TIMELINE of the HAMMERS

THAMES IRONWORKS

Although Dave Taylor, a foreman in the shipbuilding department, undertook the task of forming a football club within Thames Ironworks in the summer of 1895, the idea was not his alone nor was it a 'spur of the moment' decision. With the demise of the Old Castle Swifts there were a number of its former players who were employed at the Ironworks and now found themselves without a club.

Arnold Hills, who had been involved in a bitter industrial dispute with his employees that year, thought that the formation of a football club might help improve the mood of his workforce. On 29 June, 1895, Dave Taylor announced in Hills quarterly Thames Iron Works Gazette, that he intended to establish a football club.

The club was financed by members' subscriptions and a generous contribution from the Thames Iron Works. It was run by a club committee made up of "clerks, foreman or supervisors at the Iron works". As over 50 men had joined the club, it was necessary to find enough matches for two teams.

Home games took place at Hermit Road, Canning Town. It had previously been used by Old Castle Swifts, a company club sponsored by Donald Currie, the owner of the Castle Shipping Line. Old Castle Swifts had been the first professional football club in Essex but it went out of business at the end of the 1894-1895 season.

Francis Payne was appointed as club secretary. The local newspaper praised Arnold Hills for forming a football team: "If this example were only followed by other large employers, it would lead to much good feeling."

1895-96

IRONS KICK-OFF

The newly formed Thames Ironworks FC played their very first match on 7 September, 1895 against the Royal Ordnance Reserves at their Hermit Road Ground in Canning Town.

12 October 1895

In what would be their first competitive game, Thames Ironworks took on Chatham Town in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, losing 0–5 before a crowd of 3,000.

Watson, Tull, Williams, Stewart, French, Parks, Woods, Sage, Lindsay, Freeman, Darby

14 December 1895

Their biggest defeat came when they lost in a friendly game away to Millwall Athletic 0–6. Millwall were also an 'Iron Works' side, whose south London company competed with Thames Iron Works for contacts. The rivalry between the two clubs would continue into the present day.

16 December 1985

In the presence of a large crowd an attempt was made to carry out a match by the aid of electric light at Canning Town but it was not altogether a success. Twelve lights each of 2,000 candle power had been fitted up by the Thames Ironworks Shipbuilding Co Ltd but the engine was not powerful enough to keep these going and as the light varied a great deal little or nothing could be seen at times. The Irons won by 3-1. A Charlie Dove brace and another from Collins.

West Ham Charity Cup

An epic confrontation followed as Thames Ironworks faced Barking in the final of the West Ham Charity Cup on 21 March 1896 at The Old Spotted Dog Ground in Upton Lane. Drawing 2–2, the match was replayed a week later, and again the teams drew, this time 0–0. Eventually the final was replayed for the second time on 20 April 1896 and "The Irons" won 1–0, lifting a trophy in their first season.

"In the summer of 1895, when the clanging of "hammers" was heard on the banks of Father Thames and the great warships were rearing their heads above the Victoria Dock Road, a few enthusiasts, with the love of football within them, were talking about the grand old game and the formation of a club for the workers of the Thames Iron Works Limited. There were platers and riveters in the Limited who had chased the big ball in the north country. There were men among them who had learned to give the subtle pass and to urge the leather goalwards. No thought of professionalism, I may say, was ever contemplated by the founders. They meant to run their club on amateur lines and their first principal was to choose their team from men in the works."

Syd King, Thames Ironworks player and West Ham United manager

1902–1932.

THAMES IRONWORKS FC

West Ham Charity Cup Winners

For the 1896/97 season the club entered the London League. The campaign started well as Vampires were beaten 3–0 at home in the opening game. Another home win followed when the 1st Scots Guards were beaten 2–0. This was the last league match played at Hermit Road; the club had found a new ground at Browning Road, East Ham.

The FA Cup brought a trip to Kent where the Ironworks were overwhelmed, losing 8–0 to Sheppey United, although an injury to Hatton caused them to play with ten men for most of the game.

