temper with the aggressive Scoular, often unjustly.


EASTER TUESDAY 7TH APRIL,1953

LEAGUE  DIVISION ONE AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA 1 (Walsh) WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Allen)

Parsons; Parkes, Aldis; Canning, Moss (F) (capt), Moss (A);
Pace, Blanchflower, Walsh, Dixon, Roberts;

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard (capt); Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Hodgkisson, Lee;

Referee:- B. M. Griffiths, Newport, Mon.

Albion introduced 20 year old inside forward Ken Hodgkisson and he was soon prominent as Albion started off very well. He started the move by which Ronnie Allen put Albion ahead. Griffin centred past Parsons and the centre forward had only to head the ball in.

Roberts gave a poor display for Villa, partly because of a knee injury. Joe Sanders did well in goal for Albion, especially in the second half when Villa gave a much better display. Frank Moss was on top form as was brother Amos in a very solid Villa defence in which Canning also did well.

Dave Walsh chased everything against his old team and gave Dugdale a worrying time. He eventually equalised with a fine shot. Barlow and Dudley were Albion's best players, but both sides missed chances to win the match, especially young Hodgkisson who should have scored at least one goal.


SATURDAY 11TH APRIL, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 CHELSEA 1 (McNichol)

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard (capt); Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Hodgkisson, Lee;

Robertson; Harris, Willemse; Armstrong, Greenwood, Dickson;
Parsons, McNichol, Bentley (capt), Edwards, Blunstone;

Referee:- G.W. Thorpe, Swindon

Ryan should gave won the match for Albion in the first minute. He broke through on his own, blocked Greenwood's clearance and had only Robertson to beat, but his shot struck the goaly and was cleared by John Harris. Hodgkisson was again prominent in Albion's attacks and Jim Sanders was also again in top form, brilliantly tipping an Edwards shot over the bar.

Frank Blunstone, from Crewe, showed that he is a very promising young player on the left wing. Dugdale often had the better of the wandering Bentley and the strong wind made ball control difficult for both sides. Robertson also had a good game in the Chelsea goal and Stan Willemse, with his vigorous tackles and hefty, but usually accurate clearances, was also prominent.

The only goal of the game came from inside forward John McNichol in a game where Albion were never at their best. Ron Greenwood was very good in the air for Chelsea, but a bit shaky on the ground against Allen. Bill Dickson, the Irish wing half, got through a lot of work as did Jimmy Dudley, who was Albion's best player.


THURSDAY 16TH APRIL, 1953

STAFFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP FINAL AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 3 (Duggins, Giles, Bridgett) WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0

The Staffordshire Cup Final was played between virtual reserve teams and was watch by Major Frank Buckley recently appointed as manager of Walsall. The veteran manager previously with Wolves and Leeds United has a hard task ahead of him and must be confident that bottom club Walsall will again be re-elected to the league.

Walsall started off with a bang, Duggins putting them one up with a fine shot from a pass by Bridgett. Giles then scored the second after Bridgett's header had gone wide. Albion improved at this stage with Nicholls and Evans combining well and interchanging positions. Godderidge at centre half kept a good hold on the lively Nicholls and was selected for the first team after this match.

Brookes at left half for Albion had a splendid shot from thirty yards but it went straight at Lewis. The Albion left back Mack was then injured and had to go onto the wing. Whitehouse, a lively winger, hit the post and Rowe cleared a Nicholls header off the line with an acrobatic leap which sent it over the laundry. Bridgett lobbed the third goal over Heath's head. All four wing halves Dean, Millington, Rawlings and Brookes played well as did Welshman Stuart Williams at full back.


SATURDAY 18TH APRIL, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON.

WOLVES 5 (Wilshaw, Hancocks, Stockin 2, Mullen) BURNLEY 1 (Holden)



Williams; Gibbons, Pritchard; Flowers, Shorthouse (capt), Slater;
Hancocks, Stockin, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Thompson; Aird, Winton; Rudman, Cummings (capt), Brown;
Stephenson, McIlroy, Holden, Shannon, Elliott;

Referee:- R.J. Leafe, Nottingham

Burnley had a reserve left back, Winton and two reserve wing halves, Rudman and Brown. They played quite well in the first half, particularly Winton, but cracked after Wolves second goal and then conceded three more in ten minutes. Wilshaw opened the score with a header from Hancocks' perfect centre. Burnley equalised ten minutes later when Stephenson caught the ball almost on the goal line, pushed it through Flowers' legs and centred for Holden to dive and head it in. This was the best goal of the match. Half time 1-1.

                                                Burnley 1952-53
Thompson who was shaky on occasions in the Burnley goal dropped a Mullen centre, a scramble followed and Hancocks touched it in. Holden played well for Burnley but so did acting captain Shorthouse for Wolves. Cumming s held Swinbourne well throughout, with Wolves danger coming as ever from the the wings. Stockin had a poor day and was very lucky to score two gift goals, both following Hancocks-Mullen moves. Mullen himself got the fifth with a narrow angle shot.

Elliott was very fast on the left wing for Burnley, but could not always control the ball. Bill Slater was man of the match with a fine game against the clever McIlroy.


