At the end of hostilities in Europe, on 11 November 1918 a number of troops began to return to England. One of the first things they did was to go back to their clubs, looking for a game of football. Some clubs reformed and started playing friendlies. By the end of the year, gates were on the increase, but the crowds and players craved for competitive football.

The Isthmian League started an emergency competition. A few clubs that had not played in the Isthmian League before the war met and formed the United Senior League. The League was conceived in December 1918 and ran from Janary 4th to April 1919. The league comprised of Tufnell Park, Barnet Alston, Catford Southend, Wimbledon, Southall, G.W.R., Darracq and ourselves, known at the time as Hampstead Town.

Before this league started, however, we played three friendlies at the end of December, playing at home to Barnet Alston on the 21st, hosting a strong Handley Page XI on Boxing Day, and two days later hosting Custom House at the Avenue Ground.

We do not have any record of the result, scorers or a report of the first of the three games, but we know that the following match against Handley Page, on Boxing Day, produced six goals. However, although we know that the game finished 3-3, we have no other details. Two days later, Custom House were visitors to the Avenue. Hampstead fielded some trialists for this game who failed to come up to the high standard required, but despite this, Hampstead could still call upon a strong squad, again drawing 3-3.

The London Senior League started for us on Saturday 4th January 1919, reported by the Hendon Advertiser as follows: " Although not victors in their first United Senior League encounter at the Avenue Ground, Childs Hill, Hampstead Town put up a creditable performance against a better trained and better balanced team in Southall, and proved to their large crowd of supporters that when they get into their stride, they will win matches.

"A. Lord, Southall's crack centre-forward notched four goals, before T.B.Poltock, whose form is giving much pleasure to the Town officials and admirers, reduced the lead with a couple of splendid efforts, and when H.T.Caves gave the locals further encouragement with a pretty goal, hopes ran high.

"Knight, at inside-right, however, made victory certain for Southall, who won a fast and exciting game by five goals to three. L.G. Mellish, in goal for Hampstead for the first time, gave a splendid display and undoubtedly saved his side from a heavy defeat, whilst G.H.Garlick performed admirably and in characteristic fashion on the Town left wing."

The next edition of that paper tells us that Hampstead Town beat Catford Southend on a ground with a significant slope, making the game rather tough. Catford won the toss and decided to kick uphill, in the hope of capitalising in the second half, but Hampstead scored three times before the interval, T.B.Poltock getting a hat-trick, each of the goals being mainly attributable to "brilliant individualistic effort, dribbling, feinting and outwitting the defence in clever fashion". Catford responded quickly with a close range effort from their centre-half Witmarsh. Hampstead's lead was not too secure, but although Catford made strenuous attempts to win, they only managed to register one more goal through Hallowes."

The Town's third game paired them with Barnet Alston at the Avenue Ground on Saturday 18th January, the Hendon Advertiser carrying the following report: "Hampstead Town achieved a fine success by six goals to one, and, as prophesied, are developing a very strong side.

"A fine afternoon, and a bumper victory materially assisted the club's effort on behalf of Hampstead Gratitude Week (The King's Fund), and the locals were greatly pleased by the display.

"Barnet opened the score with a good shot by J.Saunders, and thoughout played strenuous football, but the Town were out to win handsomely, and their goals were scored by W.Saunders, a new-comer on the right wing, T.B.Poltock (2) and Charlie Allwright (3), the last named, a noted amateur footballer, proving a fine acquisition for Hampstead.

The following Saturday, Hampstead Town were away to Great Western Railway. Thuram, scored Hampstead's first goal after about 20 minutes of play from a "pretty pass" by Bullough, notching two further goals from equally good openings created by the Town, one of which was still in the first half, the other into the second. The same player then provided his centre-forward with good chance, of which Bullough took full advantage. Although G.W.R. played well, they failed to score themselves.

A week later, Tufnell Park were visitors to the Avenue Ground, the Town winning 4-3, moving up to second in the league table, just one point behind the leaders Southall. Tufnell didn't have an eleventh man, and played one man short at the back, thus the Hampstead forwards were often caught offside. Tufnell opened the scoring, Matthews netting with an unstoppable shot, but soon after, Hampstead were awarded two penalties. From the first, Poltock failed dismally, shooting yards wide, but Allwright, made no mistake with his, and later the Town took the lead with a goal from Saunders, with Poltock increasing it just before the interval. Hanniford renewed interest with two good goals for Tufnell, but Poltock gave Hampstead victory just a minute before the final whistle.