In the West Ham Charity Cup first Claremont Athletic were beaten 2–0, followed by another 2–0 victory over Manor Park in the semi-final. Thames were then paired with West Ham Garfield in the final. As current holders, Thames were the favourites, but they relinquished their hold on the trophy after losing 1–0. A further competition entered was the London Senior Cup, where they scored victories over West Norwood, Marcians, Wandsworth and Barking Woodville. Up next were Bromley and after two draws the Kent club came through, winning 2–0 on their ground.

In the league, Thames finished as runners-up. It was announced by owner Arnold Hills that he would help fund the building of a new ground, which would also be used for athletics and cycling. The work was soon completed and in June 1897 the company held a gala day for the opening. There were 8,000 present to see the enclosure, which was named the Memorial Grounds.

1896-97

21 August 1896

Thames Ironworks F.C. Have consented to fill the London League vacancy caused by the withdrawal of Royal Ordnance. The Irons 'kind' acceptance will avoid a considerable re-arrangement of the new Leagues fixtures.

5 December 1896

In their first-ever match at Browning Road, the Irons lost 2-3 to Leyton in a London Senior Cup first round tie.

LONDON LEAGUE (Division One)

Position: 2nd

Played: 12, Won: 7, Drawn: 2, Lost 3, F: 17, A: 17, Pts: 16

LONDON LEAGUE (Division One)

Memorial Recreation Grounds

Having started life at Hermit Road, Canning Town in 1895, the Thames Ironworks FC moved to a temporary home at Browning Road, East Ham, in 1896. The following year, at a cost of £20,000 to Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding chairman Arnold F. Hills, the club moved to the new Thames Ironworks athletic and cycle ground, at the Memorial Estate, Plaistow.

The ground had been developed by a small army of workmen under the supervision of Mr. Samuel Turner. Construction started on the open field on 14 February – aside from the central football field, the grounds included a cinder running track, tennis courts a pavilion and what Hills claimed to be both the largest swimming pool in England and the biggest cycle track, the project also included provision for four acres of turf to be put down. Hills considered this was something of a record in engineering terms, from a mere field to the finest track in the metropolis in just under four months.

The Memorial Recreation Grounds was officially opened on 19 June 1897 to coincide with the 60th year of Queen Victoria's reign. As a preliminary to the opening ceremony, Miss Taylor presented Mrs. Hills with a handsome bouquet of mixed flowers, and Archdeacon Stevens offered prayer. Mr. Arnold Hills then unveiled the dedication plaque and delivered a brief address.

Mr. George Johnson, a member of the Federated Clubs committee presented a silver hatchet to Mrs Hills as a souvenir of the occasion. With this she cut a cord, and immediately a large coloured balloon flew open and four and twenty pigeons sped away, in all directions. Simultaneously, two new club flags were run up, and with a salvo of artillery and the National Anthem from the band, the opening ceremony concluded.

Hills had chosen the Memorial Grounds site - next-door to the East London Cemetery and just a stone's throw from their previous Hermit Road home - in part due to the chairman's plans to build the new Manor Road railway station nearby. However, the project was delayed and the station - now the modern-day West Ham - was not completed for another four years. The delays had a negative effect on the crowds attending events at the new stadium.

Hills also expressed his desire to host the FA Cup final at the Memorial Grounds. The businessman claimed the venue could hold as many as 133,000 spectators. Following consideration, however, this dream was dashed by the Football Association.

Having opened, the development played host to a variety of sports meetings where various Athletic clubs would participate in foot racing along with cycling and motorcycle races. However it would not be until some four months later that Hills' Ironworks would take to the football pitch for the first time. Sports meetings were now combined to take place around London League fixtures and often attracted crowds in excess of 16,000 with net profits going to the club.

Third Prize won by

Wm G. Burrows

Thames Ironworks CyC at

Chelmsford July 18th 1903

1897-98

LONDON LEAGUE (Division One)

For their second season in the London League, the club committee introduced players' insurance for the first time. This meant the players would be covered against loss of wages caused by injuries sustained from playing football. On 11 September 1897, in their first game of the new season of the London League and also at their new Memorial Grounds stadium, Thames beat Brentford 1–0. "The Irons" went on to win their first six London League games.

2 October 1897

The home game against Leyton attracted the highest league home attendance to date. 2,500 spectators saw the Irons' 4-0 victory.