TUESDAY 21ST APRIL, 1953

BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL RESERVES 1 (Bowen (E)) WOLVES 'A' 1 (Pearce)

Lewis; Freeman, Boyden; Smith, Godderidge (capt), Hodges;
Morris, Scarlett, Duggins, Wright, Bowen (E);

Owen; Showell, Spencer (M); Neale (capt), Wainwright, Bayley;
Dimmer, Stephenson, Jacobs, Murray, Pearce;

E. Bowen not to be confused with 'Toddy' Bowen, a first team regular, put Walsall ahead in the first half following a goalmouth scramble. Pearce, Wolves' outside left, moved to centre forward in the second half and equalised with a fine shot.

Wolves were well served by skipper Dick Neal, Wainwright a tall centre half and centre forward Jacobs. Owen was rather shaky in goal. For Walsall Lewis, Godderidge, Boyden, Hodges and Wright were the best players. Scarlett missed two easy chances which could have won the match for the home side.


THURSDAY 23RD APRIL, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 1 (Bridgett) SWINDON TOWN 2 (Owen, Betteridge)

Chilvers; Rowe, Montgomery; Walters, Horne (capt), Millington;
Bowen (T), Green, Bridgett, Hughes, Giles;

Burton; Hunt, Elwell; Johnstone, Hudson, Williams;
Lunn, Betteridge (capt), Owen, Millar, Bain;

Referee:- S.V. Davis, Oxford

Supporters club official brought round a petition to support Walsall's application for re-election to the league. Among the spectators were current Wolves star Jimmy Mullen and former Wolves player Tom Galley. Walsall played well in the first half but fell off in the second. Thier main failures were Green and Hughes at inside forward.

Montgomery, Horne, Millington and Giles were Walsall's best players. Bridgett headed in Bowen's centre during the first half to give the Saddlers the lead, but Maurice Owen, a fine leader, equalised after a splendid solo run just on half time. Half time 1-1.

Swindon's defence was good, especially Hudson at centre half, who blotted out Bridgett. Horne also did well against the lively Owen and saved two certain goals. He dived full length to head a shot off the line with Chilvers out of goal in the first half, and kicked another out in the second half.

Both outside lefts (Bain and Giles) had quite good games, but it was Betteridge, the former West Bromwich reserve player, who gave a clever inside forward display and scored the winning goal in the very last minute, when put through by Owen.


SATURDAY 9TH MAY, 1953

F.A. YOUTH CUP FINAL (2nd Leg) AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES YOUTH 2 (Smith 2) MANCHESTER UNITED YOUTH 2 (Lewis, Whelan)

Owen; Hodgkiss, Clamp; Timmins, Russell (capt), Bolton;
Stephenson, Booth, Smith, Howells, Cooper;

Clayton; Fulton, Kennedy; Colman, Cope (capt), Edwards;
McFarlane, Whelan, Lewis, Pegg, Scanlon;

Referee:- R.J. Leafe, Nottingham

Wolves having lost the first leg 7-1, had very little chance of victory against a very powerful Manchester United side. However, they put up a much improved performance in front of a big crowd and did well to achieve a draw. Wolves had a powerful half back line and centre forward Smith, who scored both goals, and outside left Len Cooper were the pick of their side.

For United, with several Busby Babes who have already played first division football, Colman, the powerful Duncan Edwards and David Pegg were all outstanding. Wolves fans are not happy that Edwards, such an outstanding schoolboy player from nearby Dudley, was not signed by his local club and allowed to go to Manchester.

So ended a notable season for West Midlands football, all the clubs I watched had a good season, with one notable exception. Poor old Walsall finished bottom of the third division south by twelve points. They only won seven of their forty six matches and conceded 118 goals in the process.They were very fortunate to obtain re-election to the league yet again, which of course would not happen today. A few more seasons to go yet, but before the end of the decade their fortunes would improve dramatically.

The top teams all did well Wolves finishing third and West Bromwich fourth with only one point separating them. Arsenal just pipped Preston North End for the league title on goal average and Wolves were only three points behind. Villa finished half way in eleventh position which was quite respectable but their big following demands better.
Only nine home wins tells its own story.

Birmingham City had another good season in the second division but ended up in sixth place ten points behind Huddersfield Town who were promoted in second place and twelve points behind champions Sheffield United. Stoke and Derby were relegated to the second division and Southampton and Barnsley went down to the third.

The big match - 1 - Blackpool v Spurs

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 21ST MARCH, 1953                           Attendance 68,221

F.A. CUP SEMI FINAL AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

BLACKPOOL 2 (Perry, Mudie) TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 1 (Duquemin)

Farm; Shimwell, Garrett; Fenton, Johnston (capt), Kelly;
Matthews, Taylor, Mudie, Mortenson, Perry;

Ditchburn; Ramsey, Withers; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (capt);
Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, McClellan;

Many people can remember the 'Matthews Cup Final' of 1953 but how many can remember the semi-final which led up to that famous occasion. As a fifteen year old schoolboy I was there at the Witton end where the decisive goal was scored. I had queued up for some time the previous Sunday morning at Villa Park to get a ticket and presume I was the extra one on the attendance figure quoted above. This is how I reported the match at the time.

