1895:
Arnold Hills, Managing Director of Thames Ironworks, gave permission and then largely funded the formation of a football club for workers in his ship-building company.
1898:
Thames Ironworks FC turn professional and elected to the Southern League. Home matches are played at Hermit Road ground.
1900:
Thames Ironworks FC disbanded and the Club reform as West Ham United FC.
1901:
Appointment of E.S. (Syd) King as Club secretary. He later became manager.
1904:
West Ham United moved from the Memorial Grounds (Canning Town) to the Boleyn Ground in Green Street, Upton Park. Played our first home game on September 2 against Millwall (won 3-0) in the Southern League. Billy Bridgeman was credited with all three goals.
1912:
Charlie Paynter appointed first team trainer and coach.
1913:
Danny Shea transferred to Blackburn Rovers for a then record fee of £2,000.
1915-18:
Played in London Combination war-time competition.
1919:
Elected to the Football League and played first Second Division game on August 30 against Lincoln City at Upton Park. Drew 1-1.
1921:
The fans were in uproar when the great Syd Puddefoot was transferred to Falkirk for £5,000 - a then record fee for a player moving from an English to a Scottish club. December 27 - First home game against foreign opposition. Beat Haarlem (Holland) 4-2.
1923:
April 28 - West Ham United played in the first Wembley FA Cup Final against Bolton Wanderers and lost 2-0 before an estimated crowd of over 250,000. Despite the disappointment, Hammers still won promotion to the First Division. May 1 - first English team to visit Germany after World War One. First match in Division One, away to Sunderland, drew 0-0. First home game in the top flight against Arsenal, won 1-0.