30 October 1897

In the return game with Leyton, Harry Hird became the first Irons' player to be sent off after disputing the referees decision in awarding Leyton their penalty.

LONDON LEAGUE (Division One)

Position: Champions

Played: 16, Won: 12, Drawn: 3, Lost 1, F: 47, A: 15, Pts: 27

THAMES IRONWORKS FEDERATED CLUBS

September 1897

Speaking at a meeting of the Thames Ironworks Federated Clubs Mr Arnold F Hills said
"As an old footballer myself I would say to the players' get into good condition at the beginning of the season".

The Football Club colours at this time were:
Royal Cambridge Blue shirts White knickers and Red cap, belt and stockings

Players for 1897-98
Goal: D. Furnell
Backs: W, Tranter, F. Chalkley
Half-backs: C. Dove, F. Dandridge, D. Bird, S. Chisholm
Forwards: A. Older, G. Gresham, E. Hatton, J. Reid, Edwards

Furnell and Chisholm were new players, Tranter was currently being troubled with rheumatism in his leg.

Any Member of the Thames Ironworks employees can enrol with the Football Club on payment of 2/6 (12.5p) for the season.

THAMES IRONWORKS FC

London League Champions

Thames Ironworks F.C. were also successful in their application to the Southern League and would begin the following season in the Southern League.

During the summer of 1898, Thames Ironworks F.C. became a professional outfit for the first time, to match their new status as members of the Southern League.

"Remarkable progress has marked the progress of this club. The committee will have difficulty selecting from three good goalkeepers.
Moore (ex-Millwall), Rafter (ex-3rd Grenadier Guards) Heath (ex-West Ham Garfield)
Tranter and Neil will be assisted at full back by A.E. Marjeram from Swanscombe.
The 'halves' include S.P. Chisholm (from Inverness Thistle), D. Lloyd (3rd Grenadier Guards), Rod MacEachrane (Inverness), L. McEwan (Renfrew), C. Dove and Chas Barker.
The forwards will be chosen from: F. Brett (Swanscombe), R. Cobb (Montrose & Millwall), G. Gresham, J. Reid (Reading), H. Hird (Stockton), S. Hay (Renfrew), A.E. Boston (Luton Star), L. Foss (Old St Stephens) and W. Atkinson (Chatham).
With so much talent at their disposal the committee should at all times place a good team in the field with very little difficulty".

The committee have arranged buses to run between Canning Town Station and Memorial Grounds on match days.

1898-99

The Ironworks competed in the Southern League (Division Two London) which was formed on the basis of previous season Division Two. A total of 12 teams contest the division, including eight sides from previous season and four new teams.

10 September 1898

They kicked off the season on 10 September 1898 away to Shepherd's Bush, and were in fine form, beating the West London outfit 3–0.

24 September 1898

First home game at the Memorial Grounds against Brentford. The visitors were late arriving and the kick off was put back to 4:15pm (from 3:30). Two goals from Sam Hay and another from Charlie Dove in a 3-1 win.

15 April 1899

The last game of the campaign against Maidenhead, and the Ironworkers biggest win thus far in their 4 years experience. A three goal half-time lead was turned into a 10 goal rout. Moore in the Irons' goal had so little to do that he often left his goal unprotected and played up with the forwards.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division Two)

Position: Champions

Played: 22, Won: 19, Drawn: 1, Lost 2, F: 64, A: 16, Pts: 39

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division Two)

THAMES IRONWORKS FC

Southern League (Division Two) Champions

As Southern League Division Two champions, Thames Ironworks were required to play Test Matches to decide their promotion to Division One. The first came against Cowes Sports on 22 April. The game was played at the supposedly neutral East Ferry Road ground of Irons' rivals Millwall. A 10,000 strong crowd saw Thames Ironworks win the game 3–1, with goals coming from David Lloyd, Patrick Leonard and Henderson.

The Ironworks then had to face Sheppey United, who had finished 12th in the 13 team Southern League Division One. The game took place at Chatham Town's ground on 29 April and finished 1–1, with David Lloyd once again the goalscorer. Before a replay could be staged, it was decided to enlarge the top division of the Southern League to 19 teams, thus enabling Thames Ironworks F.C. to join the higher tier.