There was a big cheer from the many Blackpool supporters when Harry Johnston the captain and Stan Matthews came out to look at the pitch. Scores of balloons had to be burst before play could commence. After Mudie had kicked off, Spurs did all the attacking with Syd McClellan (deputising for Les Medley) prominent with his speedy runs down the left wing. Soon, however, Matthews had the ball and showed how easy it was to beat Withers. After a brilliant move by Mudie, Taylor and Matthews, Blackpool got a corner. Matthews placed it perfectly and Perry racing in, jumped and headed it into the net.

   Bill Perry heads the opening goal for Blackpool. Players from left to right are Bailey,
Mortenson, Nicholson, Clarke, Ramsey, Ditchburn, Perry and Withers.


Both goalkeepers were performing well and although Duquemin was chasing everything and shooting at all times, Harry Johnston was playing a blinder. Spurs missed a wonderful chance when McClellan was put through for a move started by Alf Ramsey. McClellan's shot beat Farm but just rolled the wrong side of the post. Then Eddie Bailey headed against the post from a Duquemin free kick. Spurs captain Ron Burgess was everywhere inspiring his men.

Eddie Bailey was also playing well, but during the second half Les Bennett went on the left wing injured, but later he moved over to the right and centred low. Walters, who also played well, let the ball run on to the 'Duke' who pushed it home to level the scores. It was all Spurs now, they threw everything they got into it. Johnston punched the ball off the line, but a free kick had already been awarded to Blackpool.

Then in the last ten minutes Blackpool came back again, Ramsey dived full length to head Perry's shot off the line but disaster overtook him with only seconds remaining. The England full back tried to pass back but the ball stuck in the mud and Jackie Mudie quickly nipped in to put the ball past Ditchburn, who then lay on the ground beating his head on the floor in anguish. What a pity both sides couldn't get to Wembley, but now Matthews has another chance of that elusive cup winners medal.

The fairy tale ending of course came at Wembley against Bolton Wanderers with Matthews, who else, supplying the pass for the winning goal scored by Bill Perry after Stan Mortenson's hat trick. Final score
Blackpool 4 Bolton Wanderers 3.

Matthews, extreme left, on the floor, lays on the winning goal for Bill Perry, extreme right. Mortenson is in the centre of the picture.                                          
                                                                                                  

Midlands resurgence 1952-53 (Part four)

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 31ST JANUARY, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Hancocks pen, Wilshaw, Curtis og) SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 (Marriott)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Flowers, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Stockin, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Capewell; Kenny, Curtis; Whitcomb, Turton (capt), Davies;
Marriott, Sewell, Dooley, Froggatt, Woodhead;

Wolves started off on the attack and Ron Stockin, the former Walsall forward, was soon prominent in his first match. He had bad luck not to score several times. Dooley, the tall and clumsy centre forward, proved a menace to the Wolves defence and when he gained a free kick Wednesday took the lead. Flowers headed Witcomb's free kick straight to Marriott, who gave Williams no chance. This was against the run of play, but Hancocks soon equalised for a penalty for hands.

Only a minute later Wolves were ahead when a shot from Mullen hit Curtis on its way into the net. A heavy snow storm caused play to be stopped, but after only three minutes the referee called the players back again. After making two brilliant saves goalkeeper Capewell was beaten when Wilshaw touched in a hard drive from Hancocks to make the game safe for Wolves.

Capewell and Sewell were Wednesday's best players and for Wolves Billy Wright had a very good game and Ron Stockin made a most promising debut.

The match programme detailed the progress of Wolves youth team who have progressed to the last eight of the new F.A. Youth Cup competition by beating Birmingham City 5-0 at St Andrews.

Sadly only two weeks later Derek Dooley's football career was over. A collision in a match at Preston led to the amputation of his right leg to save his life. The story is told below, but of course Dooley fought back with great courage to have a long and successful career in football management and administration with both Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.
I feel privileged to have seen him play twice and to see him score the winning goal at West Bromwich in January 1953.

SATURDAY 7TH FEBRUARY 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 (Allen, Barlow) MANCHESTER CITY 1 (Revie)

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Kennedy (capt), Barlow;
Griffin, Nicholls, Allen, Ryan, Lee;

Trautmann; Branagan, Little; Revie, Ewing, Paul (capt);
Gunning, Spurdle, Williamson, Broadis, Cunliffe;

Broadis was soon in evidence in the City attack and was to prove their best player easily, although
Paul and Revie also played well. Once Allen got in a grand header but Trautmann made an incredible flying save, diving at full stretch to his right to catch the ball in mid-air. The Manchester backs and centre half Ewing were rather shaky and when Lee beat Branagan on the goal line and centred Allen threw himself full length and headed a brilliant goal.

Cunliffe was very fast on the left wing for City but rather inaccurate with his crosses (Hence the famous line from radio comedian Al Read - 'don't give it to Cunliffe'). After Heath had saved point blank from Williamson and Gunning, Revie shot through a crowd of players to level the score.

Ray Barlow scored a brilliant winning goal, receiving a pass from Allen, he played the ball back to him, took the return pass and then beat three men and shot into the net from twelve yards.

Manchester's light weight forwards were disappointing and although Spurdle was quite good, City would be much better if he and Revie changed places.


SATURDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 (Allen 2, Lee) MIDDLESBOROUGH 0

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Mountford, Evans, Allen, Ryan, Lee;

Ugolini; Bilcliffe, Robinson; Bell, Whittaker, Mulholland;
Rayment, Delaphena, Edwards, Mannion, Fitzsimmons;

Albion took the lead after only five minutes when a pass from Barlow was crashed in by Ronnie Allen.

   Players from the left are Lee, Ugolini, Whittaker, Bilcliffe, Allen and Ryan.

Mountford and Dugdale, the two young reserves, were both playing very well. Mountford once beat three men and Evans was clean through but Ugolini dived at this fee. Middlesborough were very shaky in defence, Bilcliffe had a very poor game at right back and both Whittaker and Bell had plenty to say to him. Half time 1-0.

In the second half Delaphena, who had done little right, changed places with Fitzsimmons. Soon after the re-start Evans crashed a twenty five yard shot against the post. Whittaker miss-kicked several times, he seems to have gone off a lot this season.

Mountford moved to centre forward for a spell and put Lee through brilliantly to score. Allen later returned to the centre to scored the third goal, in what proved to be an easy victory for Albion.


SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY, 1953

F.A. CUP SIXTH ROUND AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA 0 EVERTON 1 (Hickson) 

Parsons; Aldis, Parkes; Blanchflower, Moss (F), Dorsett;
Roberts, Thompson, Walsh, Dixon, Goffin;

O'Neill; Clinton, Lindsay; Farrell (capt), Jones, Lello;
Buckle, Cummins, Hickson, Parker, Eglington;

Six train loads and many more coaches brought thousands of blue and white clad Everton supporters to Villa Park to create an amazing atmosphere.All the gates had been shut twenty minutes before the start with over 60,000 expectant fans packed inside. A large crowd of thousands more were locked out and mounted the higher parts of Aston Park, behind the huge Holt End open terrace, hoping to gain a long distance view of the game. Everton got a much greater reception than the Villa. Every one of their supporters seemed to have a rattle and the noise was deafening.

Peter Farrell won the toss for Wverton, who made the first attacked which ended when Parsons saved a shot from Parker. 'Jock' Lindsay was soon prominent at left back for Everton. He played a splendid game for the whole ninety minutes. Eglington was very fast on the left wing and got across some dangerous centres but Frank Moss was in splend form for Villa and dominated the centre.. The home side madeseveral promising attacks but seemed to fade in the penalty are and O'Neill was not unduly troubled. The enthusiastic Hickson chased every ball but Moss kept him in check. Half time 0-0.

Everton started the second half with a bang, Hickson headed inches over the bar from Eglington's centre and then Parker did likewise. Cummins followed by hitting the bar as Everton continued to press. About quarter of an hour from the end Everton scored when Buckle moved over to the left and passed to Hickson. The blond centre foward beat Moss and passed back to Buckle. When he reached the edge of theare he put inside again and Hickson crashed it home.

The Everton crowd went mad1 You would have thought they had won the cup already. Athe the finish they ran on the filed mobbing Hickson and trying to chair hime off. He was rescued by two policemen who escorted him to the tunnel. A great cup tie made special by the incredible atmosphere created by the crowd.


SATURDAY 7TH MARCH, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT VILLA PARK,BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA 4 (Walsh, Dorsett, Dixon, Thompson) LIVERPOOL 0

Jones; Aldis, Parkes; Blanchflower, Martin, Dorsett (capt);
Gibson, Thompson, Walsh, Dixon, Roberts;

Crossley; Lambert, Spicer; Saunders, Gerhardi, Maloney;
Taylor, Smyth, Bimpson, Payne, A'Court;

Referee:- B.J. Flanagan, Sheffield

Don Welch  Liverpool's manager, walked over the pitch before the kick-off and looked around perhaps remembering previous visits as a Charlton player. Liverpool fielded a very inexperienced side, with a totally new half back line (pictured below), a centre forward Louis Bimpson making his debut, outside right Payne at inside left and only the two full backs have been regulars in recent seasons.

                            Liverpool's new half back line - Saunders, Gerhardi & Maloney

This gave Villa the opportunity to bounce back from last week's cup defeat by Everton. The Liverpool defence was overrun in this match by a forward line inspired by Irishman Dave Walsh and brilliantly prompted by Dick Dorsett and Danny Blanchflower in their contrasting styles at wing half.

Aston Villa 1952-53

                                                           
Villa scored their first goal within fifteen seconds. Gibson streaked down the right wing and Walsh tapped the ball in after Lambert had tried to push it clear. They went further ahead when Dorsett scored with a terrific 35 yard drive. Half time 2-0.

Dixon and Thompson scored further goals in the second half, both from moves started by Walsh. Roberts also had a good game at outside left and Con Martin was firm in defence. The ungainly Bimpson was unlucky not to score, as he went close with headers on three occasions. Gerhardi, the six foot four South African centre half was able to beat Walsh in the air but not on the ground.

