When the Hammers came to Bilbao

On May 15, 1921, Athletic Club hosted West Ham United in the first of four friendlies held at San Mamés over a week-long period.

While on a wider tour of Spain -the first foreign tour in West Ham’s history- the Hammers defeated the Lions three times before ending their visit with a victory against a Basque national XI.

Athletic would often see out a season by organising exhibition matches against foreign opposition and there was a lot of excitement when these particular fixtures were announced.

Although English football had turned professional in 1885, there were no pros on Athletic’s books until 1926. So whenever a professional side came to San Mamés, local fans were always keen to see them live in action.

By the end of the 1920-21 season, West Ham were one of the better teams in the English Second Division. The Irons, led by long-term manager Syd King, had finished fifth in the league with 48 points.

The star player in a strong squad was Syd Puddefoot, the forward scored 29 times during the 1920-21 season and in 1922 was sold to Scottish side Falkirk FC for a world-record transfer fee of 5,000 pounds.

West Ham were a well-run outfit. Only two seasons after these friendlies, the East London team were promoted to the First Division and reached the FA Cup final for the first time, where they lost to Bolton Wanderers. It was Wembley Stadium’s inaugural match and became known as the ‘White Horse Final’ because of the lone mounted police-officer who cleared thousands of fans from the pitch before kick-off.

Meanwhile, Athletic were coming off the back of a successful season. Under the management of ex-Hammers player Billy Barnes, the Lions won the Copa for a ninth time, beating Atlético Madrid 4-1 in the final on May 8.

Athletic Club had one of the most talented squads around and several first-team players, such as Pichichi, Sabino, Belauste and Acedo, were part of the Spanish national team that won silver at the Antwerp Olympics in 1920.

On May 13, West Ham’s travelling party arrived in Bilbao. The press reported that Hammer’s squad included the following players: Hurton, Burton, Cope, Allan, Tresadern, Woodards, Puddefort, Butchard, Watson, Simmons, Bishop, Lee, Tirrell, MacCrail, Kay and Leafe.

Furthermore, thanks to later match reports, it is known that Leslie Robinson and William James were also with the team.

Match 1 – May 15, 1921

The Hammers stunned Athletic in the first fixture, running away with a 0-6 victory. The visiting side scored four goals in the first half and hit the back of the net twice after the break.

Three West Ham forwards got on the scoresheet: Robinson got a hat-trick, James scored twice and Puddefoot got the other.

West Ham’s dominance was put down to the “truly phenomenal” Puddefoot and the “stupendous link-up play” between the attackers.

Bilbao’s press was in awe of West Ham’s clinical and direct approach, with one newspaper stating that “this team of English professionals is, without contest, the best team we’ve ever hosted”.

Match 2 – May 16, 1921

The following day, the two teams faced off again. The Hammers won for a second day running, but this time Athletic put up more of a fight.

The Irons took the lead after scoring from a corner within the first twenty minutes and while Athletic had chances to level, they lacked accuracy in front of goal.

After the restart, Athletic struggled to cope with “the Englishmen’s attacks down the left wing, which were dangerous and effective”. West Ham’s extra level of fitness and physicality saw them bag three more goals, taking the match away from the Lions.

The forward trio of Puddefoot (x2), Robinson and James had put the Lions’ defence to the sword yet again.

However, Athletic did manage a consolation goal. Club talisman Pichichi, in his penultimate match before retirement, provided the assist, playing Carmelo through on goal with such a precise pass that the latter only had to tap it in.

Match 3 – May 19, 1921

The third fixture was arranged at the last minute. Initially, Athletic’s board had planned for West Ham to face Newcastle United at San Mamés in an exhibition of professional football. But when it became apparent the Magpies could not make it, Athletic took their place.

The Lions brought in reinforcements from other parts of the Basque Country, and although the encounter was much more competitive than the previous two fixtures, the Hammers won again.

Athletic’s starting XI was: Amann, Begiristain, Hurtado, Sabino, Belauste, Peña, Acedo, Laka, Arbide, Pichichi, Agirrezabala

By half-time the touring side were 0-2 up. In the second half, Pichichi, with his last ever goal for Athletic, pulled one back with a volley. It looked like the Lions might manage to snatch a draw. But West Ham struck again, making the final score 1-3.

Match 4 – May 22, 1921

The fourth and last match of the series saw West Ham play a Basque Country XI. In fact, it was one of the first occasions in which a team made up of footballers from all over the Basque Country played together.

The Basque XI: Jauregi (Arenas Club), Vallana (Arenas Club), Hurtado (Athletic), Eguizabal (Real Unión Irún), Gamborena (Real Unión Irún), Peña (Arenas Club), Echeveste (Real Unión Irún), Pichichi (Athletic Club), Patricio (Real Unión Irún), Carmelo (SD Deusto), Acedo (Athletic Club).

Although West Ham took the lead in the third minute, the combined Basque XI offered the Hammers a much sterner test.

The first half saw both sides play precise, direct, attacking football, and at half-time a sold-out San Mamés gave the players a standing ovation. There were no more goals in the second half and West Ham held on to win 0-1.

Apart from being one of the earliest matches played by a Basque national team, the fixture also holds the distinction of being Pichichi’s last ever appearance as a footballer.

The friendly matches against West Ham, as well as all the other foreign opponents Athletic hosted in those early days, served dual purposes: The full stands helped the Club generate income, and on the pitch, the Lions tested themselves against some of the best players in Europe.

It was eighty years before Athletic played West Ham again, visiting the Boleyn Ground in 2001-02 for Julian Dicks’ testimonial, which Athletic won 1-2 thanks to goals by Ismael Urzaiz and Fran Yeste.

The most recent clash between the two sides came in August 2019-20. Athletic fans travelled from all over to watch the match at the London Stadium. The friendly finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, but the Lions won the subsequent penalty shootout 2-4.

*Header photo shows Athletic XI which won the Copa final in 1921.