sports

Boxing at Mansfield House 1931

Boxing at Mansfield House in 1931. Boxing was one of the many recreational activities encouraged at Fairbairn Hall, Barking Road, run by the Mansfield House Settlement.

Boxing at Mansfield House 1931

Australian Sportsman and West Ham

Plans have been announced that the Australian Olympic team are going to set up their Headquarters in Newham for the 2012 Games at the new Westfield Centre at Stratford, well the Sporting stars of Australia had a `second home` with West Ham (now Newham) for many years.


Since the arrival of Speedway (Dirt Track) Racing from Australia in 1928, invented by the Great Australian Showman Johnnie Hoskins in 1923, the Australians have always seen West Ham as being a` Home` for their Champions.


The first-ever Speedway meeting at West Hams Custom House Stadium in July 1928 showed three Australians who were to become Champions in Great Britain, Paddy Dean (who won the West Ham Invitation Handicap at this meeting), Billy Galloway and `Buzz` Hibbard (who became a member of the first West Ham team in 1929 along with another Aussie, Les Maguire).


Later, a young Australian called Arthur Wilkinson arrived and became a member of the team.


He was to become West Ham’s First World Speedway Champion in 1938, and know to all as `Bluey`.

Australian Sportsman and West Ham

West Ham Speedway Supporters Badge

Gold metal and red and blue enamel badge, pin fixing, marked Birmingham Medal Co.This type issued in 1937.


Speedway arrived at West Ham in July 1928.  Alderman Jack Jones, MP, opened the first meeting. The last meeting was in 1972. The supporters club ceased in the 1980s.


Badge property of Bill Durie

West Ham Speedway Supporters Badge

Cup Winners

West Ham United's victory cavalcade at East Ham Town Hall following their FA cup win over Preston North End.

Cup Winners

West Ham United

West Ham United Football Club in 1900-01, the year they were formed from three amateur teams, one of which was Thames Ironworks.

West Ham United

Tramway Football Team

West Ham Tramways Department Football Team, seen here at West Ham Stadium on Friday, 8th May, 1931.

Tramway Football Team

Elston & Sons

 Red Rose Cycles sold bicycles for the popular sport of cycling .

Elston & Sons

Wrestling at Granada East Ham

A poster advertising wrestling at the Granada Barking Road East Ham on Thursday 31 October 1968. London versus The Rest. The Granada East Ham was a well Known entertainment venue. The Granada is now a Bingo Hall.


Copy of a poster owned by K.Taylor

Wrestling at Granada East Ham

West Ham Police Swimming Club Shield.

The Lightning Shield For Rescue Work, presented to West Ham Police Swimming Club (K Division) October 1910, by Edward Cook & Co. Ltd, the soap & disinfectant specialists. Bow. London. E. Winners listed :-


1910 PC Frank Pile. 1911 PC Frank Pile. 1912 PC W Simmons.           1913 PC W Simmons. 1918 PC W Chiswell. 1919 PC W Simmons.      1920 PS House. 1922 PC Jarman. 1923 PC Burrell. 1924 PC Burrell.   1925 Stn Sgt House (promoted since 1920, perhaps?)                      1926 Stn Sgt House. 1927 PC T Brown. 1928 PC T Brown. 1929 PC T Brown (Bow) 1930 No Competition. 1931 PC Tuck (Limehouse)        1934 PC Gardner. 1936 PC Pratt.


Part of Newham Heritage & Archives collection

West Ham Police Swimming Club Shield.

Balaam Street Baths

Balaam Street Baths was to prove the training ground of many famous swimmers.

Balaam Street Baths
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