page_title: Thames Ironworks F.C.
section_title: 1898–1899
hierarchical_section_title: Thames Ironworks F.C. / History / 1898–1899
caption_attribution_description: English: Thames Ironworks F.C. in 1899. Back (left to right): C. Barker, A. Woodcock, Charles Craig, H. Sunderland, Henry Gilmore, F. Adams. Second row: Fred Corbett, Charlie Dove, Tommy Dunn, Syd King, James Bigden, L. Foss, M. Higham, Sam Wright (trainer). Seated; W. James, Ken McKay, Tommy Moore, Albert Carnelly, Tom Bradshaw. Front; J. Walker, Peter McManus, Bill Joyce, Roderick McEachrane, Simon Chisholm.
context_page_description: Thames Ironworks Football Club, the club that later became West Ham United, was founded by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd owner Arnold Hills and foreman Dave Taylor in 1895. Thames Ironworks took over the tenancy of The Old Castle Swifts' Hermit Road ground in Canning Town until their eventual eviction in October 1896. They would briefly play at Browning Road in East Ham, before moving to the Memorial Grounds, a stadium which was situated close to where West Ham station now stands. The ground was built at Arnold Hills' own expense, costing £20,000.
  Thames Ironworks were West Ham Charity Cup winners in 1895–96 and London League runners up and champions in 1896–97 and 1897–98. They were promoted to Southern League Division One in 1898–99 as Southern League Division Two Champions. They retained their Southern League status the following season by beating Fulham 5–1 in a Test Match. At the end of June 1900, Thames Ironworks F.C. resigned from the Southern League and were officially wound up. On 5 July 1900 they reformed under the new name of West Ham United F.C. and accepted an offer of the Southern League place left vacant by Thames Ironworks.
context_section_description: 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. New signings came thick and fast and included the controversial capture of goalkeeper Tommy Moore from arch-rivals Millwall Athletic. The team further strengthened defensively with the signing of Scottish left-half Roddy McEachrane, who worked at the Iron Works.  The team's attacking options were increased with the signings of winger Patrick Leonard from Manchester City and the snaring of centre forward David Lloyd from former rivals 3rd Grenadier Guards.
  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.  In a Southern League game away to Wycombe Wanderers on 29 October, The Irons missed their train and arrived at the ground an hour late.  The obviously unsettled side lost the game 1–4.  This was to be Thames Ironworks' last defeat of the season, and they could go on to win an impressive 17 of their last 18 games, drawing the other game.  In an away game against Maidenhead on 31 December 1898, which Thames Ironworks won 4–0, Charlie Dove completed the distinction of playing in every position for the club when he deputised for goalkeeper Tommy Moore.
  Thames Ironworks played their first game of the new year at the Memorial Grounds on 14 January 1899, when they entertained Wycombe.  This time, the Wycombe goalkeeper missed the train, and the team began the game with only ten players on the pitch.  The final score of 4–1 was a complete reverse of their previous encounter.
  Already confirmed as Southern League Division Two champions, having won the previous 14 games, Thames Ironworks showed little restraint for the final game of the season against Maidenhead on 15 April 1899.  With the largest home crowd of the season of 3000 spectators, The Irons demolished the bottom club of the division 10–0. The goals included four from Patrick Leonard and a hat-trick from David Lloyd.  Although they won the Southern League Second Division by 9 points, 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, and had beaten The Irons two and a half years previously 8–0 in an FA Cup game.  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.
caption: The 1899 team.
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