Dave Taylor (Thames Ironworks F.C. founder)

For other people named David Taylor, see David Taylor (disambiguation).

Dave Taylor was one of the co-founders of Thames Ironworks F.C., the team that became West Ham United F.C., in 1895.

He was a foreman at the Thames Iron Works as well as being a local football referee.

He approached the Ironworks owner Arnold Hills with the idea of starting a works football team, and with his financial aid was able to announce on 29 June 1895 the following in the company's weekly journal:

"Mr. Taylor, who is working in the shipbuilding department, has undertaken to get up a football club for next winter and I learn that quoits and bowls will also be added to the attractions." - Thames Iron Works Gazette.

He organised the half-a-crown year's membership for fifty would-be players and spent that summer arranging the fixtures for the Thames Ironworks team and their reserves.

Before Thames Ironworks played their first game Dave Taylor returned to refereeing and the organisational duties of the club were handed over to another Thames Iron Works employee called Ted Harsent, who became the first official club secretary,

See also

• Thames Ironworks F.C. season 1895-96

References

• Blows, Kirk & Hogg, Tony (2000). The Essential History of West Ham United. Headline. ISBN 0-7472-7036-8. 
• West Ham United F.C. Brief History and Player & People List

Preceded by No one

Thames Ironworks F.C. Co-founder 1895

Succeeded by Ted Harsent (Club Secretary) 1895-1897

Persondata
Name	Taylor, Dave
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death