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
1897–98 Thames Ironworks F.C. season the season with a 100% home record. In total they had won twelve and drawn three of their sixteen London League games, only losing in the game away to Brentford. On the way to the title they had scored 47 goals and conceded 15, the best offensive and defensive record in the division. Thames Ironworks F.C. were also successful in their application to the Southern League and would begin the following season in Southern League Division Two. 1897–98 Thames Ironworks F.C. season The 1897–98 season was Thames Ironworks' third season after the club's formation in 1895. Thames Ironworks' new venue,