Dave Taylor (Thames Ironworks F.C. founder) and their reserves for the club's inaugural season of 1895–96. Before Thames Ironworks played their first game Dave Taylor returned to refereeing and the organisational duties of the club were handed over to another Thames Iron Works employee, Ted Harsent, who became the first official club secretary. Dave Taylor (Thames Ironworks F.C. founder) Dave Taylor was one of the co-founders of Thames Ironworks, the team that became West Ham United, in 1895. He was a foreman at the Thames Iron Works as well as being a local football referee. Taylor approached the Ironworks owner Arnold Hills with the idea of
West Kent Football Club rules. They used the Imperial Arms at Chislehurst as their headquarters. However, in 1874 it became exclusively a rugby football club and changed its colours from orange and black to white jerseys with a Kentish Horse badge, white knickerbockers and blue stockings. The club changed its colours in 1881 to blue and white jerseys and in 1882 to blue and amber. Opponents on its extensive season list included Blackheath FC, Richmond FC, The Gipsies and Ravenscourt Park. In 1886 the members decided to give up rugby and played Association Football only. On 26 January 1871, 32 members representing twenty-one London