Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company for his workers at a time when 10- and 12-hour shifts were more common in industrial work. In 1895 Hills helped to set up a football club for the Works' employees, Thames Ironworks F.C. and within their first two years they had entered the FA Cup and the London League. As a result of the committee's desire to employ professional players, the Thames Ironworks F.C. was wound up in June 1900 and West Ham United F.C. was formed a month later. Merged with the engine builder John Penn and Sons in 1899 as the Thames Iron Works, Shipbuilding and Engineering
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