Will Cearns Will Cearns William John Cearns also known as Will and Bill (1882 – 19 February 1950) was a chairman of English football club West Ham United and Managing Director of Wimbledon Stadium. Cearns was a member of a family which had been associated with West Ham since its 1900 foundation. His father, James "Jimmy" William Y. Cearns, worked for the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company and was on the first committee when a works team was formed in 1895. He was then one of the inaugural directors when the team went professional and became West Ham United in 1900. He
1899–1900 Thames Ironworks F.C. season the agent for two years, and Thames Ironworks for two weeks. The club also received a £25 fine. Payne, who was absent from the proceedings, was suspended, and soon resigned his post as club secretary. He was replaced in the position by Irons defender George Neill, thus beginning a history of the team appointing from within. Thames Ironworks lost their first fixture in the Southern League Division One 1–0 away at Reading on 16 September 1899, but managed their biggest league win of the season only two days later with 4–0 home win against Chatham. The game included two goals