Saunders, Maloney, Taylor, Smyth (the former Wolves player) and Payne were Liverpool's best, but they looked a long way from the team of Balmer, Stubbins and Liddell. The latter is of course out injured at present. Maloney only made his debut last Wednesday at Anfield against Bolton in a 0-0 draw. Bimpson was only signed six weeks ago and scored a hat trick in a friendly with Burnley last week.


SATURDAY 14TH MARCH 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 2 (Dean, McIntosh) TORQUAY UNITED 0

Chilvers; Rowe, Walters; Dean, Horne (capt), Green;
Bowen, Knight, McIntosh, Wright, Giles;

Hays; Parfitt, Drinkwater; Lewis, Webber (capt), Norman;
Shaw, Collins, Edds, Mills, Thomas;

Referee;- R.E. Smith, Newport, Mon.

A rare visit for me to Walsall this season and indeed a very rare win for the home side. They are in a perilous position, bottom of the league by no less than eleven points behind Crystal Palace who have three games in hand! Their match last week was a 6-1 thrashing by Bristol City who are vying with neighbours Bristol Rovers for promotion.

Amazingly Walsall took the lead in only the first minute of the game. Bowen centred from the right to Dean, whose splendid shot was headed into the corner of the net by Torquay's player-manager Eric Webber. Dean nearly scored again when he shot just over the bar straight from the restart.

Torquay's forwards combined well but their shooting was not up to standard and when they did get on target Chilvers positioned himself well and made several good saves. Horne was outstanding in defence and although Webber was McIntosh's master in the air, the Scots tricky footwork often had him puzzled.

Knight was a failure at inside right, but Rowe gave a much improved performance at right back. Wright, Giles and Green formed a good left wing triangle. Hays played well in goal for Torquay and was unlucky to concede a second goal when McIntosh put the ball into the net after Knight's shot had been blocked. Hays made another splendid save from McIntosh just before the end.

So a much improved performance from Walsall as they face an uphill task in trying to avoid applying for re-election once again.

Midlands resurgence 1952-53 - (Part three)

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 0

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Baxter, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Smith, Broadbent, Swinbourne, W.J. Slater, Mullen;

Ditchburn; Ramsey, Willis; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (capt);
Walters, Bennett, Duquieman, Harmer, Dicker;

Wolves brought in W.J. Slater, the amateur international, at inside left in place of Doug Taylor. Spurs had a reserve left wing partnership of Harmer and Dicker in place of internationals Bailey and Medley.

The opening of the gates was delayed until 2 o'clock as the Spurs did not arrive until then because of fog around London. Thousands waited outside the ground. One end of the field, which had been marked out with blue lines, still had a light covering of snow, but had been well sanded.
Ditchburn held well a header from Mullen in the first minute. Mullen was prominent in all Wolves' early attacks and Ramsey his direct opponent had problems because of the difficulty in turning on the icy surface. The Wolves forwards were very lively, especially Slater.

Spurs' defence however looked very confident. Baxter had a good game for Wolves and although Harmer showed some nice touches, the Spurs forward line just could not get going. At half time Spurs' captain Ron Burgess moved to outside left because of injury , with Bennett at left half and Dicker at inside forward. This further disrupted Spurs who never looked like scoring. Smith had the best chance of winning the game for Wolves but Ditchburn made a splendid save, diving well to his left.


SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM    Attendance 12,000

BIRMINGHAM CITY 4 (Purdon, Murphy, Trigg pen., Wardle) ROTHERHAM UNITED 0

Merrick; Green, Martin; Boyd (capt), Ferris, Warhurst;
Stewart, Purdon, Trigg, Murphy, Wardle;

Quairney; Selkirk, Noble; Edwards, Gibson, Williams (H);
Grainger, Guest (capt), Shaw, Rawson, Rickett;

Referee:- W.H.E. Evans, Liverpool

A very poor crowd saw the very tall Rotherham team take the field. The visitors played the off-side game throughout. Birmingham played with a strong wind and rain behind them in the first half. It blew one Merrick goal kick straight out at the other end of the field. Murphy got clear on the right and his centre, just clear of the diving Quairney, was tapped in by Purdon.

Ferris kept a tight hold on the dangerous Shaw and all the Rotherham forwards showed a lack of shooting power, although they got many good passes from wing halves Edwards and Williams. Selkirk showed good anticipation at right back.

Murphy, who played well throughout, scored a splendid individual goal and Trigg scored a powerful penalty awarded for hands. Then Wardle, who had a terrible match, scored the fourth from an acute angle which Quairney misjudged. The Rotherham keeper never matched Merrick's coolness and brilliance.


FRIDAY 26TH DECEMBER 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 1 (Swinbourne) SUNDERLAND 1 (Bingham)                Attendance 50,000

 Williams; Short, Pritchard; Wright (capt), Shorthouse, W.J. Slater;
Smith, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Mapson; Stelling, Hedley; Watson, Aitken, Wright (A);
Bingham, Davis, Ford, Kirtley, Reynolds;

In front of a large Boxing Day crowd, Sunderland brought in veteran goalkeeper Johnny Mapson for the injured Threadgold. Aitken moved from wing half to centre half and played a magnificent game, although the man he was marking centre forward Roy Swinbourne scored for Wolves after only ten minutes with a fine header. Irishman Billy Bingham equalised just two minutes later when he received the ball after the left wing had drawn the defence.