1899-1900

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division One)

It is expected that the new station at West Ham (Manor Road) on the L.T. and S. Railway will be completed half-way through the season and this will be a relief for all who have trudged over the heath at Canning Town on the way to matches.

Thames Ironworks are one of four new sides competing in the Senior Division of the Southern League in 1899-1900. The others are - Bristol Rovers, Portsmouth and Queens Park Rangers.

16 September 1899

Ironworks lost their first fixture in the Southern League Division One 1–0 away at Reading.

18 September 1899

Biggest league win of the season, 4–0 home win against Chatham Town.

28 October 1899

Biggest win of the season, in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup on 28 October, trouncing Dartford away 7–0. However, The Irons good form soon ended on 4 November when in a league game they lost 7–0 at White Hart Lane to Tottenham Hotspur.

9 December 1899

The Irons' FA Cup game at home to Millwall was the largest attendance at a football match at the Memorial Grounds since their opening two-and-a-half years ago. The Lions were comfortably placed in the Southern League and, as was confidently expected by their support, they won 2-1.

28 April 1900

The last game of the season the Irons beat Millwall away 1–0. After the game the players retired but reappeared shortly afterwards and played 19 minutes football outstanding from the game that was abandoned back in December. In that game Millwall were leading 2-0 when the match was stopped. No further goals were added.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division One)

Position: 14th

Played: 28, Won: 8, Drawn: 5, Lost 15, F: 30, A: 45, Pts: 21

"You can always tell an Ironworks Committee man now. He wears a blue ribbon a metal badge and a big broad smile"

To bolster the squad for their first season in Southern League Division One, Arnold Hills supplied a transfer fund of £1,000 to club secretary Francis Payne, who raided Tottenham Hotspur for inside-right Kenny McKay, centre-forward Bill Joyce and left-winger Tom Bradshaw, who was immediately appointed captain of the team.

Thames Ironworks finished 14 out of 15 in the Southern League Division One and would be required to play a Test Match to preserve their divisional status.

Only two days later at a game held at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane Ground, The Irons faced a Fulham team featuring former centre-forward David Lloyd. Thames Ironworks won 5–1, with Bill Joyce claiming his third hat-trick of the season at his former stomping ground. Thames Ironworks had survived their first season in the top division of the Southern League.

WEST HAM UNITED

In June 1900, Thames Ironworks was wound up but was immediately relaunched on 5 July 1900 as West Ham United Football Club. Potential names of Canning Town, West Ham and Borough of West Ham were all considered, before West Ham United was decided upon.

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1900-01

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SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division One)

Position: 6th

Played: 28, Won: 14, Drawn: 5, Lost: 9, F: 40, A: 28, Pts: 33

SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division One)

1 September 1900 Gravesend United

Hughie MONTEITH, Walter TRANTER, Charles CRAIG, Charles DOVE, Luke RAISBECK, Roderick McEACHRANE, Fergus HUNT, William GRASSAM, James REID,

Albert KAYE, Frederick FENTON

8 September 1900 Millwall Athletic

Thomas MOORE, Robert ALLAN

29 September 1900 Bristol City

Fred CORBETT

6 October 1900 Swindon Town

Syd KING

13 October 1900 Watford

George NEIL

24 November 1900 Bristol Rovers

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SOUTHERN LEAGUE (Division One)

Position: 3rd

Played: 36, Won: 17, Drawn: 7, Lost: 12, F: 65, A: 51, Pts: 41

War-Time : London Combination

West Ham United Club Historian : Welcome to the Private memorabilia collection of 'theyflysohigh'

TIMELINE of the HAMMERS

THAMES IRONWORKS

1895-96

1896-97

Memorial Recreation Grounds

1897-98

1898-99

1899-1900

WEST HAM UNITED

1900-01

1901-02

1902-03

1903-04

1904-05

1905-06

1906-07

1907-08

1908-09

1909-10

1910-11

1911-12

1912-13

1913-14

1914-15

1915-16

1916-17

1917-18

1918-19

WEST HAM UNITED ONLINE MUSEUM