1899-1900 Thames Ironworks : Southern League Division One

Committee Responsible For Team Selection

Thames Ironworks

1899-1900

NEW CENTURY - NEW NAME

Towards the end of June 1900 Thames Ironworks FC resigned from the Southern League and was wound up. This was the result of the parent company being forced to go public and issue 4,000 ten shillings (50p) shares to finance a takeover deal. A few days later, on 5th July 1900 the club was reformed as West Ham United and immediately re-elected to the Southern League. A new Secretary, Lew M. Bowen, a Swansea-born clerk at the Ironworks was appointed, along with a Board of Directors. Francis Payne, the club secretary, was given the task of finding good players for Thames Iron Works first season in the top division of the Southern League. According to one report, Arnold Hills, gave Payne £1,000 to find the best players available. Payne employed an agent and former professional footballer named Charles Bunyan to obtain a player based in Birmingham. Bunyan missed his appointment with the player targeted by Payne. He then approached another player he thought might be interested in joining the club. However, this player reported Bunyan to the Football Association. The FA held an investigation into the matter and as a result, Bunyan was suspended for two years. As for Francis Payne, he failed to attend the F.A. hearing and was suspended until he did. A suspension was also handed out to Thames Ironworks FC for two weeks beginning on September 1st and the club was fined £25. Payne resigned as Secretary and was eventually banned by the F.A. for 'involvement in the poaching of players and financial irregularities' for twelve months from January to December 31st 1900. A quote from a local newspaper at the time stated, correctly, if a little dramatically, that 'Francis Payne is banned until the next century.' With the resignation of Francis Payne, George Neil, the club's much respected full-back took over the reins as Club Secretary.

Special thanks to John Powles and his excellent book "IRON IN THE BLOOD : Thames Ironworks FC The club that became West Ham United" for allowing extracts to compile this feature and John Northcutt for his attention to statistical accuracy..

READING : Southern League Division One

Elm Park 3 - 0 (Atkinson 2, Adams) 16 September 1899 Att: 3,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Corbett, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

Thames began their Southern League First Division campaign with an away match at Reading, a club that had been members of the league since its inception in 1894/95. With the new players in the team the Ironworks were expected to do well, so much so that the local Reading press indicated that any club could raise a decent team with the necessary finance behind them. However, despite some good performances from Carnelly and Bradshaw up front, Dove at half back, and Dunn in defence, it was the home side that won the day by a solitary goal, although the Irons more than held their own.

CHATHAM UNITED : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 4 - 0 (Carnelly 2, McKay 2) 18 September 1899 Att: 1,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Corbett, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

The club's first home fixture came on the following Monday evening with Chatham being the visitors. Season ticket prices were now io/6d for the grandstand and enclosure, and 7/6d for rest of the ground. There was certainly no great rush to see the match as the attendance was just 1,000, which was a pity because Thames, after a battling and very even first half, ran out easy winners by four clear goals with McKay and Carnelly both grabbing two apiece.

Chatham United:

Frail, Harper, Humphrey, Ainger, Chapman, Perrins, May, Collins, Kaye, Clements, Dickenson

ROYAL ENGINEERS : FA Cup (Preliminary Round)

Memorial Grounds 6 - 0 (Joyce 3, McEachrane, McKay, Reid) 23 September 1899 Att: 1,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, McKay, Joyce, Reid, Bradshaw

The Ironworks next two Saturdays were taken up with the F.A. Cup. In the preliminary round the club had been drawn away to the Army side, Royal Engineers, who in the early years of the competition had been one of the leading clubs. They requested a change of venue for the match by foregoing ground advantage and it was switched to the Memorial Grounds where the Irons destroyed the opposition to the tune of 6-0, with Billy Joyce netting a hat-trick. A visit to Grays United in the next round saw the home side make a game of it in the first half, but although McManus missed a penalty, Thames then rattled in four goals to win the tie.

GRAYS UNITED : FA Cup (First Qualifying Round)

Recreation Ground 4 - 0 (Carnelly, Joyce, McKay, McManus) 30 September 1899 Att: 750

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

BRIGHTON UNITED : Southern League Division One

Sussex County Ground 1 - 0 (Bradshaw) 4 October 1899 Att: 700

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

MATCH EXPUNGED

Brighton United resigned from league after playing 22 matches in March 1900

A rearranged Southern League away fixture against Brighton United was played during the following week, with Thames victorious by the slender margin of i-o, although this result would be expunged before the end of the season due to Brighton's later demise.

BEDMINSTER : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 1 - 0 (Joyce [pen]) 7 October 1899 Att: 3,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

Four impressive victories brought an attendance of 3,000 to Canning Town for the visit of Bedminster who were unbeaten in the league and appeared a strong, burly outfit. The Irons, much to everyone's surprise, were all over their opponents right from the start and had their shooting been as good as their approach work, would have won by more than a solitary goal scored from a penalty by Joyce.

