For the 1896/97 season the club entered the
London League and new players arrived in the form of Edward Hatton, Johnny
Morrison, Fred Chalkley and Frank Dandridge. The campaign started well as
Vampires were beaten 3–0 at home in the opening game. Another home win followed
when the 1st Scots Guards were beaten 2–0. This was the last match played at
Hermit Road; the club had found a new ground at Browning Road, East Ham.
The FA Cup brought a trip to Kent where the Ironworks were overwhelmed, losing 8–0 to Sheppey United, although an injury to Hatton caused them to play with ten men for most of the game.
In the West Ham Charity Cup first Claremont Athletic were beaten 2–0, followed by another 2–0 victory over Manor Park in the semi-final. Thames were then paired with West Ham Garfield in the final. As current holders, Thames were the favourites, but they relinquished their hold on the trophy after losing 1–0. A further competition entered was the London Senior Cup, where they scored victories over West Norwood, Marcians, Wandsworth and Barking Woodville. Up next were Bromley and after two draws the Kent club came through, winning 2–0 on their ground.
In the league, Thames were doing well after wins against Vampires and Ilford but this all changed on 1 April following a 5–0 defeat against 3rd Grenadier Guards. The Guards eventually won the league while Thames finished as runners-up. It was announced by owner Arnold Hills that he would help fund the building of a new ground, which would also be used for athletics and cycling. The work was soon completed and in June 1897 the company held a gala day for the opening. There were 8,000 present to see the enclosure, which was named the Memorial Grounds.
The FA Cup brought a trip to Kent where the Ironworks were overwhelmed, losing 8–0 to Sheppey United, although an injury to Hatton caused them to play with ten men for most of the game.
In the West Ham Charity Cup first Claremont Athletic were beaten 2–0, followed by another 2–0 victory over Manor Park in the semi-final. Thames were then paired with West Ham Garfield in the final. As current holders, Thames were the favourites, but they relinquished their hold on the trophy after losing 1–0. A further competition entered was the London Senior Cup, where they scored victories over West Norwood, Marcians, Wandsworth and Barking Woodville. Up next were Bromley and after two draws the Kent club came through, winning 2–0 on their ground.
In the league, Thames were doing well after wins against Vampires and Ilford but this all changed on 1 April following a 5–0 defeat against 3rd Grenadier Guards. The Guards eventually won the league while Thames finished as runners-up. It was announced by owner Arnold Hills that he would help fund the building of a new ground, which would also be used for athletics and cycling. The work was soon completed and in June 1897 the company held a gala day for the opening. There were 8,000 present to see the enclosure, which was named the Memorial Grounds.
