The 1932–33 season was West Ham's first season back in the Second Division following their relegation in the previous season. The club were managed at the start of the season by Syd King.
Season summary Two days after losing their ninth game of the season, on 7 November King was sacked. He was replaced by Charlie Paynter. King who was reputed to have had problems with alcohol and had previously turned up at board meetings drunk and had taken West Ham's relegation the previous season badly such that it had affected his mental health. A month after his sacking, King committed suicide by drinking alcohol laced with a "corrosive substance". An inquest into his death concluded that he had been suffering from paranoia and that he had taken his life "whilst of unsound mind".
In the league, they finished in 20th place just one place above a relegation spot having not been higher than 16th all season. Their defence was the poorest in the league ranking 22nd letting in 93 goals at an average of 2.21 goals every game. A run of four wins in their last five games moved them out of the relegation places with one game of the season remaining. This included their only away win of the season, at Old Trafford against Manchester United. The winning goal in a 2–1 victory was scored by Arthur Wilson who many years later recalled the goal; "It was a real belter from 30 yards. The ball hit the underside of the bar and struck the goalkeeper on the back of the neck before crossing the line. The force of the shot knocked him to the floor". The players were promised a continental tour if they managed to beat relegation. This did not materialize.
The club's top scorer was Vic Watson with 28 goals; 24 in the league and four in the FA Cup.
West Ham reached the semi-final of the FA Cup before losing to Everton whose goals were scored by Dixie Dean and Ted Critchley. Everton went on to contest, and win, an all Lancashire final against Manchester City.
Second Division
Results West Ham United's score comes first
Legend WinDrawLoss
Football League Second Division DateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 27 August 1932 Swansea CityA0-115,247 29 August 1932 Bradford CityH2-410,964Pollard, Mills 3 September 1932 Notts CountyH1-110,656Puddefoot 7 September 1932 Bradford CityA1-517,137Watson 10 September 1932 Port ValeA0-49,582 17 September 1932 MillwallH3-025,496Watson (2), Morton 24 September 1932 SouthamptonA3-411,636Watson, Morton (2) 1 October 1932 BuryA0-112,848 8 October 1932 Lincoln CityA0-69,887 15 October 1932 Oldham AthleticH5-213,161Norris (3), Watson, Morton 22 October 1932 Preston North EndA1-48,525Mills 29 October 1932 BurnleyH4-412,009Watson (3), Morton 5 November 1932 Bradford Park AvenueA0-314,861 12 November 1932 Grimsby TownH5-211,481Yews, Watson, Wilson (2), Jacobson (og) 19 November 1932 Stoke CityA0-011,225 26 November 1932 Charlton AthleticH7-318,347Barrett, Yews, Watson (2), Wilson (2), Morton 3 December 1932 Nottingham ForestA2-27,399 Watson, Wilson 10 December 1932 Manchester UnitedH3-113,435 Watson (2), Wilson 17 December 1932 Tottenham HotspurA2-245,129Morton, Whatley (og) 24 December 1932 Plymouth ArgyleH2-221,312Barrett, Morton 26 December 1932 FulhamA2-426,932Watson, Puddefoot 27 December 1932 FulhamH1-132,237Watson 31 December 1932 Swansea CityH3-116,876Barrett, Watson (2) 7 January 1933 Notts CountyA0-211,437 21 January 1933 Port ValeH5-013,908Barrett, Watson (2), Wilson (2) 31 January 1933 MillwallA0-14,063 4 February 1933 SouthamptonH3-116,521Watson, Wilson (2) 11 February 1933 BuryA1-67,516Barrett 6 March 1933 Preston North EndH1-18,648Puddefoot 11 March 1933 BurnleyA0-410,771 13 March 1933 Oldham AthleticA2-37,159Mills, Wood 20 March 1933 Bradford Park AvenueH2-17,258Watson (2) 25 March 1933 Grimsby TownA1-28,546Wilson 27 March 1933 Lincoln CityH0-09,836 1 April 1933 Stoke CityH1-219,104Barrett 8 April 1933 Charlton AthleticA1-321,487Barrett 14 April 1933 ChesterfieldA0-111,974 15 April 1933 Nottingham ForestH4-316,925Barrett, Wood, Goulden, Morton 17 April 1933 ChesterfieldH3-118,394Pollard, Watson, Morton 22 April 1933 Manchester UnitedA2-114,958Morton, Wilson 29 April 1933 Tottenham HotspurH1-031,706Wilson 6 May 1933 Plymouth ArgyleA1-410,444Hardie (og)
FA Cup
+RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorersR314 January 1933 CorinthiansA2-016,421Pollard, WatsonR428 January 1933 West Bromwich AlbionH2-037,222Wilson, WatsonR518 February 1933 Brighton & Hove AlbionA2-232,310Musgrave, WatsonR5 Replay22 February 1933 Brighton & Hove AlbionH1-036,742MortonR64 March 1933 Birmingham CityH4-044,242Pollard, Wilson, Morton, Barkas (og)Semi-Final18 March 1933 EvertonMolineux1-237,936Watson
Squad
References