Bingham was the best forward afield, his intelligent centres and speedy bursts were causing the crowd to make many complimentary remarks about his prowess. Kirtley and Reynolds were also prominent, but Davis seemed out of place - perhaps a bit overweight. Shorthouse outplayed Trevor Ford until he was injured when tackling the Welsh centre forward and had to go on to the wing.

Billy Wright then moved to centre half. He was the star of the team in both positions and repeated his recent England form at Wembley in subduing Ford once again. Arthur Wright played well for the visitors, but both Ford and Davis were booed for charging goalkeeper Bert Williams. Jimmy Mullen had a lot of the ball and sent across many good centres, but the other forwards could not take advantage of them as Aitken was so dominant in the air.


SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 (Dooley)

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Kennedy (capt), Barlow;
Griffin, Nicholls, Allen, Ryan, Lee;

Capewell; Kenny, Curtis; Gannon, Turton (capt), Witcomb;
Marriott, Sewell, Dooley, Slater, Storrar;

Referee:-  R.P. Hartley, Burnley

Wednesday, the perennial yo-yo team, were promoted last season largely due to the phenomenal scoring record of their centre forward Derek Dooley, who had already established an incredible scoring ability with Wednesday's junior and reserve teams.

It was Albion who started off like world-beaters, shots whizzed over the bar and past the posts. Barlow was playing splendid football to inspire his team. Capewell also made many fine saves. However, after this first barrage Albion faded and Wednesday made several attacks mainly through their small, tricky right wing pair of Marriott and Sewell.

Dooley looked very awkward and Joe Kennedy seemed to have no trouble in subduing him throughout the first half. The young Sheffield left wing pair tried hard, but were plainly out of their class.
Half time 0-0.

Soon after the start of the second half Derek Dooley rose to head the only goal of the game into the empty net, after a Marriott centre had totally deceived goalkeeper Norman Heath. Sewell seemed to be the only consistently good forward on the field and Turton, the Wednesday captain and centre half, played a splendid game throughout. Curtis, at left back, also had a good game and cleared two certain goals off the line to help his side to rather a surprise victory.
    


SATURDAY 10TH JANUARY, 1953

CENTRAL LEAGUE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES RESERVES 2 (Cooper, Both) EVERTON RESERVES 2 (Lewis 2)

Sims; Short, Guttridge; W.J. Slater (capt), Russell, Clamp;
Dimmer, Stockin, Whitfield, Booth, Cooper;

Leyland; Tansey, Anderton; Rae, Woods, Melville;
McNamara, Thomas, Moore (capt), Lewis, Easthope;


Wolves were captained by amateur international Bill Slater and Everton by former first team full back Moore, who played at centre forward. Len Cooper, who played in the all conquering Brierly Hill Schoolboys team made his first Central League appearance for Wolves.

For most of the game the strong Everton defence held the Wolves, but towards the end it cracked and Wolves scored twice. Everton's main danger came from their wingers, McNamara and Easthope, who often had the Wolves' full backs in trouble. Everton took the lead when the outside right dispossessed Guttridge on the edge of the area, drew Sims from his goal and passed the ball inside to Lewis who had an easy task to push the ball into an empty net.

The second Everton goal came after Thomas had made a brilliant run to the goal line. He crossed the ball across goal and Lewis again had a simple task to push the ball home. Towards the end of the game Wolves really piled on the pressure and young Cooper headed in a Dimmer centre after Whitfield had missed it. Booth scored the equaliser soon afterwards. He was clean through but shot straight at Leyland from only six yards out, however the ball rebounded to him from the goalkeeper and he time to control it, turn round and hit it past the prostrate keeper.



SATURDAY 17TH JANUARY, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 (Purdon, Trigg) WEST HAM UNITED 0

Merrick; Hall, Green; Bannister, Ferris, Boyd (capt); Stewart, Purdon, Trigg, Murphy, Wardle;

Gregory (E); Wright, Bond; Parker, Allison, O'Farrell; Woodgate, Gregory (J). Kearns, Gazzard, Andrews;

Referee;- W. Ling, Stapleford, Cambs

Merrick, the England goalkeeper, was mobbed by autograph hunters when the teams came out. Birmingham took the lead in the first minute, Murphy crossed the ball from the left, both O'Farrell and Purdon missed it, but Purdon turned round quickly to crack the ball in. Play was even for the rest of the first half, but both sides missed chances to score. Ernie Gregory made one splendid save from Murphy.

Woodgate and Gazzard were livewires in West Ham's forward line. Bannister and Hall were both playing well for Birmingham and Ferris held a tight grip on Kearns throughout the math.
Trigg's wandering often had Malcolm Allison bothered and Parked was the pick of West Ham's defence, apart from goalkeeper Gregory. Andrews, a small winger something like Stewart, was very fast and tricky. Cyril Trigg clinched victory for the home side with the second goal after a goalmouth mix up.


SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY, 1953

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Hancocks, Mullen, Wilshaw) DERBY COUNTY 1 (Stamps pen)

Williams; Short, Guttridge; Flowers, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, W.J. Slater, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Townsend; Mozley, Savin; McLachlan, Oliver, Musson;
Whatley, Hazeldine, Parry, Stamps, McLaren;

Referee:- Mr J. McGann, Preston

Mullen got clean through in the very first minute, but shot just wide of the post with only the advancing Townsend to beat. Derby played the off-side trap, but it was all Wolves early on. Townsend, apparently lying helpless on the floor, scooped a header from Slater off the line. After twenty five minutes Hancocks scored when he dispossessed Savin, crossed it to Mullen, who centred. Swinbourne missed it and Hancocks ran in to score from a narrow angle.

Derby were playing good football but only Stamps wanted to shoot. Wolves scored again when Slater lobbed the ball in to Mulllen whose shot hit the post then centre half Oliver before going into the net.
Then Shorthouse handled and Stamps scored easily from the spot to make it 2-1. Hancocks and Mullen both played well and got in several good shots.

Hancocks knocked the burly Townsend off his feet with a fierce twenty yarder before Wilshaw got the third goal following a Hancocks corner. Just before the end Williams made a fine save from Parry.

Midlands resurgence 1952-53 (Part two)

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 2 (Broadbent, Batty og) NEWCASTLE UNITED 0

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Flowers, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Smith, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Robinson (R); Cowell, Batty; Casey, Brennan, Crowe;
Walker, Davies, Robledo (G), Hannah, Prior;

Referee:- J.H. Clough, Bolton

Wolves started off on the attack. After about ten minutes, Smith had a centre-cum-shot which Robinson fumbled on the line and Broadvent pushed it into the net. Wright was outstanding  yet again for Wolves and Shorthouse blotted Robledo out of the game completely.

After twenty three minutes Wolves scored again, left back Batty diverting a  shot from Mullen into his own goal. Robinson played well after his early blunder and made some good saves. Hannah was the best of the Newcastle forwards together with Prior in flahses. Swinbourne led the Wolves line with styloe and made Robinson (who resembles Bolton's Stan Hanson) make several flying saves.

On Wednesday 15th October with National Service still applying for all 18 year olds (footballers included) the Army fielded a very strong side in a friendly match against Aston Villa at Aldershot.
Fraser (Airdrie); Gunter (Portsmouth), Webb (Leicester); Marchi (Spurs),Twentyman (Carlisle Utd), Fenton (Blackpool); Kaye (Barnsley), Simpson (Huddersfield Town), Hines (Leicester), Parry (Derby),
Nutt (Coventry City);
The Army side won 3-1 with goals from Derek Hines, Arthur Kaye and Tony Marchi.
 

SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM

BIRMINGHAM CITY 0 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 (Watson, Glazzard)

Merrick; Green, Martin; Boyd, Badham, Warhurst;
Stewart, Murphy, Briggs, Purdon, Cox;

Wheeler; Staniforth, Kelly: McGarry, McEvoy, Quested;
Gunn, Watson, Glazzard, Cavanagh, Metcalfe;

Referee:- R.J. Leafe, Nottingham

Huddersfield dominated the game in their change strip of white shirts, and thoroughly deserved to win. All the team played well, but only Badham on the Blues side enhanced his reputation. He blotted out Glazzard for most of the game.
Wheeler made some good saves against his old team, Staniforth was outstanding, McEvoy played very well and Watson was very good with his head, scoring the first goal from a Metcalfe centre.

      Birmingham City's goal at St Andrews this afternoon.


Glazzard scored the second in similar fashion and Tommy Cavanagh proved a very good deputy for
Willie Davie. Metcalfe was very elusive on the left wing and sent some excellent centre as well as making good use of the long cross-field pass, as did Alastair Gunn on the other wing. Stewart was the liveliest Blues forward but Purdon was right off form, as was Boyd.  Referee R.J. Leafe kept a tight hold on proceedings.

On Wednesday 22nd October a very strong FA XI, full of England hopefuls, took on the RAF.
The FA XI were:- Ashcroft (Liverpool); Green (Birmingham City), Willemse (Chelseaa); Shaw (Arsenal), Kennedy and Barlow (both W.B.A.); White (Rotherham), Quixall (Sheffield Wednesday), Swinbourne and Wilshaw (both Wolves), Kiernan (Charlton);
The RAF side were:- Finlayson (Milwall); Sillett (Southampton), Cunningham (St Mirren); McQuarrie (Queens Park), Flowers (Wolves), Edwards (Bolton); Hubbard (Rangers), Mudie (Blackpool), Gaskell (Southport), Broadbent (Wolves), Beards (Bolton);
Mudie, who captained the RAF, scored in the first minute, but that was their only goal as the FA XI cruised to an 8-1 victory with Quixall 2, Swinbourne 3, Kiernan, Wilshaw and Barlow the scorers.
Quixall was the star of the show making four goals as well as scoring two.

SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Smith, Swinbourne, Wilshaw) MIDDLESBOROUGH 3 (Edwards, Russell, Mannion)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Flowers, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Smith, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Ugolini; Robinson, Dicks; Bell, Blenkinsopp,Russell;
Lawrie, Mannion, Edwards, Fitzsimmons, Mochan;

Boro' set the pace with a much changed side, winger Edwards moved t centre forward with 17 year old Lawrie coming in on the right wing. Edwards tried hard and headed in a corner from Mochan,which Williams fumbled, to give the visitors the lead. Leslie Smith deputising for Hancocks on the right wing for Wolves crashed in the equaliser after Mullen had taken the ball to the goal line before centrering to the unmarked Smith.

