The Thames Ironworks was a major employer in the Canning Town area of East London until 1912. Its products included ships for the Royal Navy, linings for the Blackwall Tunnel and iron bridges. Some of the employees, such as boilermakers and ship’s platers, began to play organised football in the 1890s. As ambitions grew for the football club, professional players were employed. This eventually led to the Works withdrawing its support and the club we know today as West Ham United was then formed.

John Powles’ book tells the story of these formative years. Full statistical details of the games played by Thames Ironworks are included, with pen pictures of the principal players. His account of the club is interwoven with events of the time in the Works and in East London generally.