Westhampton City were one of the teams of the 1930s, winning the title in 34/35 and finishing runners up in 38/39, while providing three players for the England team. If not for the dominant Melchester Rovers side of the same decade, the Hampers would have won a whole lot more.
A long run challenging in the First Division ended in 46/47 with relegation and poor Westhampton would find themselves battling away in the Third Division South, winning promotion alongside Redstoke in 52/53. Westhampton would hop between the Second and First Divisions for the next few years, but remarkably winning the title in 64/65. Another brief period in the top flight was ended with relegation in 75/76, but City still managed to upset Melchester Rovers on the final day to deny Roy Race's side the title.
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| Already relegated Westhampton deny Melchester |
It wouldn't be until the early 80s that Westhampton, under Dave Burnett, would re-establish themselves as First Division competitors. While Burnett can take the credit for getting City back in the big time, it was the emergence of a miracle footballer, Rob Smith, that would take Westhampton's game to another level.
Signed in the summer of 85 and unbeknown to his team-mates, Smith was actually a robot, specially designed and programmed to be a master striker. He felt no pain and had infinate stamina, along with a rocket of a shot. Smith, known by his creator as Project 917 replaced the useful, but limited, Pete Cannon up front. Burnett already had England international Rob Harding at centre back and exciting young Italian Aldo Ascoli in the number ten jersey. Smith's unnatural talent was the perfect addition. Once the team had discovered the secret they were more than happy to cover up the various problems caused by Rob's malfunctions.
While Smith was brilliant, Westhampton weren't good enough to challenge for honours. However, they were invited to tour the US in the summer of 86. Rob was the star attraction, but after foiling a hijacking attempt on the flight out, the American crowd were obsessed. Over 100,000 showed up for the first tour game against San Jose Giants. Rob wasn't quite right, altitude had affected his circuits, but at half-time he managed to foil an attempt to steal the gate money. In the second half he exploded scoring four goals.
However, with his secret about to be exposed, the robot footballer would jump into a river never to be seen again.
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| Rob Smith nets against San Jose Giants |
Without Smith, Westhampton were soon relegated and spent a decade in the Second Division. City were back in the top flight in the late 90s, enjoying a short run in the Premier League, but they never came as close to glory as they did with Project 917 at centre forward.
Players:
Aldo Ascoli Westhampton FW 10 85/86
Blaster Barnes Westhampton CF/WG 84/85
Baton Westhampton D 84/85
Len Brennan Westhampton GK 1 85/86
Billy Brookside Westhampton CM 79
Pete Cannon Westhampton CF 9 85/86
Capper Westhampton RB 2 52/53
Danks Westhampton LH 6 52/53
Dewes Westhampton GK 1 52/53
Pete Duncan Westhampton RW 7 85/86
Mitch Fawson Westhampton LW 11 52/53
Rick Getson Westhampton 7 76/77
Les Gunn Westhampton CF 9 52/53
Mick Harding Westhampton CB 5 ENG 85/86
Hilliman Westhampton CH 5 52/53
Hubble Westhampton GK 1 57/58
Hurst Westhampton IL 10 52/53
Jones Westhampton IL 10 57/58
Mackie Westhampton RW 7 52/53
Dave Morgan Westhampton FW 10 85/86
Mountney Westhampton LB 3 52/53
O'Heary Westhampton D 84/85
Piper Westhampton RH 4 52/53
Ponds Westhampton D 84/85
Quirt Westhampton CF 9 57/58
Rob Smith Westhampton CF 9 85/86
Lol Stoddard Westhampton CF ENG 80
Tomes Westhampton IR 8 52/53
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