Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company for his workers at a time when 10- and 12-hour shifts were more common in industrial work. In 1895 Hills helped to set up a football club for the Works' employees, Thames Ironworks F.C. and within their first two years they had entered the FA Cup and the London League. As a result of the committee's desire to employ professional players, the Thames Ironworks F.C. was wound up in June 1900 and West Ham United F.C. was formed a month later. Merged with the engine builder John Penn and Sons in 1899 as the Thames Iron Works, Shipbuilding and Engineering
Rugby union in London since the development of the professional game. These have included Loftus Road as well as high Wycombe and now Coventry. Their affiliated Amateur side, Wasps FC, still play at the original ground in Acton. Another premiership team with London roots, London Irish, currently play outside Greater London, playing at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, within the London commuter belt, owned by the football club Reading F.C.. They retain their administrative and training base in Sunbury-on-Thames. Another club with London roots, London Welsh, have bounced between the Premiership and Championship in recent years, having been promoted to or relegated from the