The Thames Ironworks shipbuilding company in London became the foundation for West Ham United under the guidance of Arnold Hills. Born in 1857 at Denmark Hill, Hills established himself as a prominent entrepreneur, sportsman, and activist in the United Kingdom, eventually chairing the industrial yard that provided the basis for the modern professional football club.
Athletic and Educational Background
Before entering the industrial sector, Hills attended Harrow School and later University College, Oxford, where he earned a B.A. in 1880. He demonstrated significant athletic talent, captaining the Harrow football team and securing two football blues at Oxford. He played for the university in the 1877 FA Cup Final and represented England as a forward in a 5–4 victory against Scotland at the Kennington Oval in 1879. Additionally, he held titles as the 1878 AAC mile champion and the 1879 three-mile champion.
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In 1880, Hills became a director of the Thames Iron Works, a shipbuilding firm established in 1846. Between 1860 and 1885, he lived in Canning Town, where he developed recreational facilities for his workforce. In 1895, he co-founded Thames Ironworks F.C. alongside Dave Taylor. As Managing Director starting in 1896, Hills provided financial support to the club, later restructuring it as a limited company where he served as the largest shareholder. Despite this, he maintained a policy of non-interference in the club’s daily operations.
Vegetarian Advocacy
Hills was a central figure in the temperance movement and vegetarianism, serving as the first president of the London Vegetarian Society, which he helped lead alongside Mahatma Gandhi. He also founded the Vegetarian Federal Union in 1889 and the Oriolet Fruitarian Hospital. His intellectual contributions included the 1892 book Vital Food, where he advocated for a raw, plant-based diet. He rejected the consumption of eggs and dairy, categorizing them as unnecessary transition foods and promoting fruit, nuts, and grains instead.
Final Years
The decline of the Thames Ironworks and personal health struggles, including disabling arthritis, marked his later years. Hills died in 1927 at Hammerfield, Penshurst, at the age of 69, and was interred at St Luke’s Church in Chiddingstone Causeway. His substantial shareholding in West Ham United was distributed among his family members after his passing, with portions remaining unsold for decades until 1961.
Fast facts
- Born: 1857, Denmark Hill
- Died: 1927, Penshurst
- Education: Harrow School and University College, Oxford
- Football caps: One appearance for England, 1879
- Key organizations: Thames Iron Works, London Vegetarian Society
- Notable publication: Vital Food (1892)
- Positions: Managing Director and Chairperson of Thames Iron Works
Questions readers ask
What was Arnold Hills's connection to West Ham United?
He co-founded the club as Thames Ironworks F.C. in 1895 and served as its primary financial backer and majority shareholder during its formative years.
What did Arnold Hills believe regarding vegetarianism?
He advocated for a raw, plant-based diet, arguing that eggs and dairy products were unnecessary for adults and should be replaced by fruits, nuts, and grains.
Achievements
- Educated at Harrow School and University College, Oxford
