This is the start of a three part series looking into the names, faces and background of West ham chairman in our 114 year history.
In this first installment I will cover the creation of West Ham United in 1900 until 1935. The second installment will cover the ‘Cearns family era’ between 1935 and 1992 then the final installment of the modern day era of Terry Brown in 1992 up until Mr Sullivan and Mr Gold in 2010. Although Arnold Hills was the major shareholder of West Ham United as well as founder and chairman of the Thames Ironworks he never held the position of Chairman of West Ham United. Arnold Hills descendants only sold their remaining shares in 2006 when Charles Warner sold 4,252,000 of West Ham shares for £17.9m to the Icelandic’s breaking his family’s 111 year connection with the football club.
All of the first six West Ham United chairman can be seen in this 1901 photo of directors.
Cornelius Edward Osborn August 1900 – January 1901
The first West Ham united chairman was born in Marylebone, West London in 1848. In the 1901 Census he was listed as manager of Thames Ironworks Federal club,which was situated at 55 Barking Road, this was also listed as the offices of West Ham United football club, and also the building where the club was founded. The building is situated opposite Rathbone Market, next to the old Nat West building which is now a dentist. At the time he was West Ham Chairman he was living in Ilford. Later in 1911 he left the East End to become a music teacher. He died in 1932.
Albert Charles Davis 4th Feb 1901 (one week only)
Albert was born in Shadwell (Wapping) around 1874 He was a director of West ham right up until his death in East ham in 1950. His brother George Davis was also a director of the club who in 1926 was listed as living at 442 Green Street, the former home of our current Chairman David Gold. He is recorded in a ships log along with the West Ham team returning from a club tour in South America, many of the players are listed in the same ships log. In the 1891 census he lived with his mother and step family in Forty Acre Lane, Canning town. Albert chaired the board meeting of the 4th February 1901 but it appears he also chaired previous meeting during the absence of Cornelius Osborn.
James (Jimmy) William Youngs Cearns 11th Feb 1901 (One week only)Jimmy was born in 1850 Deptford which was part of Kent in those days. He worked for the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company in Canning town as a stock taker and was on the first committee when a works football team was formed in 1895 and lived not far from the works in Swanscombe Street. He was then one of the inaugural directors when the team went professional and became West Ham United in 1900 . At the time of the formation of West Ham United he was Living in Plaistow park road which for those that know the area is where the Lord Stanley pub is now located. He remained a West ham United director until he died in 1934 still living in Plaistow and left just under £1500 in his will. His family went on to become chairmen from 1935 until 1992. It appears Cornelius Edward Osborn resigned and JWY Cearns became Chairman for one week. Jimmy only chaired one board meeting. The minutes of 11th February propose Lazzeluer Johnson should become the chairman.
Lazzeluer Johnson 18th February 1901 – 1902
Lazzeluer or ‘Loyzelner’ was born in 1868 at Newsham, Yorkshire and bought up in Gateshead. He was a Thames Ironworks clerk who lived 144 Osbourne Road, Forrest gate. Through his work as a clerk he had been previously been involved in the Thames Ironworks football team. He purchased 10 shares in 1900 when they were first made public.He died in 1932.
Edwin Smith August 1902 – March 1903
Edwin was born in Woolwich 1851, He lived in Howards Road, Plaistow at the time of the 1881 Census where he listed his profession as a timber convertor. He died in 1910.
Joseph Grisdale April 1903 – 1909
Joseph was born in 1858 in Liverpool. He listed his occupation as a Coppersmith and he worked in the Thames Irons works before going into business for himself. In the 1901 census he was living at 601 Barking Road, in between Greengate and the Boleyn pub. He died in 1921 in Hampshire.
William Frederick White 1909 – 1934
William was born in 1865 in Long Ditton Surrey, He was a barge builder by trade and lived in Orchard Place in the 1901 census which was across the river Lea directly opposite the Thames Iron works. In the 1891 census he was living in Canning Town not far from Hermit Road. wifts played there too, Hermit Road (or at least the use of it) was part of what Arnold Hills bought out in 1895 so it was the first ground of Thames Ironworks FC. He joined the Board of Directors of West Ham United in 1906 was elected Vice-Chairman in 1907, became Chairman in 1909 and later was also elected as President of the Club. For many years he lived at Central Park Road, East Ham. As a young man he played football for St Lukes, which became Excelsior, which became Old St Lukes, which merged with Castle Swifts to become Old Castle Swifts. Old Castle Swifts were bought out by Arnold Hills in 1895 and their assets were used in the formation of Thames Ironworks FC. Old St Lukes played at Hermit Road Canning Town and after the merger with Castle Swifts Old Castle Swifts played there too, Hermit Road. He also served on the committee of St Mary’s Hospital Plaistow, was president of The East Ham Schools Sports Association and The West Ham Schools Sports Association. He was vice president of The London Schools F.A. He died in his residence “Overdene” Pall Mall, Leigh on sea, Essex in 1934.
William White is sitting down in the middle of the front row in this photograph
Thanks to Nigel Kahn of www.mywhufc.net and Steve Marsh of theyflysohigh.co.uk for providing much of the research for this article. In the next article we will cover West ham United Chairman the Cearns family years 1935-1992.
You can view a map of where the West ham chairman lived within the East End HERE
Copy of the top of the first ever board minutes
p.s If you are related to one of the previous chairman listed above please drop me a line. I would love to hear from you to help expand the history of our former chairmen.