Thames Ironworks F.C. 1897-1898

Thames Ironworks' new venue, the Memorial Grounds, was opened on Jubilee Day, 1897, to coincide with the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Victoria on the throne. Thames' new home had cost £20,000 of Arnold Hills' money to build. It was situated close to where West Ham station now stands. The site retains its sporting connection in present times as the home East London Rugby Club. Aside from a football pitch, the stadium contained a cycle track, a cinder running track and one of the largest outdoor swimming pools in England. It was said at the time that the grounds were "good enough to stage an English Cup Final." To coincide with this raised standard, for the first time ever the club committee had introduced players' insurance. This meant the players would be covered against loss of wages caused by injuries sustained from playing football.

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 F.C. 1–0. This was closely followed by the first two qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. On 18 September Thames overcame Redhill F.C. thanks to an own goal and a brace from Scottish defender Simon Chisholm. This was followed by a game against the Royal Engineers Training Battalion which Thames won 2–1 with goals from another of The Irons' Scotsmen Jimmy Reid and former Reading F.C. centre forward Edward Hatton.

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