Why West Ham are known as the Hammers and the Irons
West Ham have been known as the Hammers and the Irons ever since their name change in 1901.
The London Stadium club now find themselves as a consistent Premier League outfit, with their last relegation coming in 2011.
This will see the East Londoners move into their 14th campaign since promotion from the Championship, with expectation piled on the shoulders of Graham Potter.
With that in mind, the E20 outfit did come from humble beginnings, the exact story which inspired fans to know their club by its various nicknames.
The Hammers and Irons nickname dates back to the early 1900s
When it is matchday for the Hammers, there is no getting away from fans throwing up their arms and shouting, “Come on you Irons!”
This is echoed in the stands with the same words being sung throughout every clash that the claret and blue outfit turn up to.
Despite this, the ex-Boleyn Ground club are most widely known as “the Hammers” by the press and media outlets.
Many may believe that this is due to the name, West Ham, but in reality, these nicknames date back six years prior to that identity.
- Arnold Hills was chairman of the Thames Ironworks and Shipping Company
- He wanted a work team and formed Thames Ironworks FC
- The club became professional in 1898 before going on to be named West Ham United
The origin came back in 1895 to the name “Thames Ironworks” and the fact that two diagonally crossing hammers have featured on the badge almost every year since.
This has sparked both labels to be utilised by fans and the like, with the origins spanning over 130 years for the East London side.
Why did Thames Ironworks change name to West Ham?
Many big clubs in English football have changed their names in their history, one famous example being Manchester United, previously known as Newton Heath until 1902.
That was also the case for the Hammers, who did so a year previously, but this was due to relocation as opposed to United’s reorganisation and financial problems.
Thames Ironworks were kicked out of their original home in Canning Town due to a disagreement over ownership and opted to move.
| Year(s) | Stadium |
| 1895-1897 | Hermit Road |
| 1897-1904 | Memorial Grounds |
| 1904-2016 | Boleyn Ground |
| 2016-present | London Stadium |
This eventually saw a move to Upton Park for the start of the 1904/05 season, where the Irons would remain until 2016.
There is so much history surrounding West Ham, their name and their various homes, with further memories hopefully in the pipeline in the coming seasons.
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