West Ham United F.C. was created by Arnold Hills and Dave Taylor.
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 .. West Ham United. West Ham United F.C.. Dave Taylor. Dave Taylor ( Thames Ironworks F.C. founder ). Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. Arnold Hills. Arnold Hills. Thames Ironworks took over the tenancy of The Old Castle Swifts ' Hermit Road ground in Canning Town until their eventual eviction in October 1896 .. Hermit Road. Hermit Road. Old Castle Swifts. Old Castle Swifts F.C.. Canning Town. Canning Town. 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 .. Browning Road. Browning Road. Memorial Grounds. Memorial Grounds. East Ham. East Ham. West Ham station. West Ham station. The ground was built at Arnold Hills ' own expense , costing # 20,000 .. Arnold Hills. Arnold Hills. Thames Ironworks were West Ham Charity Cup winners in 1895 -- 96 and London League runners up and champions in 1896 -- 97 and 1897 -- 98 .. London League. London League ( football ). West Ham Charity Cup. West Ham Charity Cup. They were promoted to Southern League Division One in 1898 -- 99 as Southern League Division Two Champions .. Southern League. Southern Football League. Southern League Division One. Southern Football League. They retained their Southern League status the following season by beating Fulham 5 -- 1 in a Test Match .. Southern League. Southern Football League. Fulham. Fulham F.C.. At the end of June 1900 , Thames Ironworks F.C. resigned from the Southern League and were officially wound up .. Southern League. Southern Football League. 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 .. West Ham United. West Ham United F.C.. Southern League. Southern Football League