Three events stand out in this season: achievement of Leyton’s highest ever league position, seventh in the First Division of the Southern League; a change of colours from blue to white shirts, and the signing of Charles Buchan.
On the playing side, Walter Busby was retained, as were James Gray, Jack Diss, George Ryder and Kenneth Hunt. David Buchanan was player/manager. Ryder and Buchan were destining to be the joint top scorers with fourteen a piece.
It is the story of the signing of Charles Buchanan that was the story of the season - you can read more about that in a piece by Huw Richards on page 32.
In the FA Cup, Leyton were drawn away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid January. Conditions were dreadful, the ground covered in frost and with a thick fog prevailing. Chelsea found themselves without Vivian Woodward, their English centre forwward, but it was young Buchan who appeared to be the most capable forward. The farcical game ended without either team scoring, so a replay ensured. With improved conditions, the Football League side were able to see what they were doing and eventually ran out winners by two goals to nil. After the game, Chelsea made an approach for Buchan, only rejecting the fee of £800 being asked for. It was to be a costly error of judgement.
Results-wise, there were some impressive performances against Bristol Rovers and Brentford who were both beaten 4-1, while Southampton were beaten 4-0. It was Leyton’s form at the end of the season which cost them an even-higher finish though, winning just one of their last five games.
In a 2-1 defeat to Southampton on bonfire night, Jimmy Durrant was “at loggerheads” with Southampton’s Robertson, and ordered off the field. He would later receive a 14-day suspension for his actions.
But the key part of Leyton’s success was consistency. Goalkeeper John Whitbourne played all but four of Leyton’s league games, and Tommy Coxon missed one fewer.
