London League (football) London League (football) The London League was a football competition that was held in the London and surrounding areas of south-east England from 1896 until 1964. In 1896 the president of the London League was Arnold Hills founder of Thames Ironworks F.C. (which later reformed as West Ham United). One of the men who helped draft the rules of the competition was Francis Payne, club secretary of Thames Ironworks F.C. in 1897. The league started with three divisions, the 3rd Grenadier Guards winning the inaugural championship. The league fluctuated between having a single division and reaching four divisions. Before World
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