Thames Ironworks F.C. the time that the grounds were "good enough to stage an English Cup Final." On 11 September 1897, in their first game of the new season of the London League and also at their new ground, Thames beat Brentford 1–0. West Ham United would continue to use the stadium until their move to the Boleyn Ground in 1904. Thames Ironworks F.C. is featured in the TV series "Ripper Street" episode 4.5 "Men of Iron, Men of Smoke" Thames Ironworks F.C. Thames Ironworks Football Club, the club that later became West Ham United, was founded by Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Co.
Thames Ironworks F.C. Taylor returned to refereeing, handing over organizational duties to Ted Harsent, who became the first club secretary. The birth of Thames Ironworks F.C. coincided with the demise of Old Castle Swifts, the first professional football club in Essex. Thames took over the tenancy of Castle Swifts' Hermit Road ground in Canning Town and signed a number of Old Castle Swifts players, including former Woolwich Arsenal full back Robert Stevenson, who became the club's first ever captain and is credited as being the team's first player of note. The Ironworks played their first ever fixture against Royal Ordnance reserves on 7