Playing Kit

West Ham United Football Club came into existence in July 1900, five years after the formation of its predecessor, Thames Ironworks FC. The works-based team had taken its first steps to becoming a more professional outfit when the management decided to pay wages to team members.

This was against the Victorian ideals of Ironworks Managing Director Arnold Hills, who had originally introduced activity clubs – including the football club – in the mid 1890s.

At 14, Hills had began his education at Harrow School before moving on to University College, Oxford, where he became a renowned athlete. With Harrow’s colour being cobalt blue and Oxford’s being dark blue the colour scheme foundations were begining to be laid.