SHEPPEY UNITED : FA Cup (Second Qualifying Round)

Memorial Grounds 4 - 2 (Carnelly 2, Joyce 2) 14 October 1899 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

Sheppey United provided the opposition in the F.A. Cup Second Qualifying Round, with Carnelly and Joyce grabbing two goals each in a 4-2 victory, and ten days later Sheppey were again the opposition when the Ironworks opened their Thames & Medway Combination programme with a 3-3 draw on the Kent club's ground.

DARTFORD : FA Cup (Third Qualifying Round)

Away 7 - 0 (Carnelly 2, McKay 2, Bradshaw, Joyce, McEachrane) 28 October 1899 Att: 1,200

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Craig, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

Thames were drawn away to Dartford in the next round of the F.A. Cup and overwhelmed the home side with a seven-nil victory.

Despite being little more than a stone's throw away from Thames old ground at Hermit Road, the actual location of the Memorial Grounds made it very difficult to access from a transport point of view and this would not improve until the proposed West Ham Station on the London to Tilbury line was built. The club committee did at least attempt to assist where they were able. For the Southern League fixture with 'Spurs, albeit an away match at White Hart Lane, arrangements were made to run horse brakes and buses to and from Canning Town as a large crowd of supporters were to travel with the team. The club may not have had tremendous crowds in those early days, but they did have a hard core of enthusiastic supporters. The game with 'Spurs had been eagerly awaited, especially with the three former 'Spurs players being in the Thames team. There was a large contingent of Irons fans present, despite the heavy and persistent rain that turned the pitch into a quagmire. The local Ironworks correspondent jokingly stated 'it's a good job some of our men can swim, for the water and mud was pretty thick' He continued 'By the time the game had been in progress for half an hour the combined state of mud and water had transformed the players into dirt-bespattered figures, hardly distinguishable but for the once bright colours of the jerseys.'

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Southern League Division One

Northumberland Park 0 - 7 4 November 1899 Att: 7,000

Moore Dunn King Dove McManus McEachrane Craig McKay Joyce Carnelly Bradshaw

The game was fairly even to begin with, but it was noticeable that the Irons' forwards were not playing with the usual flow of recent matches and 'Spurs got on top, with Moore having to be at his very best to stem the tide, Joyce and Bradshaw combined well on one occasion and the home keeper had to make a save, but this was about the only time that the Irons looked dangerous in the first half during which 'Spurs scored twice.

The awful conditions affected the visitors more than 'Spurs but Carnelly had a much better half being denied by Waller in the home goal after two brilliant runs, but it was Thames defence that were having to hold out which they did until twenty minutes from the end when the third goal went in. The turning point between an ordinary defeat and a downright thrashing came straight afterwards when Dunn, who had played well in defence received an injury and had to retire. With both Joyce and McManus limping with knee injuries the Ironworks side collapsed and a further four goals were conceded.

The Thames committee and the supporters could not believe such a defeat, which caused quite some controversy and not a little bad feeling. On the Monday following the match the correspondent of the 'Morning Leader' stated 'In conversation with Mr Hills, Chairman of the Ironworks, I understand that the disaster to the team at Tottenham needs explanation. In the first place the pitch was unplayable. Several of the Committee men are of the opinion that the game should never have been started, and a protest is spoken of. At the conclusion, the Works supporters were amazed to learn that a league match had been played and not a friendly. It was thought that the referee ought to have examined the studs on the 'Spurs boots, and judging by the number of cuts and bruises there must have been something wrong. The following is a list of the injured:- Dunn, ricked hip, cuts and bruises; Joyce, three deep wounds on the right knee; McManus, knees badly cut; Moore, serious injury to thumb; King, badly bruised. In fact there is hardly a man in the team who does not bear injuries.' The newspaper's correspondent continued This is serious and demands explanation. For looking at the result—7-0—it is very evident that peculiar circumstances must have entered into the affray to have produced such a licking' as that which the Irons received.'

In the event there was no protest and the result stood, which is hardly surprising, but it is worth mentioning that Dunn, McManus and Joyce all missed the following two fixtures, one in the Thames & Medway Combination and one in the Southern League, but it was in the former match just two days later that the Irons, with five reserves in the team, and quickly wanting to make amends took it out on Grays United at the Memorial Grounds demolishing the Essex side and cruising to their biggest ever score in a victory by 11-1, with Carnelly scoring four and Bradshaw five goals.