Ugolini made some good saves, especially one from Broadbent. Wolves went ahead again when Swinbourne headed in a Mullen corner. Then Wilshaw did likewise to make it 3-1. Boro' seemed to have gone to pieces and Wolves piled on the pressure with Smith in brilliant form. Pritchard at right back however was often shaky against the youngster Lawrie.

In a sensational recovery Boro' scored twice in the last minutes! In a goalmouth scramble Williams made a terrific save from Fitzsimmons but lay helpless as Russell screwed it in. Then Mannion scored with a shot which Williams saved but could not hold and the bull spun into the net.



SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 (Ryan, Lee) ARSENAL 0 

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Kennedy, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Nicholls, Lee;

Kelsey; Wade, Smith (L); Forbes, Daniel, Mercer (capt);
Milton, Logie, Goring, Lishman, Roper;

Referee:- F.A. Finendon, Bucks

Lionel Smith was soon prominent at left back for Arsenal and stopped Griffin several times in the opening stage. The Albion half back line was in splendid form, blotting out the visitors' inside trio.
Rickaby also played well against the dangerous Roper. Arsenal, who were well supported, never really got going although the young Welshman Jack Kelsey in goal made many fine saves.

Albion scored following a brilliant move in the fourteenth minute. Dudley put Griffin away and when his centre came over, Allen feinted to head the ball, but let it go to the unmarked Lee who scored. The hard working Ryan deservedly scored the second goal.

Kennedy was in terrific form in the air and on the ground and was Albion's outstanding player. Ray Daniel had quite a good game for Arsenal and Doug Lishman had flashes of brilliance, but none of the Arsenal players seemed to strike form in what was a relatively easy win for the Albion.


SATURDAY 15TH NOVEMBER, 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION ON AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 BLACKPOOL 1 (Mortenson)

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Kennedy, Barlow;
Griffin, Nicholls, Allen, Cutler, Lee;

Farm; Shimwell, Garrett; Fenton, Johnston (capt), Kelly;
Hobson, Taylor, Mortenson, Brown, Perry;

Referee:- L.N. Peak, Rotherham

Albion brought in 17 year old Reg Cutler as deputy for Ryan who was playing for Eire in an international match. Blackpool were without Stanley Matthews, but were otherwise at full strength.
The visitors settled down to play good football from the start, but Albion could not get into their stride.In a goalmouth  scramble Barlow's clearance hit teamate Rickaby in the face and Hobson hit the underside of the bar. Dudley did the same at the other end.

Young Cutler was showing some good touches and put Lee through several times only for Shimwell to stop him on each occasion. Mortenson's speed was worrying Kennedy and the tricky Ernie Taylor beat Barlow several times. Alan Brown had two good shots go just wide for Blackpool. Half time 0-0

Straight after the interval Blackpool took the lead. Perry ran down the wing and his strong shot along the ground beat Heath.  Just as it was going wide Mortenson dashed in and tapped it over the line.
Only Dudley in defence and Allen and Lee in the forwards were on form for Albion. Nicholls was an obvious weakness and Cutler needs more experience. The Blackpool team on the other hand had not weak link.


SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 1952

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 0 BOURNEMOUTH 1 (Fidler) - Match abandoned after 42 minutes (snow)

Chilvers; Freeman, Montgomery; Walters (capt), Horne, Green;
Morris McIntosh, Bridgett, Wright, Giles;

Godwin; Cunningham, Fisher; McDponald, Hughes, Neave (capt);
Stroud, Buchanan, Fidler, Eyre, Harrison;

Referee:- L.A.M. Mackay, London

Walsall, already struggling at the bottom of the league with only nine points from nineteen games, were knocked out of the F.A. Cup in the first round last week, losing at Newport 2-1. By all accounts they were very unlucky not to get a last minute equaliser which would have forced a replay.

However the need for league points remains their priority and none were forthcoming today in very strange circumstances. Snow began to fall just before the kick off and fell throughout the match. Both teams attacked but could not get in a shot. The icy surface was proving very difficult for the players and once Chilvers fell when well out of goal. Only a last minute tackle from Les Horne, on debut after signing from Plymouth, stopped Fidler from scoring.

Horne of course is a local lad, from Dudley, and spent some time with West Bromwich Albion before joining Plymouth. He had a good game and his passing was very accurate. Chilvers made a fine save from Buchanan and punched another shot from Fidler out to Stround who centred it back to the former Leeds United centre forward, who shot into the net.

The Walsall forwards were very lively and went near several times. Hughes, from Chelsea, played a very fine game at deputy centre half for the visitors. However three minutes before half time the referee consulted a linesman and decided to abandon the match as all the markings had been obliterated by the heavy snow.

A few miles down the road the snow cannot have been as heavy as West Bromwich Albion were able to beat Manchester United 3-1 at the Hawthorns. The game was noteworthy for the debut of 17 year old centre forward Eddie Lewis for United and the following picture shows him scoring on his first appearance.