There then followed three matches with New Brompton, one in the Southern League which, after all the recent goals, finished o-o, with Moore saving a penalty. That score was repeated in the next round of the F.A. Cup, but in the replay Thames ran out winners by 2-0 with Tommy Moore again saving a penalty at a crucial moment in the game. The final game in November saw the Irons gaining a slender i-o home victory over Swindon Town. After the game the band played 'See the conquering heroes' and 'Let 'em all come', meaning Millwall, who were the next opponents in the F.A. Cup. So, despite the fiasco at White Hart Lane, Thames were

NEW BROMPTON : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds

0 - 0

11 November 1899

Att: 2,000

Moore, Craig, King, Gentle, Dove, McEachrane, Janes, McKay, Carnelly, Reid, Bradshaw

NEW BROMPTON : FA Cup (Fourth Qualifying Round)

Priestfield Stadium 0 - 0 18 November 1899 Att: 3,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Bigden, McEachrane, Gentle, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

NEW BROMPTON : FA Cup (Fourth Qualifying Round Replay)

Memorial Grounds 2 - 0 (Carnelly, McKay) 23 November 1899 Att: 3,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Bigden, McEachrane, Adams, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

SWINDON TOWN : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 1 - 0 (Adams) 25 November 1899 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Bigden, McEachrane, Adams, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Walker

BRISTOL CITY : Southern League Division One

Away 0 - 2 2 December 1899 Att: 3,000

Sunderland, Craig, King, Bigden, McManus, McEachrane, Corbett, McKay, Carnelly, Joyce, Walker

MILLWALL ATHLETIC : FA Cup (Fifth Qualifying Round)

Memorial Grounds 1 - 2 (Bradshaw) 9 December 1899 Att: 13,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Dove, McEachrane, Adams, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

BRISTOL CITY : Southern League Division One

Away 0 - 2 2 December 1899 Att: 3,000

Sunderland, Craig, King, Bigden, McManus, McEachrane, Corbett, McKay, Carnelly, Joyce, Walker

SOUTHAMPTON : Southern League Division One

The Dell 1 - 3 (McKay) 16 December 1899 Att: 4,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Dove, McEachrane, Adams, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Bradshaw

MILLWALL ATHLETIC : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 0 - 2 23 December 1899 Att: 12,000

Moore, Craig, Adams, Dove, Bigden, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Carnelly, Joyce, Walker

MATCH ABANDONED

Fog 71 minutes (see 28 April 1900)

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Southern League Division One

Kensal Rise 0 - 2 25 December 1899 Att: 4,000

Moore, Craig, Adams, Gilmore, Bigden, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Carnelly, Joyce, Walker

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 1 - 2 (McKay) 30 December 1899 Att: 4,000

Moore, Craig, Adams, Gilmore, Turner, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Carnelly, Joyce, Walker

GRAVESEND UNITED : Southern League Division One

Away 2 - 5 (Joyce, Walker) 1 January 1900 Att: 500

Sunderland, Craig, Turner, Gilmore, Bigden, McEachrane, Adams, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Walker

MATCH ABANDONED

Fog 75 mins : rearranged for 24 January 1900

CHATHAM UNITED : Southern League Division One

Maidstone Road Ground 1 - 3 (Carnelly) 6 January 1900 Att: 5,000

Moore, King, Adams, Gilmore, Turner, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Walker

READING : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 0 - 1 13 January 1900 Att: 4,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Bigden, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

BRISTOL ROVERS : Southern League Division One

Away 1 - 1 (McKay) 15 January 1900 Att: 6,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Bigden, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Turner, Taylor

SHEPPEY UNITED : Southern League Division One

Botany Road 3 - 0 (Carnelly, Joyce, Mckay) 20 January 1900 Att: 4,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Bigden, Stewart, Craig, Carnelly, Joyce, McKay, Allan, McEachrane

GRAVESEND UNITED : Southern League Division One

Away 1 - 2 (Carnelly) 24 January 1900 Att: 1,200

Moore, Dunn, King, Bigden, Stewart, Craig, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, McEachrane

BRIGHTON UNITED : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 2 - 1 (Carnelly, McKay [pen]) 3 February 1900 Att: 1,200

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

MATCH EXPUNGED

Brighton United resigned from league after 22 matches in March 1900

BEDMINSTER : Southern League Division One

Away 1 - 3 (Carnelly) 10 February 1900 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Craig, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

BRISTOL ROVERS : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 0 - 0 17 February 1900 Att: 4,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

PORTSMOUTH : Southern League Division One

Away 0 - 2 24 February 1900 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Bigden, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 0 - 0 10 March 1900 Att: 9,000

Moore, Dunn, King, Dove, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

NEW BROMPTON : Southern League Division One

Away 1 - 3 (Atherton [og]) 17 March 1900 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, Gilmore, Bigden, Stewart, McEachrane, Allan, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor

GRAVESEND UNITED : Southern League Division One

Memorial Grounds 2 - 1 (Carnelly 2) 24 March 1900 Att: 2,000

Moore, Dunn, Turner, Allan, Stewart, McEachrane, Janes, McKay, Joyce, Carnelly, Taylor